Thursday Review—Writers on Writing

Writers on Writing

Writers on Writing
 a book review by Lynn Huggins Blackburn

Don't you love it when you read a book and it's so good you just can't put it down?

I do, too. I love that feeling of anticipation that builds with each turned page until there are no more pages and I'm left with a sense of satisfaction—and a sink full of dishes, overflowing laundry hampers, and a family that would appreciate it if I found my way to the kitchen.

Fortunately for my always hungry children, this is not one of those books.

And for once, that's a good thing.

Writers on Writing is a compilation of brief articles from some of the heaviest of the heavy hitters in the Christian writing world. (Can you say Cecil Murphey? Jerry B. Jenkins?)  And they are written specifically with the Christian writer in mind.

The articles are divided into three categories. We start with The Writer and cover what it means to be a Christian writer and how to survive in the Christian publishing world. Then we transition to The Craft and cover everything from basic grammar to writing screenplays, from ghostwriting to editing fiction and non-fiction. Then we wrap up with articles on The Business and hit professionalism, talking to editors and building platforms.

Writers on Writing would make a great addition to any writer's bookshelf. Feeling discouraged? Check out Chapter 2. Worried about running out of ideas? See Chapter 5. Trying to edit that devotion down to 250 words? You'll find Chapter 19 useful.

You could sit down and read it all the way through, but I think it's best enjoyed slowly.

Pick it up. Read a chapter.

Put it down. Process what you've read—maybe while dusting or picking up toys.

Repeat.

Your writing—and your family—will thank you.

Don’t forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Lynn

Lynn Huggins Blackburn has been telling herself stories since she was five and finally started writing them down. On her blog Out of the Boat she writes about faith and family while her blog Perpetual Motion documents the joys and challenges of loving and rearing a child with special needs. A graduate of Clemson University, Lynn lives in South Carolina where she writes, reads, knits, takes care of three amazing children, one fabulous man and one spoiled rotten Boston Terrier.

Follow Lynn on Twitter @lynnhblackburn