Review: Writer to Writer

Writer to Writer

by Bodie and Brock Thoene

I have been reading a few books about how to write well, how to develop a storyline and characters. When a friend loaned me this book I thought it would be more of the same but it was different, in a good way.

Writer to Writer is very Christian but if you are not a Christian and are looking to find out how to be a published author then you shouldn't let it discourage you from picking through this book. The first two chapters are the most heavily Christian as Bodie asks the reader to determine if writing is your call from God and then encourages you to pursue it if you determine that, yes, God has placed that desire in your heart. This part could be the right push for some and can easily be ignored if you are not into it. It's the rest of the book that really holds the meat.

It had never occurred to me to consider writing articles for magazines but this is a way of getting a foot in the door. Bodie's advice on scouring the Writer's Market magazine to find venues for your writing was indeed very valuable. She explains how it works and gives examples. She shows the writing techniques for a good article (5Ws and an H, Inverted Pyramid, Upright Pyramid) based on her experience writing for a newspaper and various magazines. She gives examples and exercises to build the writer's confidence. She discusses querying, editing, and dressing for success. I'd say this book is for the person who has no doubts that writing is their future career but doesn't know how to get started. I found it extremely helpful and will hold on to it for a ready reference. Gosh, I hope my friend didn't want the book back anytime soon.