The Writing Trade: A Year in the Life

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Summary: The Writing Trade, A Year In The Life
Review: "Let's see, what's the best way to tell this?" This is how John Jerome believes every piece of writing should start. "It should never make its way onto the page, of course, (except perhaps as a joke), but it should inform the writer's angle of attack" (84). This book is what you could call "thrown together," so I don't know what his angle of attack for this book would be. It is separated similar to how a journal or diary would be. It is written in a very informal and conversational manner about a variety of subjects, most of them not having to do with writing. The Writing Trade is a book about writing a book, but not really. Jerome tells what is going on in his life at the time he is writing this book. One entire entry might be, "It snowed today." He talks quite frequently about his dogs and taking them for walks every day. Interesting, but what does it have to do with writing a book? He also talks about types of books he would like to write in the future, again not having to do with this book. As I said before, this book is "thrown together." Jerome does give some helpful advice about what he does as a writer. This might prove to be helpful to writers seeking advice, but not answers. He never states which way is right, just how he does it. So, if you want definite answers to your questions, this is probably not the best book for you.

Rating:
Summary: The Writing Trade, A Year In The Life
Review: As a full-time magazine and book writer myself, I make it a point to reread this book at least once every year. I never cease to learn something from Jerome's example -- whether it's tips for crafting a nonfiction book proposal, inspiration for generating new ideas, or simply managing the paperwork of selling writer. I only wish he published such a journal for *every* year of his writing life!

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Summary: A must for the freelance nonfiction writer
Review: I bought this book when it was new, and I'm now reading it for the fourth time. To me, a freelancer like Jerome, it's like a shot of Vitamin B-12. The late John Jerome loved writing, loved it enough to give up a steady income as a magazine editor to write what he wanted to write -- well most of the time anyway. Beginning in on a cold New Year's Day, Jerome takes us through a year of his life: struggling with words, revising drafts, reading galley proof (yes, remember when they had galley proof), while all the while contending with worn-out plumbing and a dying furnace, and a steady stream of bills. Was it worth it? That's what Jerome wanted to find out -- and share the discovery with us.

Rating:
Summary: A sobering but realistic vision
Review: In this work, we are privy to the daily life of a writer who has crossed into middle age having acheived the dream of making a living through his art, but at the same time still struggling financially and sometimes emotionally because of his career choice.

I am inclined to suggest that this should be required reading for all aspiring writers because of its subject matter. At the same time, it is rather depressing (though not without hope of redemption at hand.) It is especially valuable for the way it portrays the daily discipline of writing and selling one's work.

Of course, all is not bleakness and navel-gazing in this book. We also see the beauty of the author's rural home, and the quiet joy of day-to-day life with his wife and dogs. (Though why must he be so jarring as to refer to his wife by an initial? If she wanted to keep her privacy, an unlikely goal at best when your husband is writing a memoir, she could have been called by a pseudonym.)

Overall, this is definitely a good read, though not exactly 'fun'.

Rating:
Summary: Writing is easy.
Review: John Jerome, freelance writer and author of the book, The Writing Trade...A Year in the Life gives us a 12-month account of a writer's life. The book, written in diary form takes us through revisions, writers block, publication, and most importantly, it takes us through someone else's life. The book isn't just about how to write. Actually it really isn't about how to write at all. "The aim here is to show how a writing life works: A book about the workaday process of making sentences for a living." Jerome said. It's a book basically about someone else's life. Jerome doesn't just talk about his life as a freelance writer he talks about his life's experiences. He tells us about camping trips with his alcoholic father, about his wife C., and about his daily walks with his dogs around the loop where he does most of his thinking and gets most of his ideas. At the beginning of every chapter there are helpful and humorous quotes from famous authors. While the book might not be about writing per say it is filled with good advice and tips. Jerome does a wonderful job of showing the reader a life of a writer, something most of us know nothing about, I was flipping pages fast. If you are looking for a book for entertainment and advice about writing, then A Year in the Life is a worthwhile read. While it is a worthwhile read, it is a book to borrow from the library not buy.

Rating:
Summary: Writing is easy.
Review: John Jerome, freelance writer and author of the book, The Writing Trade...A Year in the Life gives us a 12-month account of a writer's life. The book, written in diary form takes us through revisions, writers block, publication, and most importantly, it takes us through someone else's life. The book isn't just about how to write. Actually it really isn't about how to write at all. "The aim here is to show how a writing life works: A book about the workaday process of making sentences for a living." Jerome said. It's a book basically about someone else's life. Jerome doesn't just talk about his life as a freelance writer he talks about his life's experiences. He tells us about camping trips with his alcoholic father, about his wife C., and about his daily walks with his dogs around the loop where he does most of his thinking and gets most of his ideas. At the beginning of every chapter there are helpful and humorous quotes from famous authors. While the book might not be about writing per say it is filled with good advice and tips. Jerome does a wonderful job of showing the reader a life of a writer, something most of us know nothing about, I was flipping pages fast. If you are looking for a book for entertainment and advice about writing, then A Year in the Life is a worthwhile read. While it is a worthwhile read, it is a book to borrow from the library not buy.