Why did I read the book?
Inspiration for reading this book came from my daughter.
She writes and her stories won awards and accolades.
My puzzle was what makes one a good writer? What made her a good writer?
This puzzle invites me as a behavior researcher, teacher, mentor, and coach.
What can help one become a competent writer?
Can we reverse-engineer the process and train anyone to be a competent writer?
Writing competency is a set of skills- that will help one in creative writing (fiction), useful writing (non-fiction), and persuasive writing (business writing).
I am developing this competency-based writing workshop. The workshop is intended for young writers (children in school) and one more for academic writers (doctoral students in business school).
This encouraged me to read this book.
Who shall read the book?
Three kinds of readers will benefit from this book.
- First young writers. Writers who are still in school. Writers, who are preparing themselves for future higher education and flexing their writing muscles.
- Second – those who work with young writers. Those who teach classes, conduct workshops and mentor young writers.
- Third parents. If your child reads and enjoys writing. This book helps you to know how you can support your child.
Inviting Cover
The book has an inviting cover. Author’s hands, typewriter, wristwatch – reminds pre-internet, pre-mobile era, suggesting antidote for mobile addicts, Instagram and tik-tok young generation. I bought it on a hunch, that it would help me to help my daughter.
Authors Credentials
The author of non-fiction must have a good credential. Ruskin Bond is an accomplished author. He has been writing primarily for children for the last 68 years! That’s like the granddaddy of kids who wish to learn writing. He has written 69 books with more than 500 stories. That is an illustrious career. No wonder the government has conferred two highest civilian awards on him.
My main key takeaways from this book are:
First, why write
Bond emphasizes reading. Good readers are good writers. He insists one shall write to express oneself. The writer shall have a love of books, a love of life, and a love for language. Such love will encourage one to express oneself as a writer. So check with your child, love of books, love of language, and love for life.
Second, note-taking:
One thing that appealed to me – is Bond’s emphasis on note-taking. What separates the habitual, seasoned reader and beginner writer is notes! The writer takes notes, copious notes. Of what they read, what they observe, what thoughts play in the mind. Bond advises – always carry a notebook with you. (I am reading a couple of books on note-taking, and will post my reviews soon). He gives an example of Somerset Maughm’s book “Writers Notebook”.
Third, writing habit:
Another of his suggestions, that appealed to me is – writing habit. Writers write habitually. They don’t wait for inspiration. They just write. Bond advises daily at least 2 pages. He writes every morning. This is indispensable advice whether you are a young writer, academic writer, fiction writer, or business writer. Just write every day. This is the first lesson in my workshop! It’s a hallmark, sine qua non of becoming a writer.
Fourth, simple words:
Words should be simple, clear, and precise. The book gives a simple exercise. Take a word from the dictionary like “Fat”. And see what you can do with this word. The same advice is given by The Economist (Book- Writing with style). ( I admire “Economist” writing.) George Orwell – a master writer of 1984, Animal Farm, also has a similar rule, “Never use a long word, where a short one will do”. And then make your sentences from these words.
Fifth, Stumbling blocks in writing:
For a young writer, criticism is a stumbling block. Bond tells how to handle it. Another stumbling block is – writer’s block. Bond’s solution is very practical. I simply loved it. I was using it unknowingly. Now I am deliberate about it. Before you sit down to write, just play the story in your mind. (I tried and It works like a wonder.)
Finally, he talks about publishing. Bond warns it may take weeks, months, or years to get your work published. And he advises against spending money to print a few copies. Selling them is difficult (And that’s not what writers do)
The book ends with a good list of recommendations. Recommendations to read. Wide variety of authors, and their works. The book is worth reading – just for this list.
One can read this book fast and quick. No difficult words, no juggling of ideas. It is as Bond advises – clear, succinct, and simple. It’s conversational and accessible.
It is like having a granddaddy sharing his lifelong experience and advice with young writers.
The book is high on my list as a gift item for young writers.
