Items related to A Manual of Writer's Tricks
Synopsis
The author of How to Prepare Your Manuscript for a Publisher now presents more essential advice for fiction and nonfiction writers. This invaluable reference offers easy access to stratagems and tried-and-true literary shortcuts that help writers save time, improve style, and avoid common pitfalls.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
The bane of the bookstore appearance, for many touring authors, is the post-reading Q&A. "What time of day do you write?" is a typical question. "Do you use a computer, or pencil and paper?" If only the audience members could figure out whether morning or afternoon is best, laptop or No. 2 lead, then they, too, could write a great American novel. If only they knew the tricks that published authors know.
So it's understandable that David L. Carroll called his book A Manual of Writer's Tricks. There are tricks here--what to do when you're stuck, how to write about dry subjects, how to find authentic period words, how to improve your opening (try cutting your first page altogether, Carroll advises, as it's often the victim of "stage fright"). Carroll's quotations by other writers spruce up his text smartly. There is probably plenty of information in this book that would be of use to the beginning writer. But it is all so haphazardly and superficially presented that one could hardly deem it, as the book's subtitle purports, "essential advice." And some of the recommendations, such as avoiding "frequent repetition of a character's name by varying names and descriptions," seem outright wrong. Even more, one wishes Carroll had taken his own advice and trimmed some of the excess verbiage off this already slim volume. It's hard to trust a writer who hasn't made sure that he himself has homed in on (not, horrors, as he writes here, "honed in on") all the right words. Jane Steinberg
About the Author
David L. Carroll, a graduate of Harvard University, is an Emmy Award-winning television writer and the author of nearly fifty books, including How to Prepare Your Manuscript for a Publisher.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherDa Capo Press
- Publication date1995
- ISBN 10 156924877X
- ISBN 13 9781569248775
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages127
- Rating
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
A Manual of Writer's Tricks
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_380023694
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
A Manual of Writer's Tricks
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.37. Seller Inventory # G156924877XI3N00
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
A Manual of Writer's Tricks
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Reissue. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 4586143-75
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
A Manual of Writer's Tricks
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR002860249
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
A Manual of Writer's Tricks
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. A Manual of Writer's Tricks This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9781569248775
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
A Manual of Writer's Tricks
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9781569248775
Quantity: 1 available