A Writer's Coach: An Editor's Guide to Words That Work Book Review

Books on writing often reiterate the same advice we learn over time, the reader sometimes lucks out in using a tidbit or two. Realistically, no one has time to study the advice and put it to practice. Thus, it’s not a bad thing for a book on writing to cover the things we’ve read before. The more we read about it, the more it sinks in.

But you can’t read A Writer’s Coach in the same way you read any other writing book. This one goes deeper meaning a reader may absorb the information better by reading one chapter at a time to understand and practice the concepts.

Coaching an athlete to improve at something doesn’t happen overnight. Thus, this book targets the serious writer who needs to move beyond the basic books on writing in order to take writing to the next level.

I try to avoid writing general reviews that tell the reader nothing, but Hart is a master in explaining the concepts of the method, process, structure, and everything else he covers. It’s difficult to capture them into a little review when I try to avoid long reviews.

Business and life coaching grow more popular because they’re effective in helping people change behavior and improve. In thinking about coaches, I reflected on my childhood years when I played sports. The best coaches point out the right way to swing a bat, serve a volleyball, or shoot a basket.

They also help players review their weaker moves so they can fix their form rather than let them continue using bad form, which will hurt them in the end. “Coach” is a fitting word in the title because Hart takes the coaching approach in showing the writer the right form for taking an idea from start to finish.

The book speaks more to journalists and non-fiction writers. However, much advice works across all writing genres — so those who thrive on telling stories can glean a few valuable lessons from Hart.

Expect to find high-quality content that you find in the best college textbooks — except subtract the stiff and convoluted writing. Hart’s writing style makes the reading easy. A Writer’s Coach contains smart, clear and logical guidance that will take a writer’s writing skills to the next level.

Title: A Writer’s Coach: An Editor’s Guide to Words That Work
Author: Jack R. Hart
Publisher: Pantheon
ISBN: 0375423273
Date: August 2006
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 304

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