Reading like a Writer - Francine Prose

kennyc · 01-28-2013, 07:06 AM

I've read this a couple of times and always find it helpful, useful and often find something new that I missed or is just now making sense. She advocates 'careful reading' and provides tons of examples and excerpts from well-known books. I've had the hardback for a while but just noticed that there is an ebook available and so purchased it last night. So much nicer to have my useful books in ebook form!

(it is almost worth the price for the "Books to be Read Immediately" list at the end/appendix to the book.

http://www.amazon.com/Reading-Like-W...+like+a+writer

P.S. Since the target appears to be writers I posted this here, but it just as readily applies to serious readers as well.

gmw · 01-28-2013, 07:10 AM

Sounds like an interesting book ... but I can't help wondering if she changed her name for marketing purposes.

kennyc · 01-28-2013, 07:25 AM

I wondered that myself but don't think so, at least as far as I can tell.

I mean who would do that (other than Kim Dotcom)?

orlok · 01-28-2013, 08:47 AM

I read it last year in pBook. Had to order it from the US as I couldn't source it here. Lots of interesting suggestions - not sure I always agreed with her on which are the "must read" books, or some of the examples she gives as being the best illustrations of what she was saying, but certainly well worth a read.

kennyc · 01-28-2013, 08:50 AM

I don't think any writers (or readers) ever fully agree on "must reads" or best examples.

I personally don't care for the 'romance' type classics which she uses for numerous examples, but still found them informative.

orlok · 01-28-2013, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

I don't think any writers (or readers) ever fully agree on "must reads" or best examples.

I personally don't care for the 'romance' type classics which she uses for numerous examples, but still found them informative.

Agreed

.

The romance classics was exactly my issue

.

Dr. Drib · 01-28-2013, 09:38 AM

Francine Prose has been around for a number of years, and is a highly regarded writer.

To the best of my knowledge, this has always been her name.

Don

gmw · 01-28-2013, 09:58 PM

I knew I should have added a smiley to my previous post.

No offense meant to Francine Prose, I just thought the coincidence of the book subject and author name was rather neat.

James_Wilde · 01-29-2013, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

I don't think any writers (or readers) ever fully agree on "must reads" or best examples.

I personally don't care for the 'romance' type classics which she uses for numerous examples, but still found them informative.

Romance type classics? One more reason to buy this book. Sorry, Kenny, but thanks for the tip.

kennyc · 01-29-2013, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James_Wilde

Romance type classics? One more reason to buy this book. Sorry, Kenny, but thanks for the tip.

Ha! If by that you mean Pride and Prejudice and the Bronte's then. Sure, yer welcome.

It's still a great book!

morriss003 · 02-01-2013, 02:05 PM

Her wiki page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francine_Prose

James_Wilde · 02-19-2013, 03:42 PM

Hm. Well, I bought it, and I'm a few chapters in. The conclusion I have come to so far is that I don't read like a writer. I assume I read like a reader. I lose myself in the story, which is presumably what the writer wants me to do.

Of course, if it's a good book I've picked up, I will read it again, and again, and again, and will gain a little more each time, but I'm too eager to get to the dénuément (sp?) to take it one word at a time.

The thought that springs to mind is not seeing the wood for the trees.

kennyc · 02-19-2013, 03:45 PM

I was just re-reading the chapters on "Characterization and Dialog" as I took my noonisn walk.

VydorScope · 02-19-2013, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James_Wilde

Hm. Well, I bought it, and I'm a few chapters in. The conclusion I have come to so far is that I don't read like a writer. I assume I read like a reader. I lose myself in the story, which is presumably what the writer wants me to do.

I absolutely read like a reader - which is why I am a horrible editor/proof reader. My skill at transparent on the fly error correction and belief suspension is off the charts.

BenBanned · 02-20-2013, 03:26 PM

Chuck Wendig- read like a writer

01-28-2013, 07:06 AM	#1
kennyc Priorities! Priorties! Posts: 29,923 Karma: 36859010 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Galaxy SIII; Xoom; Kindle Fire	Reading like a Writer - Francine Prose I've read this a couple of times and always find it helpful, useful and often find something new that I missed or is just now making sense. She advocates 'careful reading' and provides tons of examples and excerpts from well-known books. I've had the hardback for a while but just noticed that there is an ebook available and so purchased it last night. So much nicer to have my useful books in ebook form! (it is almost worth the price for the "Books to be Read Immediately" list at the end/appendix to the book. http://www.amazon.com/Reading-Like-W...+like+a+writer P.S. Since the target appears to be writers I posted this here, but it just as readily applies to serious readers as well. __________________ Kenny A. Chaffin Art Gallery - Print Gallery - Writing&Poetry "Strive on with Awareness" - Siddhartha Gautama Last edited by kennyc; 01-28-2013 at 07:08 AM.

01-28-2013, 07:10 AM	#2
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 1,394 Karma: 62621233 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Sony650	Sounds like an interesting book ... but I can't help wondering if she changed her name for marketing purposes. __________________ G. M. Worboys Author website or find me on Amazon.

01-28-2013, 07:25 AM	#3
kennyc Priorities! Priorties! Posts: 29,923 Karma: 36859010 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Galaxy SIII; Xoom; Kindle Fire	I wondered that myself but don't think so, at least as far as I can tell. I mean who would do that (other than Kim Dotcom)? __________________ Kenny A. Chaffin Art Gallery - Print Gallery - Writing&Poetry "Strive on with Awareness" - Siddhartha Gautama Last edited by kennyc; 01-28-2013 at 07:34 AM.

01-28-2013, 08:50 AM	#5
kennyc Priorities! Priorties! Posts: 29,923 Karma: 36859010 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Galaxy SIII; Xoom; Kindle Fire	I don't think any writers (or readers) ever fully agree on "must reads" or best examples. I personally don't care for the 'romance' type classics which she uses for numerous examples, but still found them informative. __________________ Kenny A. Chaffin Art Gallery - Print Gallery - Writing&Poetry "Strive on with Awareness" - Siddhartha Gautama

01-28-2013, 09:38 AM	#7
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 21,546 Karma: 6945377 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Borja (Lima), Peru Device: Pcktbk 360; Kindle Paperwhite (WiFi)/ Fire HD; nook STR & Col; KoboGlo	Francine Prose has been around for a number of years, and is a highly regarded writer. To the best of my knowledge, this has always been her name. Don __________________ “How to Write the First 3 Paragraphs of YOUR Indie Novel” - by Max Waxwelp 1) Always write 3 sentences of exposition; 2) now create some dialogue, preferably no more than 2 sentences; and 3) make certain the dialogue is either inane or humorous. Example: “Bob, I did not know you wore yellow suspenders,” Sally remarked. “Gee, Sally, those are not suspenders. I am wearing yellow underwear today,” Bob revealed. The dialogue above will help produce at least 100 more pages of dialogue.

01-28-2013, 08:47 AM	#4
orlok Desperation Posts: 7,158 Karma: 207431774 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Fire HD, Kobo glo	I read it last year in pBook. Had to order it from the US as I couldn't source it here. Lots of interesting suggestions - not sure I always agreed with her on which are the "must read" books, or some of the examples she gives as being the best illustrations of what she was saying, but certainly well worth a read.

01-28-2013, 09:58 PM	#8
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 1,394 Karma: 62621233 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Sony650	I knew I should have added a smiley to my previous post. No offense meant to Francine Prose, I just thought the coincidence of the book subject and author name was rather neat. __________________ G. M. Worboys Author website or find me on Amazon.

02-01-2013, 02:05 PM	#11
morriss003 Addict Posts: 394 Karma: 3042018 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Maui Device: kindle	Her wiki page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francine_Prose __________________ "Kids do not appreciate subtlety in adults when they are trying to understand something." Stan Morris Books: Surviving the Fog, Surviving the Fog-Kathy's Recollections, Sam's Winnings, Kate's Movie Star, Amy's Hero, Sarah's Spaceship Adventure, and The Colors of Passion and Love.

02-19-2013, 03:42 PM	#12
James_Wilde Guru Posts: 727 Karma: 4321462 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Iriver Story	Hm. Well, I bought it, and I'm a few chapters in. The conclusion I have come to so far is that I don't read like a writer. I assume I read like a reader. I lose myself in the story, which is presumably what the writer wants me to do. Of course, if it's a good book I've picked up, I will read it again, and again, and again, and will gain a little more each time, but I'm too eager to get to the dénuément (sp?) to take it one word at a time. The thought that springs to mind is not seeing the wood for the trees. __________________ "An Apple for Teacher" now available at Amazon as a paper book or in epub and mobi formats.

02-19-2013, 03:45 PM	#13
kennyc Priorities! Priorties! Posts: 29,923 Karma: 36859010 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Galaxy SIII; Xoom; Kindle Fire	I was just re-reading the chapters on "Characterization and Dialog" as I took my noonisn walk. __________________ Kenny A. Chaffin Art Gallery - Print Gallery - Writing&Poetry "Strive on with Awareness" - Siddhartha Gautama

02-20-2013, 03:26 PM	#15
BenBanned Groupie Posts: 153 Karma: 1326166 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NJ Device: Opus	Chuck Wendig- read like a writer

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