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Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer: The Artistry, Joy, and Career of Storytelling

Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer: The Artistry, Joy, and Career of Storytelling

by Straczynski, J Michael
No customer reviews yet ISBN 9781950665884 BenBella Books

2021 Best Indie Book Award - Writing

In the words of novelist Harlan Ellison, "The trick is not becoming a writer. The trick is staying a writer.

New York Times bestselling author and British Academy Award nominee J. Michael Straczynski knew he wanted to be a writer ever since he was a child. What he didn't know was how to actually become, or stay, a writer.

Now, he's giving fellow writers the comprehensive guide he wishes he had all along, personalized tips and techniques that can't be found in any other book on writing.

Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer culls from Straczynski's more than thirty years of experience writing for film, television, books, and comics. Designed for writers in any stage of their career, this quirky, insightful and often humorous book provides an inside look at these industries with advice and wisdom covering such topics such as:

  • What fledgling writers need to know to improve and sell their work--and avoid wasting valuable time

  • Tips for experienced writers who want to get to the next level

  • Staying disciplined when writing is your day job

  • Why writers should never wait for inspiration

  • Story-planning strategies that don't kill your spontaneity

  • Expert techniques for effective, memorable world-building

  • How to get an agent and survive the writer's journey in more personal relationships

  • Revising and editing with precision

  • When and how to reinvent yourself as an artist

    Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer includes Straczynski's unique, tried-and-true methodologies that will help storytellers sharpen their work so that it's polished and ready for publication. Part toolbox and part survival guide, this book will be an indispensable guide throughout your entire writing career, offering fresh and practical insights every step of the way.

    • About the author

    Product details

    BrandBenBella Books
    Pub dateJun 1, 2021
    ISBN-101950665887
    ISBN-139781950665884
    Paperback230.0 pages
    LanguageEnglish
    Dimensions8.9 × 0.7 × 5.9 in
    Weight2 lb
    Last updated 2026-07-28 10:18
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