A Writer's Workbook: Daily Exercises for the Writing Life

by Caroline Sharp

Book Overview

Aspiring doctors have medical school. Karate students have belts of different colors. Pianists have scales and arpeggios. But what system do writers have for getting and staying "in shape," to help them focus, practice, and make progress?

A Writer's Workbook is Caroline Sharp's ingenious collection of exercises to inspire, encourage, warm up, and jump-start anyone who writes. A wise and funny friend who will cheerlead you through...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 031228621X
• ISBN13: 9780312286217
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: St. Martins Press-3PL
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A Writer's Workbook

An excellent book encouraging daily exercises to develop better writing skills. It works if you use it. Great traveling book. Timely arrival and in good shape.

A Real Workout!

This book is a perfect solution for those writers in need of something to write about. Caroline Sharp wrote this book after not writing for a significant period of time. She was searching for inspiration and invented her own. With this book she gives suggestions for various exercises and writing techniques. The book is meant to be done one chapter after another growing as you progress but some of the chapters are tedious and actually stopped me from writing, like the chapter on outlines (you have to write something in order to have something to outline!). I have found that skipping around works better for me only because some days are less patient than others.For those of you serious writers looking for new techniques and new ideas this is a wonderful book to absorb. Sometimes the best ideas come from out of the blue and this book just gives you the blue a little bit faster.

Author takes the fear out of writing

Caroline Sharp has written an approachable, easy to understand "hand-up" for aspiring writers.Breaking down the fear so many face at the thought of approaching a vast blank page, Sharp guides novices and experienced writers alike through a series of steps and exercises to get the writing going.Kudos to Ms. Sharp for sharing her hard won knowledge and experience with the rest of us.