The Art of Slow Writing: Reflections on Time, Craft, and Creativity

Sit down and actually write. I just gave you about 80% of the book in 5 words. This book describes itself as an "antidote to self-help books that preach the idea of fast-writing", but it's really just another self-help book that isn't even that interesting to read. The premise of the book is to balance "actually sit down and write" with "writing is a long uncertain journey". Sure, these are good tips, but the book could've been a pamphlet.The book belabors these points over and over, to the point that I felt coddled. If there are good ideas in here, they're hidden behind massive amounts of prose and irrelevant side-characters. This book is a mish-mash of memoir, self-help, and literature non-fiction, but it is not a coherent work. Any lessons in here about writing are only to be learned incidentally.The author is a highly accomplished academic writer, publishing many books on literature figures, but connecting with others' process of writing is not her forte. I think what the author was trying to convey is "writing is really hard and that's ok". Which is a great message, but this book did not get me excited to go write. Though it did make me write this, so.....mission accomplished lol.For anyone looking for a good book on the difficulty of writing that will also make you super excited to write is Stephen King's "On Writing". That book is incredible and I found myself putting the book down pretty often because I wanted to go write instead of read more, which I think King would think is the best possible outcome of a book on the craft of writing.

In short, conversational chapters, author and writing coach Louise DeSalvo offers comfort and inspiration to writers at any stage of development. As a beginning memoirist, I savored the detailed description of the hidden struggles and triumphs of authors like Virginia Woolf, Anne Tyler, and Ian McEwan as they navigate the writing life. Her practical, personal examples include the gamut of genres she has mastered: memoir, fiction, and writing guidebooks.This book felt like a handbook to me. My copy of the work is dog-eared and underlined. The fly-leaf features notes with page numbers of passages I found especially useful. She even suggests a flexible formula for the beginning writer on page 240: ABDCE. Curious? Buy the book!DeSalvo never confuses "slow" with "uninspired" or "careless." Rather she distills the wisdom of her long experience as she examines the patience and endurance required in the writing process. Her meditative approach to writing along with advice I can use earns this book a 5-star review, one I seldom accord any book, particularly one on writing.

I'm enjoying reading through Slow Writing! Am shoring myself up for writing efforts to come. thanks so much for writing Slow Writing,,,

Oh, my! I borrowed this book from the library and have alternated between guzzling it and making my self read only one chapter a night, after work and before sleep. It is such a fine book, with so much good meat and helpful references to the work of others, and the premise--that writing/working slowly is an art, not something for writers to beat themselves up over--is like a refreshing draught of water in this time of instant this and how to do more in less time. I have not yet finished reading--am only on page 278--but I *must* have a copy of my own to read and reread and refer to and savor as I work. If I had the financial wherewithal I would buy copies for all of my friends who write. Thank you, Louise Salvo! (How I wish I could be a student in one of your memoir classes, but this book will be the next best thing.)

I thoroughly enjoyed Louise DeSalvo's The Art of Slow Writing. I am a slow writer, and when so many others praise the practice of fast writing, this book reassured me that it is indeed okay to be a slow writer. I loved all the references to various authors and books and made a reading list for myself as I read through the book. This will be a book I recommend to other writers.

In our production oriented world, we need a work like this reminding us that good art often takes time to unfold, and that is okay. The book is full of the love and appreciation of writing and inspires the reader to do likewise.

Very informative about famous authors and how they organized their writing activity. Very credible suggestions about how to organize oneself to be more effective as a writer. Very readable and inspiring. There's hope for more of us. If I had known earlier the facts in this book, I would have been much further along by now.

Using examples from well-known authors, DeSalvo gives a spirited defense of writing as an art form that requires a long and rigorous apprenticeship. Her message couldn't have come at a better time. It is far too easy now to push writing into the public arena without giving enough care and attention to the skills a writer needs to make his writing the best it can be.

Muy inspirador, me ha encantado. Lo compré y no podía parar de leerlo. Si te apetece escribir pero no te acabas de animar o piensas que no tienes tiempo o simplemente si te apetece leer algo bien escrito e inspirador es un libro buenisimo. La autora habla de su propia experiencia, de la de otros escritores, menciona mucho a Virginia Woolf, qué hacían, qué problemas se les planteaban en su día a día y da ideas sobre el proceso de escribir. No tengo un gran nivel de inglés pero está tan bien escrito que se entiende perfectamente, escritura simple y sofisticada. Lo recomiendo y, de hecho, sé que lo voy a leer varias veces.

I'm nearing the end of this book and still glad I bought it. Each chapter is short and laden with ideas about combating the various problems that authors encounter while writing. Ideas like how important it is to work hard to how important it is to to take time off and relax. What can an author do when they are having problems with a block or a feeling that there isn't enough time to work on their novel. There's something for every author type in here and all of them are helpful and insightful.The author is obviously nuts about Virginia Woolf. I found it interesting how the author has spend a lot of time reading Virginia Woolf's diaries and journals and gleaning insight about processes of writing from them.If you're looking for something to buck you up, give you courage or bring you, as an author, back to earth and realise that you're not the only one who has problems, then, you can't go wrong with this book.

This book was, without doubt, the best thing I have read to help with my fledgeling writing career. If you have any desire to be an author, or indeed, a desire to write that won't be denied, read this book. It's awesome!

My personal favorite writing book.