Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer Audiobook, by Roy Peter Clark Play Audiobook Sample

Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer Audiobook

Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer Audiobook, by Roy Peter Clark Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Roy Peter Clark Publisher: Ascent Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: October 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781596599840

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

52

Longest Chapter Length:

13:37 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:18 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

08:05 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

7

Other Audiobooks Written by Roy Peter Clark: > View All...

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Publisher Description

“Writing is a craft you can learn,” says Roy Peter Clark. “You need tools, not rules.” In this essential guide, Clark distills decades of experience into fifty tools that writers of all kinds can use every day. You may be crafting a newspaper story or an admissions essay for college. You may be writing a technical report or drafting your first novel. You may be a student or a teacher, a poet or a critic, a columnist or a blogger. You may be preparing a PowerPoint presentation or penning a love letter. Whatever your task, you can become a more fluent and effective writer—a writer with a purpose, a plan, and a workbench full of tools. For example: Tool 7: Fear not the long sentence. Take the reader on a journey of language and meaning. Tool 28: Put odd and interesting things next to each other. Help the reader learn from contrast. Tool 34: Write from different cinematic angles. Turn your notebook into a camera. Tool 41: Turn procrastination into rehearsal. Plan and write it first in your head. Clark works from the belief that every writer can grow—and should. Writing Tools shows the way.

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"I've been reading this one for a long time because I find that I learn more along with the projects I'm working on, if I use Mr. Clark's exercises alongside my work. This book is fun and substantial. It is a workshop that dives into the writers core and makes them better. It's making me better."

— Wendi (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Pull out a favorite novel or short story and read it with the guidance of Clark’s ideas…Readers will find new worlds in familiar places. And writers will be inspired to pick up their pens.”

    — Boston Globe
  • “In The Elements of Style, Professor William Strunk gaveled English usage to order and E. B. White elevated its style. Now the ebullient Roy Peter Clark sets the lyrics of the language to playful music and lets it dance. His Writing Tools fits on the same shelf as Strunk and White and lends it some streetwise fun…Americans from college student to memo-mangling CEO need this one on the desk. It’s not just a helpful handbook to sort out awkward writing. It’s a public service.”

    — Eugene C. Patterson, Pulitzer Prize–winning editor and retired chairman and CEO, St. Petersburg Times
  • “What a relief to read a handbook about writing that stresses tools, not rules, that shows what you can do as a writer as opposed to what you should do…The book is beautifully carpentered, the prose equivalent of a Shaker table, which I predict will hold up to continued and hard use as the years go by and it mellows into a classic and a keeper.”

    — Madeleine Blais, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and author of In These Girls, Hope Is a Miracle and Uphill Walkers
  • “In this terrific book, Roy Peter Clark helps us see that what we secretly hoped is true—that any person, at any stage, can become a better writer…Every writer should have this book.”

    — Diana K. Sugg, Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter, Baltimore Sun
  • “This is a useful tool for writers at all levels of experience, and it’s entertainingly written, with plenty of helpful examples.”

    — Booklist

Writing Tools Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.58333333333333 out of 54.58333333333333 out of 54.58333333333333 out of 54.58333333333333 out of 54.58333333333333 out of 5 (4.58)
5 Stars: 15
4 Stars: 8
3 Stars: 1
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I love this book. It is very helpful. I love the free itunes download for this book. "

    — Sharen, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " best craft book so far "

    — Estelle, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " An outstanding tool for any writer... a far superior book with its short chapters and it is extremely well-organized from fine grammar points to larger plot issues... no additional reading required to understand the tools inside this book... a strong recommend "

    — C.G., 2/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " An excellent book. Easy to read and ready reference when it comes to verbs, nouns, -ing words and the long sentence, such as this one. The workshop exercises are ideal and gave me the tools to examine my own writing. "

    — Will, 2/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Well written and easy to digest. I love the idea of these tips as tools in a toolbox rather than rules to follow. "

    — Mark, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A lot of really good tips and information for fine-tuning one's writing. A must-have reference for a writer's bookshelf. "

    — N.L., 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great review of the fundamentals of writing in general and journalism in particular. Should be part of every writer's reference library, ready at hand next to your computer. "

    — Jen, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Every aspiring writer should read this book. It was written for journalists but Clark's advice works across genres for all types of writing. "

    — Emanuella, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very good. Could use a little more depth in a few sections. "

    — Ted, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " No better book for writers of any persuasion. So smart, so common sense. "

    — Sharon, 12/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book has earned a place by my side for my future as a journalist. Amazing and thought-provoking advice that I will definitely be using in my writing. "

    — Olivia, 12/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great ideas on how to be a good writer. "

    — Kail, 10/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The tools are solid, good advice. Of course, they're pretty basic--stuff that would likely be encountered in any prose workshop. On the other hand, it's helpful to be reminded of some of that "basic" information occasionally. Readable and clear with workshop assignments at the end of each chapter. "

    — Susan, 10/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Tips for writers of all stripes from a master journalist and experienced writing teacher. I've been a professional writer for 25 years and I learned from this. Nice short chapters. Includes exercises. "

    — Faith, 9/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Very practical. I will be able to apply many of the "tools" to my writing. "

    — Sandra, 8/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Will definitely come back later when there is a better opportunity for writing career. "

    — Mac, 7/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Excellent book on writing for two simple reasons: Clark keeps his points short and concise, and he makes the point applicable and usable for the writer. Highly recommended. "

    — Steven, 5/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of my favorite books. "

    — Mary, 4/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great book on tools of the trade "

    — Katia, 12/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent advice on improvement of writing skills. It's rather like a styles book, with emphasis on how to pack more power in your writing and how to ensure your skills stay sharp. "

    — Holmes, 8/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A fun little tome that provided a slew of encouragements, thoughts, and ideas for anyone who is wanting to write well. "

    — Scott, 8/1/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Whatever good it does me. LOL. Will always continue to read this book. "

    — Nicci, 7/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Best "How to write" book I've ever read. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in writing. "

    — NicAlba, 6/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great tips. He examines the greats for us, and gives us the a lifetimes of his insights. Thanks Roy Peter Clark for your work! He's saved me a lot of work/time trying to dissect them on my own! Bravo. He kept is all short and concise, E.B. White style. "

    — Kim, 6/15/2012

About Roy Peter Clark

Roy Peter Clark is vice president and senior scholar at The Poynter Institute, one of the most prestigious schools for journalists in the world. He has taught writing for more than thirty years and has spoken about the writer’s craft on The Oprah Winfrey Show and NPR. A writer who teaches and a teacher who writes, he has authored or edited a number books about writing and journalism, including Writing Tools and The Glamour of Grammar. He lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.