Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35219 in Books
• Published on: 1981-03-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Amazon.com Review
Even in 1934, Dorothea Brande knew that most writers didn't need another book on "technique" -- and this, before so many more would be published. No, she realized, as John Gardner notes in his foreword, "the root problems of the writer are personality problems," and thus her wise book is designed to simply help you get over yourself and start writing, with techniques ranging from a simple declaration to write every day at a fixed time -- no matter what -- to exercises that come close to inventing the TM and self-actualization movements that would follow a few decades later.

About the Author
ROBERT W. HARRIS has been a freelance writer and designer since 1990. He has written twelve books, including DOS, WordPerfect & Lotus Office Companion and When Good People Write Bad Sentences. His books have been main selections in the Small Computer Book Club and the Book-of-the-Month Club.

Customer Reviews

A classic
Seventy-four years after its first publication, Dorothea Brande's BECOMING A WRITER is still relevant, important, and immensely helpful to writers at all stages of their careers. I first discovered BECOMING A WRITER a few weeks after selling my first book and it quickly became my bible. Brande taught me the value of wordless, repetitive actions (think knitting, needlework, gardening) as a means of freeing your mind and accessing creativity. I've had my dry spells over the twenty-five years since my first book came out, but each time I go back to Dorothea Brande's simple, elegant advice and work my way out of the slump. This is a must for any writer's library.

A book to help you learn to create your own "Writer's Magic"
In this re-issue of Brande's classic (first published in 1934) this author, editor, and writing teacher focuses on the many problems writers face, and she proposes solutions.
John Gardner, in the foreward, writes "The root problems of the writer are personality problems: He or she cannot get started, or starts a story well, then gets lost or loses heart, or writes very well some of the time, badly the rest of the time, or writes brilliantly but after one superb story or novel, cannot write again, etc."
Brande concentrates on the writer's mind and heart, and not on writing technigues. She has set out to address the writer's personality problems, such as lack of confidence, and self-respect.
She asserts that there is a sort of "writer's magic." When addressing the disappointments and rejections that all aspiring writers face, she states, "I hope this book persuades some who are hesitating on the verge of abandoning writing, to make a different decision."
She informs her reader of the four major difficulties she has observed time and again, in her writing students, and writers in general: "The Difficulty of Writing at All," "The One-Book Author," "The Occasional Writer," "The Uneven Writer."
Brande believes that becoming a writer is mainly a matter of cultivating "a writer's temperament." That is "the author of genius does keep till his last breath the spontaneity, the ready sensitiveness of a child, the innocence of the eye." Some chapter titles are "Harnessing the Unconscious," "Writing on Schedule," "The Source of Originality," "The Practice Story," and "The Writer's Magic."
The book contains an excellent index, as well as a bibliography. Brande's insights do not feel dated to me. They pertain to the writers of today and provide inspiration, stimulation, valuable exercises, and the hard-earned wisdom of a highly successful writer and teacher. A valuable addition to every writer's library!

Head and shoulders above anything else
There are a number of books on this subject; and I own a fair few of them. This particular item, has put an end to buying books on how to write. It is excellent. All of the others are by the "how to" writers. This, I believe is the only one; by a "why" writer.
Why we do, and don't do things, pertaining to writing. The author taps the pulse that will enable you to write...if you follow her lead. And that is demonstrated, via the curious and excellent exercises listed.
This book cannot be spoken of highly enough, for effectiveness and originality. You will also discover much about yourself and various motivations you possess.
It puts a full length mirror up to the aspiring writer, and asks "So you want to be a writer?...well if you do; you better get real". Aaannnd...Dorothea doesn't go on and on and on.....!
Clear, written well, brief and to the point.
Best of the lot by a country mile!