01-28-2013, 07:06 AM | #1 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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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. Last edited by kennyc; 01-28-2013 at 07:08 AM. |
01-28-2013, 07:10 AM | #2 |
cacoethes scribendi
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Sounds like an interesting book ... but I can't help wondering if she changed her name for marketing purposes.
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01-28-2013, 07:25 AM | #3 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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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)?
Last edited by kennyc; 01-28-2013 at 07:34 AM. |
01-28-2013, 08:47 AM | #4 |
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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.
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01-28-2013, 08:50 AM | #5 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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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. |
01-28-2013, 08:56 AM | #6 | |
Close to the Edit!
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Quote:
The romance classics was exactly my issue . |
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01-28-2013, 09:38 AM | #7 |
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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 |
01-28-2013, 09:58 PM | #8 |
cacoethes scribendi
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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.
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01-29-2013, 03:54 PM | #9 |
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Romance type classics? One more reason to buy this book. Sorry, Kenny, but thanks for the tip.
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01-29-2013, 03:56 PM | #10 |
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02-01-2013, 02:05 PM | #11 |
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Her wiki page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francine_Prose
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02-19-2013, 03:42 PM | #12 |
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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. |
02-19-2013, 03:45 PM | #13 |
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I was just re-reading the chapters on "Characterization and Dialog" as I took my noonisn walk.
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02-19-2013, 06:39 PM | #14 | |
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Quote:
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. |
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02-20-2013, 03:26 PM | #15 |
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