Rating:  Summary: Magic Motivatin for Writers Review: "Word Work: Surviving and Thriving as a Writer," is at once most magical and practical book for writers I've ever read. A writer cannot use or hone skills until she can put her bottom in a chair before a keyboard and make her fingers move. This book is complete, well written, and filled with a fellow writer's experience and compassion. The author, Bruce Holland Rogers, weaves his spell so effectively the book could probably include a golden money-back guarantee on the cover. Each chapter is a little charm all its own. After each, I felt motivated to both reach for more in my career and life and to accept my own imperfections more readily. When Rogers waves his wand of philosophical and psychological wisdom, a writer's frailties are diminished, her strengths magnified. Though a writer is certain to find this book a precious talisman for the pursuit of the written word, it should also discourage her from attempting another book of the same sort. It has already been done and--try as she might (even using all the skills learned in "Word Work")--she will not find it possible to improve on this one. Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of "This is the Place"
Rating:  Summary: The Essence of Writing Review: " Word Work, Surviving and Thriving as a Writer, is an incredibly useful, informative and fascinating window into the world of a true writer. As if looking into the essence of the writer's brain and soul, Bruce Holland Rogers has encompassed every quirk and elusiveness of being more than a surface writer. This book is extremely useful to those just starting out as a realistic awakening of the writer's daily life, the good and the bad. If you truly want to know what procrastination, routine and rejection can do for your career, then you need to read Word Work. Whether you are a Pig Will or a Pig Won't, you'll benefit from this concise, therapeutic and educational literary self-help." - Michelle Hall, Writer & Editor for ABP
Rating:  Summary: Inspired to survive and thrive by a beginning writer Review: As a beginner who has been trying to stop procastinating, and start writing - I'd almost given up hope. After two years and having read at least a dozen how-to books on the writing craft, I gained a lot of knowledge on how to write. After reading Word Work I finally gained the knowledge that allowed me to write. In Word Work, Bruce Holland Rogers takes your fears and concerns about writing and buries them. He explained why I was procastinating and gave me the techniques to overcome it. Rogers takes all the excuses we give ourselves about why we can't find time to write and he shoots them down one by one. This book is a must for all of you who say: "One day I'm going to write a novel", and for those of you who have lost your way. I highly recommend it
Rating:  Summary: Inspired to survive and thrive by a beginning writer Review: As a beginner who has been trying to stop procastinating, and start writing - I'd almost given up hope. After two years and having read at least a dozen how-to books on the writing craft, I gained a lot of knowledge on how to write. After reading Word Work I finally gained the knowledge that allowed me to write. In Word Work, Bruce Holland Rogers takes your fears and concerns about writing and buries them. He explained why I was procastinating and gave me the techniques to overcome it. Rogers takes all the excuses we give ourselves about why we can't find time to write and he shoots them down one by one. This book is a must for all of you who say: "One day I'm going to write a novel", and for those of you who have lost your way. I highly recommend it
Rating:  Summary: The Pathos of the writer.. Review: Book from a professional fantasy-writer and teacher (creative writing). The book contains columns, with advice how to avoid the slushpile of daily chores and keep at it, keep following the serious urge to write. This book adresses the possible emotional and psychological needs of the would-be-writer who wants to endure and stick to his writing.
As this is a book of columns, pieces which appeared earlier in a serialized form, there are some minor points which the reader needs to remember when using Bruge Rogers book as a guide to a writers existence.. Writing as the ancient rethorians maintained is as much about grammar, logic and ethos as it is about pathos (emotions).
Many aspiring authors do not lack ideas, but they do not know how to express themselves, or have not gained mastery of language as a working tool.
A book to buy if you are not looking for a work on the art of writing, mastery of language, style and the logic of building a narrative.
Rating:  Summary: Just the Right Touch Review: I heard Bruce speak at a writer's conference and was immediatley drawn to his wonderful storytelling ability. Word Work is full of compassion for those who are compelled to write but struggle to do so. He understands the very real self-doubt and procrastination that every writer faces and his wonderful anecdotes make you laugh with their ring of truth. He not only identifies the difficulties of the writing life, he gives excellent suggestions for overcoming them. I found this book very helpful as well as fun to read.
Rating:  Summary: Delightful book Review: If you are at all interested in writing, this book is a must-have. It is less about writing technique and more about a writing life. Rogers assumes that you feel it is your "calling" to write, and he shows you how to translate those lofty desires into the day-to-day work of a writer. Excellent read.
Rating:  Summary: Penetrating, Illuminating, Scintillating Review: In his book, "Word Work: Surviving and Thriving as a Writer," Bruce Holland Rogers penetrates deeply into topics at the core of the writing process and what it means to be a writer: procrastination, ADD and manic depression, writing workshops, fear of death, handling rejection and success, and balancing relationships with loved ones. The result is a book that is unique among all other writing books because it encourages you, the writer, to examine many of your pre-conceived notions about your own writing or the writing process in general. You'll begin asking yourself questions like, "Why do I write?" "How is my opinion of my writing affecting my growth?" "What relationships are important to me as a writer?" Throughout the text, Rogers does a great job of balancing the spiritual aspects of these inquiries with the writer's need for pragmatic solutions. "Word Work" also explores some of the more basic aspects of the writing life including where and how to work, methods for jump-starting a project, and ways to get away from it all when you need a break. As a dedicated writer and teacher of college writing who has read dozens of books on the subject, I heartily recommend this book to both professionals and budding amateurs who want to grow--not only as writers, but also as human beings.
Rating:  Summary: BizCoach from Virginia Review: One of my goals is to read every book on writing. I'm into my fourth year. There are very few books now that catch me by surprise and say something different. Rogers' book,
Rating:  Summary: Word Work, Works Review: Rarely do I say this about a book, but this is a book with class. Bruce Holland Rogers, an award-winning author puts together all the lessons of writing in this one comprehensive book that will show you how to live and breathe writing.
Rogers not only outlines the problems and difficulties you will face as you live each day as a writer, but provides in-depth solutions that cover all personality types, situations and levels of intensity. Having lived the life of a writer for so many years, Bruce has seen it all.
"Word Work" is not a lesson in writing. It's a lesson in living. It's a lesson in facing the daily challenges that the writing life brings. Rogers does not go the rosy way like most books do. He takes his stand on issues and provides realistic solutions to problems. He'll not only tell you how to react when your mom calls at eleven in the morning and finds you asleep (since you've been working all night), he'll also tell you how to avoid that situation altogether. And no, he doesn't tell you to change your schedule!
The author also cleverly addresses issues that are not often dealt with. He provides the lowdown on how to interpret dreams, exercises for getting started and staying on-track (they actually work!), writing rituals, writing solely for money or solely for love and how to crank out the first draft of your novel in two months.
This book is jam-packed with useful, intelligent and practical information right from the word go. There's not a page in this book that doesn't offer valuable advice.
-- Mridu Khullar, Editor of www.WritersCrossing.com
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