If you can talk, you can write

Book

If you can talk, you can write / Joel Saltzman.

Summary:

When we talk, we tell stories and present ideas--rarely with much anxiety. But think about writing something and panic sets in. Overcome this crippling response by learning how to "talk" on paper. Joel Saltzman tells it like it is--with compassion, humor, and the "uncommon wisdom" of famous writers, artists, and musicians. Based on his popular workshop for the UCLA Writers' Program, this is a program with proven results.

Record details

ISBN: 0446395072
ISBN: 9780446395076
Physical Description: xviii, 190 pages ; 21 cm
Publisher: New York : Warner Books, ©1993.

Content descriptions

Formatted Contents Note:: pt. 1. From fear to freedom. -- The fortune cookie that saved my life -- If at first you don't succeed, don't be surprised -- Nobody likes to write (but everyone loves to have written) -- If writing's so wonderful, what's stopping me -- "Talking" on paper -- If you don't know what to say, start saying it -- Now I know what I should have said! -- Shut up, already, I'm trying to write -- Why dead men float (and what we can learn from them) -- Pop quiz #1 -- pt. 2. Writing vs. "talking" on paper. -- Write one paragraph as badly as possible -- Is this good writing? -- It's muzak to my ears -- Pick a word, any word -- But what about grammar? -- Pop quiz #2 -- pt. 3. But what do I write about? -- Write about what you know -- Write about what you don't know -- Friends to fiction -- Write about what matters to you -- Write about things you've researched -- Pop quiz #3 -- pt. 4. Writing vs. rewriting or okay I've finally got a first draft, now what? -- How could you say something so stupid? -- First, wait awhile -- Read it out loud -- But it's not even close to perfect -- What am I trying to say anyway? -- When in doubt, throw out -- Tinker, tailor, tinker some more -- Make it as simple as possible -- Don't be afraid to add or expand -- Pop quiz #4 -- pt. 5. Rules of the road. -- Progress, not perfection -- Don't you need a lot of discipline to be a writer? -- A page a day keeps the worry away -- First, do a warm-up -- Imitation is a very smart idea -- There's nothing new under the sun -- Stumped? -- Writer's block (chipping away at it) -- Writing as therapy? You bet your life! -- Chances are you'll write something pretty good -- Criticism -- Self-criticism -- Do it your way -- Don't be shy -- In search of inspiration -- Scraps and overheads: grab that idea -- Private writing in public spaces -- But I don't have time to write -- Get rejected, not dejected -- Persistence -- Talent -- Advice -- Pop quiz #5 -- One last word.