HOW TO WRITE LIKE A WRITER

Encouragement for beginning writers.

Foster brings his experience as a teacher and writer to this genial guide to the writing process. Any piece of writing, he notes, is a conversation between writer and reader, a notion exemplified by his own chatty, informal style. Though focusing on nonfiction writing, such as essays, newsletters, opinion pieces, profiles, and reports, Foster acknowledges that the techniques and guidance he offers can just as well apply to fiction, poetry, or drama. Rather than approach writing as rules to be memorized or “formulas to be copied and applied as needed,” the author presents writing as a way of discovering the world as well as “an occasion for increasing self-knowledge.” In his view, “it is okay to have a writing personality, to not erase yourself from your writing,” and even to use I, which some writing teachers forbid. He cautions against what Gail Godwin famously called the “Watcher at the Gate,” the pesky self-editor that threatens to silence a writer’s voice. As Foster sees it, writers can be undermined by worry, self-doubt, overconfidence, vagueness, poor structure, and dishonesty—i.e., deliberately spreading misinformation. Throughout the book, he provides exercises—in argument, analysis, description, and crafting an introduction, for example—and lists of guidelines. He breaks down the writing process, beginning with “invention,” which can include daydreaming and journaling; and proceeding to organizing, crafting an effective ending, and—crucially important—revising at the sentence, paragraph, and structural levels. He underscores the importance of supporting claims with evidence: facts, data, testimony, experts’ findings, anecdotes, and quotes. At a time when shifty disinformation seems to be everywhere, he discusses how to evaluate the credibility of a source. “Every piece of writing,” he emphasizes, “is an argument, even if its only point is, ‘I’m worth reading.’ ” His overarching advice to writers is simple: “Write every day….Read. Widely.”

Sturdy practical advice to build confidence and skill.