A Classic: Becoming A Writer

Posted by Tom Colvin

April 24, 2008

One of the genuine classics in books about the writing life is Dorothea Brande’s Becoming A Writer, first published in 1934. Fortunately, it has been reprinted, with a foreward by John Gardner. This book offers very wise insights into the process of writing. It served as one of the inspirations of my blog.

You can order a copy via Amazon from the Productivity Store, an Amazon “storefront” which I have personally customized for writers. You’ll find there the books that I recommend in many different categories of writing. Consider this your very own online store for your writing needs — books, hardware, software, it’s all here. And it is often updated with new selections, carrying my own brief blurb — and a click will take you to the Amazon page featuring full information about the book, with especially useful user reviews.

I consider this “store” one of the more valuable features of this blog/website. I hope you’ll take a look.

Comments

Excellent post, however, I believe “foreward” is actually spelled “foreword.”

I will look for the book you mentioned.

Comment by Craig on April 24, 2008 @ 7:26 pm

Thanks for the recommendation. I just got whiff on this book after completing Julia Cameron’s fantastic The Artist’s Way. I on a journey somewhere and the path only gets clearer.

Comment by Ajoy Kumar on April 25, 2008 @ 1:47 pm

Everyone should own Brande’s book on BECOMING A WRITER and re-read it yearly. Such basic, solid, never-changing advice–even though it was written long before our computer/Internet age. Now…to click over to your store!

Comment by Kristi Holl on April 25, 2008 @ 10:15 pm

Very Interesting collection of recomendations, many of which I already have in my own home library. I particularly like the John Truby approach to craft, and yes, Becoming a Writer.
Thank you for the reminder that we all share a common goal irrespective of the genre and medium.