Thursday, May 19, 2016

The Lie That Tells A Truth - The Friday 56 and Book Beginnings on Friday

   When my husband and I lived in Miami, I attended the Miami International Book Fair every year, and more than once I heard John Dufresne speak. What a great teacher he is! I wish I could have taken his classes at Florida International University. But at least I have a copy (autographed) of his book on writing. 
   Not only do I enjoy Dufresne's laid-back writing style, I appreciate the exercises he includes. At the end of the book is a chapter dealing with grammar, usage, punctuation, and mechanics - the craft of writing. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to write.
Genre: Nonfiction / Writing
Book Length: 298 Pages
Author Website: John Dufresne, Author

Book Beginning:

[There's an introduction, but I'm beginning with the first chapter]
Getting in Shape
     You wouldn't be here if you didn't want to write, so let's write. We'll chat later. Get out your pen and paper or fire up the computer. Pour yourself a coffee. Unplug the phone. Once you start, you can't stop. Give yourself a half hour. Relax. Don't think too much. You're starting a journey, and you don't know where you're going. But you do know you're going someplace you haven't been before. Take ten minutes for each exercise. Here we go.

The Friday 56 (from Page 56 in my hardback book):
Remember that our figures of speech, our metaphors, our way of looking at the world all come to some degree from our jobs. What a farmer thinks of the landscape may be different from what a miner thinks, a developer, a factory worker.

Synopsis (from Amazon):
     Finally, a truly creative―and hilarious―guide to creative writing, full of encouragement and sound advice. Provocative and reassuring, nurturing and wise, The Lie That Tells a Truth is essential to writers in general, fiction writers in particular, beginning writers, serious writers, and anyone facing a blank page.
     John Dufresne, teacher and the acclaimed author of Love Warps the Mind a Little and Deep in the Shade of Paradise, demystifies the writing process. Drawing upon the wisdom of literature's great craftsmen, Dufresne's lucid essays and diverse exercises initiate the reader into the tools, processes, and techniques of writing: inventing compelling characters, developing a voice, creating a sense of place, editing your own words. Where do great ideas come from? How do we recognize them? How can language capture them? In his signature comic voice, Dufresne answers these questions and more in chapters such as "Writing Around the Block," "Plottery," and "The Art of Abbreviation." Dufresne demystifies the writing process, showing that while the idea of writing may be overwhelming, the act of writing is simplicity itself.



Want more? Here's a TED talk by John Dufresne.


                


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Twitter: @SandyNachlinger
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24 comments:

  1. Sounds full of helpful hints, things any writer could use, even a reviewer. :-)
    sherry @ fundinmental Friday Memes

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  2. I like the sound of this one, seems like it has a lot of great tips.

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  3. This sounds like it would be a good start if I had any interest in being a writer. I prefer, however, to be a consumer, not a producer. This week I am spotlighting Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop. Happy reading!

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  4. Sounds like a great tool for amateur writers. Happy weekend!

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  5. Fascinating! I love the idea of demystifying the art of writing, breaking it down and simplifying it all. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  6. This looks like a book I need as I am trying be a writer. :)

    Stormi
    Friday Memes

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  7. Best of luck, Stormi! Maybe this book will give you inspiration and get your creative juices flowing.

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  8. Thanks for introducing me to this book and author, Sandy. I will give The Lie That Tells a Truth a whirl in hopes of getting my writing mojo back.

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  9. I like the short, sharp sentences in the opening paragraph - it makes you want to get to work straight away. There seems to be a lightness to the tone of the author too, it doesn't feel too bossy or forceful. I hope you enjoy reading this book and that it is helpful to you.

    Thanks for stopping by my Book Beginnings Post earlier:
    https://rathertoofondofbooks.com/2016/05/20/book-beginnings-the-trap-by-melanie-raabe/

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  10. This looks like a great book, Sandra. Thanks so much for including the TED Talk to introduce us to the author.

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  11. Hi Sandra,

    This is probably a book which could be of great worth to me as a blogger, as much as a 'wannabe' writer.

    The quote you shared from the opening chapter, was so good, that I decided to add it to my Goodreads quotes, as believe it or not no-one else had used it already, and also to my own random quotes generator, over at Fiction Books.

    Breaking down any problem into bite-sized chunks is always a good place to start, so I am guessing that much of what John says, is simply plain common sense.

    Thanks for sharing and enjoy your weekend :)

    Yvonne

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  12. I love good books on writing and creativity. I'll add this to the list. Happy Reading!

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  13. Wow. Talk about not wasting any time. You just get in there with your coffee in hand and start writing. :)
    @dino0726 from 
    FictionZeal - Impartial, Straightforward Fiction Book Reviews

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  14. This book sounds excellent; I write nonfiction books and always appreciate writing insights. I came here from your comment on my blog; nice to meet you.

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  15. When I am done with the two books about literature and writing I will look this one up. I have never taken a creative writing class, and I'm sure it shows! Ha!

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  16. I sorta wanted those first few sentences to continue! This looks good.

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  17. I like the sound of this - great beginning advice. Thanks for visiting my Friday meme

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  18. Ha! It's so funny that he did classes at FIU where I go to. What are the odds? Writing alludes me even though I love writing blogs. I think I would love to take a crack at it for fun but it seems like something creative and slightly insane people do which is probably why I love books and authors so much (;
    Have fun reading!

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  19. Why haven't I heard of The Lie That Tells a Truth??? Loved the Ted Talk, too. But this looks like a winner for any writer. Thanks!

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  20. Love the title for this one and it looks very informative. Happy weekend!

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  21. I think I'll look into this book. I'm trying to write a book, but seem to be stuck. Maybe this could help. Thanks for sharing! Thanks, also, for visiting my blog! Happy reading!

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  22. This was an interesting tidbit. I'm always looking for tips on how to improve my writing. Seems like an awesome book to help with that!

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  23. Hmmm...I really like the sound of it! And the cover certainly stands out.

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