Hi guys! Today I'll be reviewing "40 Tips on Creative Writing" by Dan Buri. A few years ago, I reviewed his book Pieces like Pottery and really enjoyed it! Click here to read my review. "40 Tips on Creative Writing" is a guide through the journey of writing and publishing a book, specifically for indie or self-published authors. In Pieces like Pottery, one of the characters is given a list of 40 Tips for College and Life by his former high school teacher. Buri adapted these tips and incorporated them into the book. The 40 Tips were one of my favorite parts of Pieces like Pottery, so I thought it was very creative and interesting that Buri adapted them for this book.
I know that some might immediately dismiss the book just because they aren't an author or they aren't planning on publishing a novel. While "40 Tips" is definitely a useful guide for beginning authors, many of the tips can also be applied to everyday life. You can even substitute writing for something else you want to accomplish. For example, Buri suggests setting aside a small block of time each day to focus on writing (Tip #3). But if you simply replace "writing" with "mastering an instrument" or "doing well in school," you can easily apply it to your own life.
I know that some might immediately dismiss the book just because they aren't an author or they aren't planning on publishing a novel. While "40 Tips" is definitely a useful guide for beginning authors, many of the tips can also be applied to everyday life. You can even substitute writing for something else you want to accomplish. For example, Buri suggests setting aside a small block of time each day to focus on writing (Tip #3). But if you simply replace "writing" with "mastering an instrument" or "doing well in school," you can easily apply it to your own life.
Some of the tips are deep and essential, such as Tip #6, "There is only one you." Buri writes, "Anyone who writes anything with passion and authenticity is more likely to captivate their audience, no matter how big or small that audience is." He then includes a beautiful insight, "All anyone can ever ask of us each day is to be the best possible version of yourself. That’s it. That’s all they can ask. And it’s all we can, and must ask of ourselves."
Some of the tips are more light-hearted and fun, but surprisingly still good advice. One tip I can definitely vouch for is Tip #4, "Don't dress like a bum all day," although I have to admit that I'm guilty. :)
One of my favorite parts of the book was when he gave advice for writers block. Writers block is something that plagues everybody, myself included. He gives six suggestions, all of which were super useful.
The second half of the book contains lots of information that would be useful for someone wishing to publish their book, whether it's self-published or not.
Another one of my favorite tips was #36: "There will come a time when you’re presented with decisions that compromise your values, know how you will respond before they happen." Buri effectively relates this to writing and publishing, but I can definitely see every-day applications, as I've faced this in my own life as well and being prepared would have made the decision a lot easier.
Overall, I really liked the book! It was a relatively quick read and I thought all of the tips were useful. They're especially helpful if you're a beginning author, but if you aren't, you can still apply the tips to your everyday life! It's also a great motivator. Every day, after reading a few of the tips, I felt myself ready to accomplish everything I had to do that day.
I'd like to end with two great quotes from the novel:
"But great writers are able to take the most mundane subjects and write marvelously about them."
“See the world as you want it to be, not as it currently is. “
Keep reading!
Colleen
Some of the tips are more light-hearted and fun, but surprisingly still good advice. One tip I can definitely vouch for is Tip #4, "Don't dress like a bum all day," although I have to admit that I'm guilty. :)
One of my favorite parts of the book was when he gave advice for writers block. Writers block is something that plagues everybody, myself included. He gives six suggestions, all of which were super useful.
The second half of the book contains lots of information that would be useful for someone wishing to publish their book, whether it's self-published or not.
Another one of my favorite tips was #36: "There will come a time when you’re presented with decisions that compromise your values, know how you will respond before they happen." Buri effectively relates this to writing and publishing, but I can definitely see every-day applications, as I've faced this in my own life as well and being prepared would have made the decision a lot easier.
Overall, I really liked the book! It was a relatively quick read and I thought all of the tips were useful. They're especially helpful if you're a beginning author, but if you aren't, you can still apply the tips to your everyday life! It's also a great motivator. Every day, after reading a few of the tips, I felt myself ready to accomplish everything I had to do that day.
I'd like to end with two great quotes from the novel:
"But great writers are able to take the most mundane subjects and write marvelously about them."
“See the world as you want it to be, not as it currently is. “
Keep reading!
Colleen