Product Description

Why did Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes, a memoir of his poverty-stricken childhood, touch millions? Why did John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and Upton Sinclair's The Jungle incite social change and become literary classics? Why did Sebastian Yunger's real-life adventure A Perfect Storm leap onto the bestseller list? In this book, Philip Gerard analyzes books that made a difference-fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary-distilling out the elusive ingredients that make a work memorable, one that changes our minds and our lives. Beginning with the importance of choosing powerful subjects and themes, Gerard encourages writers to explore what is closest to their hearts. He then presents dozens of practical storytelling strategies that engage readers and move them- to tears and laughter, or to action. As in his much-praised Creative Nonfiction, Gerard's instruction is always accessible and a pleasure to read. Anyone who dreams of writing a book that makes a difference will come away with a clear understanding of what it takes to succeed.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #208245 in Books
• Published on: 2000-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Amazon.com Review
There are countless would-be authors out there who would be thrilled to write a book, any book. Writing a Book That Makes a Difference is not for them. It is for those writers ready to tackle what its author, Philip Gerard, calls the Big Book, "the book that will take the best that is in [them] and every bit of craft [they] can muster." Think The Grapes of Wrath, Angela's Ashes, The Perfect Storm. Those with ambitions to write a book that will change their lives and the lives of their readers will find Gerard a wise companion, with guidance on choosing and researching your subject, discovering your themes, and building your book, be it fiction or nonfiction. Respect your subject, your material, yourself, and your reader, Gerard urges. Work with integrity, and don't let your experiences (or lack thereof) restrict you. According to Gerard, "No subject is off limits. To any writer. Ever." --Jane Steinberg

About the Author
Philip Gerard is the author of three novels, most recently Desert Kill, and a memoir, Brilliant Passage. He is also the author of Creative Nonfiction, published by Story Press. His fiction and creative nonfiction have appeared in numerous magazines, and his radio essays are heard regularly on National Public Radio's All Things Considered. He is the director of the creative writing program at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Customer Reviews

Inspiration to Set the Bar High
Philip Gerard takes on a seemingly grandiose goal in this guide: how to write a book that will not merely get published, not merely sell, but make a profound impact on many readers. That may seem daunting, and indeed intimidating, but Gerard has a way of nudging the reader (and aspiring writer) to think grandly and take big chances. He teaches primarily through example here, exploring some of the really great books, and telling what makes them so.

Gerard shares anecdotes about how these books started out with more modest aspirations, and if not for the author's impulse to envision a grander purpose, may have been destined to become minor, even forgettable works. For example, Steinbeck originally wanted to do an investigative report on migrant workers, before convincing himself that a novelization of his findings, "The Grapes of Wrath," would tell the story with much more impact. Similarly, Truman Capote took an audacious step (for the times), when he decided that the details of a chilling murder (and his own connection to one of the murderers) would work best as a "factual" novel.

This book explains bold and innovative writing by examining the concrete examples of authors who have succeded in that pursuit. As such, it should appeal not only to aspiring writers, but also to those who simply would like a run-down of great books and some rationale for their admired stature. The one drawback here is that Gerard has a habit of bringing in new dimensions of great writing, but being a little strident in summarizing the cited works. One sometimes gets the feeling that he merely scratches the surface of an important style, and then moves on to an altogether different one. Even so, this is a book that both writers and readers are likely to appreciate and find valuable.

Finally, a book on writing serious fiction
There are so any books on writing fiction, as any budding writer will see. Hundreds of them, on the wider scope of novels, on the specifics of short stories, or on the techniques of dialog, scenes and plot. Many of these books are useful, but they all tend to focus on popular, commercial fiction, generally genre fiction.

I guess if you want to write genre fiction (nothing against it - I read plenty of it), then these books are fine. But for me, embarking on writing serious fiction, none of these books helped very much. Philip Gerard's book fills the gap that these other books have left in the market. It approaches writing fiction for those who want to write novels that make readers think. He covers enough of the basics (tone, point of view, style) to make this a good generalist book, but, above all, doesn't talk down to the reader. In addition, he inpsires you to think of the broader aspect of writing a serious novel.

As a full-time writer of non-fiction, I'm hoping to leap over the fence into fiction. This is the best book I have yet found that gives me the inspiration and the tools to do so. I have already read it three times, and have gotten more out of it each time. If you want to write serious fiction, this is the only book that really helps you do so.

one of the best books on writing
For those who have mastered the craft of writing, but feel like they are missing the art of truly touching an audience, this book is amazing. It talks about how to move your work to a higher level, achieving the sort of resonance that the great books have. It not only breaks down some of the effects used by classic works and authors, but also details why and how to create them yourself.

i am a confirmed how-to-write book addict--but this is one of the few that really steps above the rest to present a new approach. It speaks to the power that fiction (and non-fiction) can have to affect the reader--something many writers aspire to, but don't know how to consciously approach. In classic how-to style, it even includes exercises after each chapter! I picked it up on a whim, but I will be recommending it to all of my writing buddies who feel that their work, while technically excellent, is lacking the spark that will really bring it to life.