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Index Interviews: John Marco Do-It-Yourself Music Publishing--Part I Product Reviews Upcoming Events Calendar Reader Mail Return to This Issue's Index Return to Homepage Subscribe
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Reviews of Writing BooksWoe is I by Patricia T. O'ConnorRiverhead Books, August 1998.Paperback, 227 pages. ISBN: 1573226254 Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
Woe is I, by former New
York Times Book Review
editor Patricia T. O' Conner,
is targeted at the grammarphobe.
In a light-hearted yet informative
tone, the book addresses
numerous concepts of the
English language with which writers often struggle.
Each chapter in the book addresses
a new grammar topic.
The "Therapy for Pronoun Anxiety"
chapter addresses pronouns,
which the author says, "are usually
small (I, me, he, she, it), but they're
among the biggest troublemakers
in the language."
The "Comma Sutra" chapter
provides information on correct
punctuation and the "Death Sentence"
chapter focuses on clichés.
Other grammar topics
addressed in the book include
plurals, possessives,
verbs, words to avoid
and commas. The reference also
includes a glossary of grammar terms.
O'Connor provides instruction for improving one's grammar with a witty style that helps the lessons go down a bit easier. Also included are catchy rhymes which help the reader remember the lessons. An appealing and entertaining way to learn the rules of grammar. The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the Wild West from 1840-1900 by Candy MoultonWriter's Digest Books, March 1999.Hardcover, 325 pages. ISBN: 0898798701 Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
This historical reference for writers
provides information on
living in the Old West
that would normally require several
trips to the library to find. The book
covers various aspects of the
days of living in the Wild West
including geography, land ownership,
Native American territories, treaties,
wars, clothing, food, architecture,
furnishing, marriage, family, medicine,
education, employment, entertainment,
literature, language, travel, communication,
crime, law, coins and money.
The book also provides a guide to
additional resources on the Old West,
including website links and a comprehensive
chronology of events that occurred
in the Old West between 1840-1900.
This book presents historical information in a manner appropriate to writers by focusing on the lifestyle, so writers can easily find what they need and incorporate the concepts into their nonfiction, story or novel. A comprehensive resource that should be on every historical writer's desk. Writing Personal Poetry by Sheila BenderWriter's Digest Books, March 1999.Trade Paperback, 220 pages. ISBN: 1877749168 Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
This inspirational guide helps
beginners to learn how to
write poems through discussions,
exercises and examples. The
book begins with tools to
create poems, such as creating
lists of images for our five
senses, which can later be
developed into complete poems.
The latter sections of the book
provide information on how
to shape and create poems, through
instruction and examples of poetry.
The book also provides information
about resources where poets can further
their studies.
Poet and poetry instructor, Sheila Bender, does a wonderful job of conveying the value of poetry, and teaching you how to free yourself from your work or chores to create poems that capture your personal moods and views of the world. A fun and uplifting book for beginning poets. Return to Book Reviews Index ** More information on writing-related books can be found in the Writer's Bookstore. |