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ramonamead's review against another edition
2.0
I went into this expecting instruction on essay writing. Instead, it's more of a humorous look at what being a writer means to each person and the questions they have. It's not necessarily a bad book but I didn't take away much that will help me with my own writing. I've enjoyed other books by this author and I'm sure it will land with some writers but it was a miss for me.
axxias's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The humor of the book is very witty and fun, yet it answers the burning questions writer's have about their career aspirations and goals. It started to lose steam at the end, however, so the length was just perfect for what the goal was.
kritikanarula's review against another edition
4.0
Originally reviewed at So many Books, So little time
Disclaimer: The tone and candour of my review is inspired from the writer's in the book. No offence meant.
How can you read non-fiction like this and not fall in love with the genre? The whole genre owes you, sir. Or to your humor. I am not sure if we can separate the two, would you answer that for me.
Well, for starters you know you will fall into this book as soon as it opens because of well, this:
Hilarity ensues from page one. To say that the book has wit and sarcasm at its best seems an understatement. Our essay writer guy here answers to one of the letters, "I believe the best way to avoid coming off as a male chauvinist pig might be to not be a male chauvinist pig? Is that a stretch?"
And this is just the first answer, well, part of it. To think I was on a rollercoaster of laughter these entire 8 hours that I was reading the book. Okay, not entire though. There was this instance where the writer launched into some story about Zebras. I felt dozing off would be insulting so I just skimmed through it. But don't tell this to anyone- I've read the whole book otherwise.
From questions about em dash, and writing on napkins, to graphics that simply make you want to double up- what is not to devour in the book? The author has given and taken insults alike.
One thing is certain: the author will not write about his daughter. Why, you ask? "Whatever I wrote about my daughter, I had to live with it, and so did she, and I didn't want to screw the relationship up more than my ineptitude and the vicissitudes of her becoming a teenager already had."
The humor does not mean there's no wisdom. The author has cloaked the knowledge and insights about writing in wit. After all, what better way to teach than through humor- the universally attractive element?
Will I buy this book? Most definitely I will! Do I recommend this book? In case you haven't read the entire review, most definitely I do!
Disclaimer: The tone and candour of my review is inspired from the writer's in the book. No offence meant.
How can you read non-fiction like this and not fall in love with the genre? The whole genre owes you, sir. Or to your humor. I am not sure if we can separate the two, would you answer that for me.
Well, for starters you know you will fall into this book as soon as it opens because of well, this:
Hilarity ensues from page one. To say that the book has wit and sarcasm at its best seems an understatement. Our essay writer guy here answers to one of the letters, "I believe the best way to avoid coming off as a male chauvinist pig might be to not be a male chauvinist pig? Is that a stretch?"
And this is just the first answer, well, part of it. To think I was on a rollercoaster of laughter these entire 8 hours that I was reading the book. Okay, not entire though. There was this instance where the writer launched into some story about Zebras. I felt dozing off would be insulting so I just skimmed through it. But don't tell this to anyone- I've read the whole book otherwise.
From questions about em dash, and writing on napkins, to graphics that simply make you want to double up- what is not to devour in the book? The author has given and taken insults alike.
One thing is certain: the author will not write about his daughter. Why, you ask? "Whatever I wrote about my daughter, I had to live with it, and so did she, and I didn't want to screw the relationship up more than my ineptitude and the vicissitudes of her becoming a teenager already had."
The humor does not mean there's no wisdom. The author has cloaked the knowledge and insights about writing in wit. After all, what better way to teach than through humor- the universally attractive element?
Will I buy this book? Most definitely I will! Do I recommend this book? In case you haven't read the entire review, most definitely I do!
therealnani's review
4.0
I'm the most annoying kind of writer--the kind of writer that thinks about writing all the time but never actually writes anything. I love to read about writing, which is why I requested a review copy of Dinty W. Moore's Dear Mister Essay Writer Guy. (Two things: Sorry, Blogging for Books, for taking so long! And also, sorry, Mr. Moore, I'd never heard of you before reading this book...) It seemed like a fun book and I totally was judging this book by its cover when I hit the request button. I finally picked it up the other day, resisting the siren call of my iPhone and Two Dots to whip through the book. I finished it in two days, which apparently passes for "whipping through" these days, though in the past, it meant mere hours. Whatever.
The premise of the book is that writers wrote in their questions about essay writing to Mr. Moore, and Mr. Moore wrote letters back, each followed by an essay written by way of example. It took me awhile to decide whether the letters were real, and as of this writing, I'm still not sure... BUT I really admire the way Mr. Moore was able to crank out these neat little essays to demonstrate the various conundrums presented by advice seekers. Sometimes I give away the books I get for review, but I'm keeping this one on my shelf as inspiration. You really can write an essay about absolutely anything and I would be well-served by the reminder every time I feel like I have nothing to write about.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes from Blogging for Books. Read the full review on my blog
The premise of the book is that writers wrote in their questions about essay writing to Mr. Moore, and Mr. Moore wrote letters back, each followed by an essay written by way of example. It took me awhile to decide whether the letters were real, and as of this writing, I'm still not sure... BUT I really admire the way Mr. Moore was able to crank out these neat little essays to demonstrate the various conundrums presented by advice seekers. Sometimes I give away the books I get for review, but I'm keeping this one on my shelf as inspiration. You really can write an essay about absolutely anything and I would be well-served by the reminder every time I feel like I have nothing to write about.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes from Blogging for Books. Read the full review on my blog
mwgerard's review
4.0
Essayist Moore invites his fellow writers to send in their questions about writing. They range from the amusing to the absurd to the insightful. His answers are equally varied. He often references the acknowledged progenitor of the form, Michel de Montaigne.
The father of the essay, it seems, lacked a simple notebook and pencil . This, as a matter of fact, is why we know have university degrees focused on the writing of nonfiction, so that such catastrophic oversights never occur again. ~Loc. 441
Moore answers each question and then follows it with an essay demonstrating the principle. The result is a schizophrenic yet illuminating collection of writings. He explored various styles and structures to great effect.
Read my full review here: http://mwgerard.com/books-for-october-15/
The father of the essay, it seems, lacked a simple notebook and pencil . This, as a matter of fact, is why we know have university degrees focused on the writing of nonfiction, so that such catastrophic oversights never occur again. ~Loc. 441
Moore answers each question and then follows it with an essay demonstrating the principle. The result is a schizophrenic yet illuminating collection of writings. He explored various styles and structures to great effect.
Read my full review here: http://mwgerard.com/books-for-october-15/
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