"Live Writing"

Author: Ralph Fletcher

Genre: Non-Fiction


“Ralph Fletcher” is a renowned author of the books “A Writer’s Notebook” and “Craft Lessons” amongst many falling in the same category. “Live writing” is another classical master piece for boring and clichéd writers to transform their drag, lifeless writing to the one that connects with the readers and hooks them up. It is built around the idea that writing can be refined if the writer follows some handy tips.

The book begins by illustrating a simple idea that all writers have a tool box which constitute their words, imagination and a story line that can be compiled together to construct a brilliant piece of writing. Not everyone is born a great writer. Some just become better by following certain rules of thumb to do this.

In the beginning he suggests all writers to read like writers. According to him, all great books have something to offer to an author: a great plot, a relatable character, or a connecting tone. Once a person gets into the habit of reading critically and thoroughly, s/he gets innumerable ideas on how to improve what they’ve written. Tactics that those writers have used to produce their work are demystified in this learning process.

Fletcher has set a YOU tone throughout this book. By directly talking to the reader he has made his tips more cognitive and comprehensive. The strategies that he has suggested are precious. He has dissected writing into a few components like the lead, the main body, the characters, the setting, the conflict or the turning point and the ending. He argues that each piece might not have a perfect commencement, a great conflict, an intriguing setting and a kick-ass ending. What sets one piece apart from the other is how beautifully one component is structured and presented to the audience. To authenticate his strategies, he has also provided examples of excerpts taken from other authors’ work that have made the impact.

The simple vocabulary used in “Live Writing” reflects the fact that it is a perfect guide for writers of all ages and demographics. The strategies revealed in this book can abet many to step out of their spheres of a fear for writing. If followed vigorously, it may change the lives of dubitable writers holistically.