Rating: 
Summary: The Fire of Bradbury's Enthusiasm
Review: "Zen in the Art of Writing" might not separate out into easy bullet-lists of suggestions the way many writing books do, but there are so many great ideas here. Word associations, letting things percolate through your mind, honestly editing your work... Bradbury couches everything in examples from his own life and work. He loads everything up with context. Perhaps most importantly, he lends his words a vibrancy, a poetry, a life that speaks far louder than any dry essay on writing ever could!
He talks of love and hate, and how emotions drive good writing. He speaks of work and relaxation, and how both are necessary at once. All of this in beautiful, easy-to-read language that you can easily cruise through in a day.
It's hard not to come away from this book without a sense of this man: a whimsical, driven, fire-breathing soul of wit and humor and great understanding. I normally have little interest at all in meeting famous people, but I wish that I could meet Mr. Bradbury. Certainly his work has inspired many a dreamer, and all writers of the fantastic owe him and his work a great debt.
I cannot recommend this writing book highly enough. If you're looking for dry suggestions to help you get published look elsewhere, but if you're looking for inspiration, this is the place to find it. The passion, energy, and enthusiasm that flow through the words are contagious. I cannot imagine a single author that could not be improved by reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Just go for it!
Review: Already the first page of this book contains revelations that other books lack. Bradbury does not offer any fancy techniques or anything like that, he just - as the title promises - tells us to go back to the basics. Write about what comes up, what you care about. Even if you do not agree with him the book will stir up emotions, and help you create.
Rating: 
Summary: Writing Scenes from a Memory
Review: Dipping into the subconscious to pull out memories, dreams, and ideas for writing is the main theme of Ray Bradbury's book, Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the creative genius within you. Zen in the Art of Writing has no clear progression or organization, but is instead a collection of essays Bradbury has written over the years. Each "chapter" is a short story in itself, full of ideas and advice. Some include overlapping ideas; some are as similar as a dream and reality. All give methods for developing the "creative genius." One helpful tool that has worked for Bradbury thus far - word association - may help your writing if you have a creative block. Bradbury compiles lists of nouns, usually beginning with "the" as in "The Veldt," "The Skeleton," and others to use for titles. He then implements his own memories and thoughts to fill in the actual story. The book is full of interesting stories, but the advice in each chapter could be a little more direct. Bradbury often seems to just write about his books, which doesn't help the reader much. His writing style does help make it an enjoyable read, however. The writer having trouble developing story ideas will benefit from Zen in the Art of Writing. Bradbury's own experiences, stories, and style make this book approachable for anyone, and may give you enough know-how and advice to break out on your creative own and start writing about their own scenes from a memory.
Rating:
Summary: Most Excellent
Review: I recently picked up a copy of Ray Bradbury's "Zen in the Art of Writing", partly out of curiousity, and partly out of an initiative to re-focus my writing.I can not say enough good things about this book. It is cheap, and it is a quick read. I finished it over the course of one weekend - a weekend that has re-defined my writing like no weekend has in a long time. Whether you write songs, stories, or jot notes in your journal, this book will open up new possibilites. Even non-writers might benefit from some of the insights, particularly the one that discusses science fiction, problem solving and education. And it isn't even anything overtly "brilliant". Some of what the author presents is simply common sense stuff that we tend to miss in our busy lives. I identified many parallels in my own life that related to the experiences described in this book, and I'm sure you will too. I also enjoyed the complete lack of mamby-pamby, feel-good new agey attitude that is prevalent in some writing and creativity guides.
Rating:
Summary: Zen and the Art of "Ahh, Now I Get it."
Review: I've just started this book and I have already, by direct inspiration of Mr. Bradbury's examples, taken my earliest childhood dream and created a sci-fi story. In his book he gives simple approaches to inspiration. I often enjoy recounting certain life experiences to friends, (and strangers), but not until I read this book did I realize I'm sitting on an endless source of raw material to mold into speculative fiction- from my own memories.
I felt a bit like a parasite writer when a critic who read my first sci-fi mentioned that my story was "Ray Bradbury-ish". I scrambled to try to change my style for fear that someone would think that I'm trying to copy his style. When I read that much of his inspiration comes directly from the writings of other authors and poets I was relieved. I actually began writing another story that is almost the same as one of his more popular stories from the Martian Chronicles. Yet, I can confidently state that my story is still completely different.
I suddenly find myself with more story ideas than I can possibly write. This book is an absolute inspiration. Reading many of the technical "how to" books for writers has done nothing but make my brain smoke. There are stories all around me now- actually, they were always there. Suddenly I see. "Ahh. This is Zen."
Rating:
Summary: Guidance from a Genius
Review: If ever I came across an author who was a master of both the art of writing AND life, it is Ray Bradbury. This small work summarizes where his inspiration, continuing motivation, and love and excitement of life all stem from. This isn't just a book encouraging and goading beginning and long-time writers alike; Bradbury presents his philosophy for life. The two go hand-in-hand and if you haven't figured that out yet.....read the book. That may be the key you're still seeking as a writer.
The very way you choose to live your life affects all of your goals and dreams alike. Take charge of it all, and your writing achievements are limitless.
If only I had the time to read everything this man has written. If only I could shake his hand and say, as just another admirer, "You've figured it all out; thanks for sharing it with the rest of us."
Rating:
Summary: A Book On Writing By A Man Who Loves The Craft
Review: Ray Bradbury's "Zen in the Art of Writing" was first released in 1990 and his views on the psychology, philosophy and purpose of writing are still relevant, captivating and enlightening. Much like Madeleine L'Engle's book "Walking on Water," highlighting the best parts is an exercise in futility as the aspiring writer would have to dip the entire book in yellow ink. Treasures wait on every page. It is interesting to read Bradbury's book hand-in-hand with Stephen King's "On Writing." Both books appeal to the intuitive writer as contrasted with the methodical writer, both author's love their craft and their audience, and both books are refreshingly honest. However, as King is a garrulous, yet beloved Dutch uncle, Bradbury is the writer's Delphic oracle. If the writer-[beginner] is not inspired to write after reading this short, but valuable book, maybe he had best seek another line of work.
Rating:
Summary: Care and feeding your Muse
Review: This book is a wonderful collection of essays on writing by Ray Bradbury. The essays span about 20 years. They are mostly about the creative process. He provides inspirational advice on how to care for and feed your Muse. He discusses the methods that work for him. He tells us stories about how he came to write some of his more famous short stories and novels - e.g. how he was driven to tears, writing his first great short story "The Lake".
The book is probably most valuable for accomplished writers, because he assumes that the reader has already mastered the mechanics of writing and story structure. There is no discussion of plotting, character development, how to sell your work.
If the book has a fault it is that Bradbury is too talented. In the book, he tells the story of writing the first draft of Fahrenheit 451. He wrote it over a few days at a pay typewriter, a dime at a time, in a UCLA library! What works for a genius such as himself, may not work for other writers. He can sit down at a typewriter, commence a prose poem on a noun and miraculously have a story appear on the page. Most other writers do not have the natural command of storytelling. They need to work in a much more structured fashion.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: This book is utterly inspiring. What I love is that Bradbury shows you what it is like to be a writer and that is so helpful for someone just starting on that path. The language was highly poetic and also had a strong quality of nostaligia. Bradbury looks to his own memories and insights to color his advice. And yes, this book does have a highly Zen quality.
Rating:
Summary: Unmitigated Excellence
Review: This is an excellent piece from an excellent writer. For any would-be writer, this is an exceptional guide that will teach the basics of the creative writing process. Bradbury emphasizing writing by a method of free-association. He discourages writing that conforms to popular beliefs of society. He says that writing to please others is a great fault of many authors. One should write about his own interests and hates, this will strike passion in writing, which is a key ingrediant to success in the field. He explains that excellent writing ideas spring from the subconscious mind, or muse as Bradbury puts it. One must learn how to find his muse, feed his muse, and keep his muse...To effectively capture Bradbury's powerful message, one should read this piece of excellence him/herself.
|
