Colum McCann is a great writer, no doubt about it in my mind, but what I didn’t know until picking up this book is that he is a well-respected instructor and mentor, teaching a writing class for some of the smartest young writers in America, chosen from a pool of many, some of whom have gone on to receive prestigious book awards.

Do not expect a writing manual. Far from it. Expect simple, practical and mindful wisdom, tips for the novice writer and encouragement to be adventurous and ‘break the rules.” Told in 52 essays with attention grabbing titles such as “No Rust on Your Sentences Please”, “Fuhgeddaboudit: Writing Dialogue” and “Don’t Be a Dick”, McCann’s insight into the art of writing is inspirational and down to earth, His advice seems to come from the heart and his own lessons learned. This book will make a great gift for fledgeling writers and, although I am not a writer, there were a number of things that will make me as a reader approach books more thoughtfully.

Any writer reading this will find a compilation of advice, great quotes, and miscellany on the writing life, the writing universe. In my experience, it was best read in sections. [Too much advice in too short of a time is bad.]

I found the book very compelling and interesting. Even though I am not a writer, itvwascinspiring.

5 stars is just not enough. I am not a writer but, I did not hesitate in the least to accept a digital review copy of this book when it was offered. If I were asked to name my favorite contemporary writers, Colum McCann would without a doubt be on that list. I knew that this would be beautifully written and it was.

This book was so meaningful to me even though I read this purely from the perspective of a an avid reader. It will change how I read a book from here on in. Whether it's a book I love or one not so much, McCann has given me a new respect for the writer, a respect for the intimate process that writing is, for all that it takes to put those words down, to order those words perfectly, to tell a story that can "whisper something beautiful in your ear".

I appreciated the quotes from various writers at the beginning of each chapter, but I mostly loved the things that McCann says about writers knowing "the most silent hour of the night ", about "this crafty sullen art" . I had goosebumps when he talks about the importance of language, urging the writer to "Listen for that quiet line." As a reader I'm always listening for "that quiet line" so this spoke to me , a reader whose favorite books are those that tell stories quietly.

Highly recommended to writers, old and young, to anyone who has loved a book by Colum McCann, actually to anyone who can say that reading is a part of who they are and believes in what McCann says , " Literature proposes possibilities and then makes truths of them. In storytelling we are given some of the most profound evidence of being alive ."

A million thanks to you Colum McCann for sharing so much of yourself here and in all you write. I received an advanced copy of this book from Random House through NetGalley,

First up this week is Letters to a Young Writer by Colum McCann. He obviously knows a thing or two about writing since his novel, Let The Great World Spin is an award winning book.

I am open to all advice about writing that I can possibly read. Never turn down help or advice on writing. I am eager to dig into this one and glean something helpful or thought provoking.

Here’s what you need to know:

Intriguing and inspirational, this book is a call to look outward rather than inward. McCann asks his readers to constantly push the boundaries of experience, to see empathy and wonder in the stories we craft and hear.

A paean to the power of language, both by argument and by example, Letters to a Young Writer is fierce and honest in its testament to the bruises delivered by writing as both a profession and a calling. It charges aspiring writers to learn the rules and even break them.

I hear its a fabulous story from beginning to end whether you are a writer or not.

This is wonderful advice but it makes writing seem very daunting to someone with only a glancing interest in it. Would totally recommend to someone with a stronger interest though!!!

5 zillion stars!

Dear Mr. McCann,

Could you adopt me? I know that's an unusual request coming from a 60-something woman, but I just had to ask. I know you have a family, but I won’t be noisy and interrupt the routine. I’ll try hard to keep my mouth shut. You’ll be batting around story ideas in your head and won’t even know I’m there. I have it all planned. We'll all be at the dinner table and I’ll ask you to pass the pepper and then you'll just start reciting your book. The meal-time poetry I never had. I’ll sit there forever, hoping you’ll just lean across the table and utter your entire book into my ear, this one long wise and brilliant poem with no beginning and no end. Of course, you’ve demanded that I carry a notebook, so I’ll scribble down snippets. Pure ecstasy, stuffing my head with your words as I stuff my mouth with the Chicken Kiev.

I love it that you practice what you preach. I know you know this, but your language sings like a happy canary. I absolutely loved this sentence:

“The idea of joy might need a long crazy ungrammatical sentence running on foolishly yeah breathlessly without care or custom just rapture pureness moving as if there’s a horse galloping underneath the words. Sadness, on the other hand, might need to be curt. Sharp. Dark. Alone.”

OMG do those sentences make my head dance! The rhythm slays me. I want to bring out my conga drum and let my fingers dance too! My head, my heart, my soul—all in! But then you’re liable to point out (without shaming me, I hope) that I’m being too noisy. I’m not a glass-is-half-full kind of gal, but I want to think that maybe you’ll encourage your family to get up and dance and we’ll all rock on out.

Okay, okay. You won't adopt me. I get it. It was a long shot. The paperwork alone would be a bitch. I'll just have to be happy being your devoted student. A compulsive one, one who had to highlight mostly every word of your book, which made the underlines sort of useless--nothing stands out because everything stands out. EVERYTHING!

Maybe I'll make a rule that if I highlight nine-tenths of a book, I have to reread it. Rereading it is not punishment, but a necessity, a treat, a piece of key lime pie. What can I say when I loved every single thing about this book? Your chapter titles alone pull me in: There Are No Rules; The Terror of the White Page; How Old Is a Young Writer. Then there’s the chapter Don’t Be a Dick, followed by the chapter: Then Again, Don’t Be Too Nice. I’m controlling myself by not listing the whole Table of Contents here--like I said, I loved Every. Single. Word.

Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re a really bossy guy, you know. I love it. I’m so in awe of you and your mind, I want to follow every directive you give. It’s not a contradiction that you’re also incredibly humble. And most important, you are so very inspirational. In fact, this is the most inspirational book I have ever read, bar none. To my glee and surprise, I actually wrote half of a short story the second I finished your book, and I’m jonesin’ to get back to it, with your astute advice playing out in my efforts.

I just love how you open each chapter with a cool quote by a writer. You selected beauties; every one of them made me stop and think and nod my head yes. I appreciate, too, that your chapters are short. It’s great for this ADD age. And it makes it easy to pick up your book and get a dose whenever I want—it’s like having a glass of sparkling water at my side.

My key takeaway (though it’s nearly impossible to limit it to one) is to keep my arse in the chair. I’m trying to make that my mantra. Of course I’ll have to change it to “keep my ass in the chair” since I’m American. I hope that’s okay with you.

Other off-the-top-of-my-head takeaways (since I give up—I can’t stop myself): You're never too old to start. There are no rules. Know grammar so you can twist it when you want to. Make your words sing (and dance). Have fun. Stay on track. Slow is okay. Carry a notebook. I’ve heard many of those things before, but you make it this playful and wise poem that’s so totally addictive. You also introduced me to new ideas, like reading aloud. Although I know that will feel weird at first, I think it’s a good idea because I’ll be able to hear the rhythm of the words.

Even though your book is about writing, I think non-writers will adore it too. The last few chapters about the publishing process are targeted to writers, yes, but the rest of the book is universal. Your book made my head dance, it made my heart sing. And there's no describing what it did to my soul. Best book, ever. This book has so many stars, it doesn't know what to do with them. I count my lucky stars that I got to read it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Why would someone like me -- a middle aged non writer with no aspirations to becoming a writer -- read and love Calum McCann's Letters to a Young Writer:

-Because when the publisher sent me a copy, I thought "why not", having previously loved McCann's fiction.
-Because it's beautifully written from beginning to end -- so many delicious sentences and passages worth highlighting and revisiting.
-Because while McCann purports to provide advice to young writers, he does much more -- his advice is not just for the young and it applies to so much in life beyond writing.
-Because I loved his sincerity and humility.
-Because I felt inspired.
-Because I laughed a bit, and smiled and nodded a lot.
-Because while I really don't have any aspirations to becoming a writer, he planted a seed of desire and inspiration.
-Because there are a few people I need to give this book to.
-Because he says it's ok to end a sentence with a preposition every now and then, as long as you do it knowingly and for the right effect -- mind you, my sentence above was pure laziness.
-Because I wish I lived in a world in which writing so intelligently and beautifully was broadly recognized and applauded rather than viewed suspiciously by many as elitist.
-Because it's short, can be read in snippets, and enjoyed in small pieces.
-Because I will definitely read it again.

Highly recommended to pretty much anyone who aspires to take risks, and to do anything with depth and dedication.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

Notice that the first dozen reviews are: "Vine Customer Review of Free Product." So, freebies from Amazon. Theirs show first because Amazon allows them to post before publication day. Hmm.

Another reviewer said that there's nothing really new here, and I agree. One essay runs three pages. Distilled, the advice: "Avoid cliches." Oh.

Another was three sentences long. "Be in the habit of hoping."? I doubt young writers will find that terribly useful.

Think of Letters as inspirational rather than practical, and pick it up only if you can get a deal on it.

When I was invited to review this book, my first thought was that I am not the intended audience. I am emphatically a reader and not a writer; I don't really want to see how the sausage is made, I just want to devour it. That being said, like any serious reader I've harbored secret dreams of writing my own masterpiece now and then, but I'm realistic and know that's probably not going to happen for a multitude of reasons.

You're in such good hands with McCann though no matter what the topic, and this collection was damn useful. The "letters" are brief and to the point with tons of quotable lines - I'd love to include some here but will refrain given this was an ARC. I actually felt a lot of the advice was just as prevalent for writing work emails as writing a novel. While i'm still under no illusions about my own ability to write a book, reading this lifted the veil of mystery from the process in such a positive and practical way that it left me feeling that maybe it wasn't entirely out of the question.

A few writing books have become must-reads for any aspiring English-language novelist: Stephen King’s On Writing, Ursula K. Le Guin’s Steering the Craft, William Zinsser’s On Writing Well. This year, Colum McCann‘s Letters to a Young Writer: Some Practical and Philosophical Advice joins that list. Consisting of 52 essays crammed with no-nonsense advice, Letters is a must-read for any Aspiring Writer.

In case you’re wondering who the eponymous Young Writer is, McCann himself asks that very question. Is a Young Writer any person who has never written before? Never published? Are they a person younger than 30? Younger than 50? Of course, anyone can be a Young Writer, provided they are green enough to need the advice McCann lays out. Unless they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’ll learn nothing from Letters to a Young Writer, every writer — Aspiring or Actual — should take the time to read it.

Early on in Letters to a Young Writer, McCann states that his book is not a writing guide. With all due respect to McCann, this reviewer must call him a liar. Granted, McCann means to say that his book — unlike The Elements of Style or the aforementioned On Writing Well — should not be used to style an Aspiring Writer’s work. Letters to a Young Writer doesn’t nitpick over sentence structure and word choice, and you’ll find no advice on the “Who vs. Whom” dilemma here. Even still, written in clipped sentences that read like Roy Peter Clark’s Writing Tools, Letters to a Young Writer is the best kind of writing guide: practical, informative, and motivating.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this review.

Published 3/18 on Goodreads, 3/20 on Kristian Wilson, Writing

good one, good practical advice, energizes you to doing better.

These short and pithy essays will certainly inspire many a young writer, as well as many older writers who fall into more a novice category. While not necessarily a "how-to" manual, McCann is an encouraging mentor to the reader who wants to write, and begins each essay with a famous quote. He addresses not just what writers need to succeed, but also the inevitability of failure. I particularly liked the essay "Your First Line," as I've always been a stalwart believer in a strong opening line!

Outstanding advice for those who want to write, and for current writers who want to fine tune their writing. I've read a few books who would have benefited greatly from the advice in Theis book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This slim volume of advice to young writers could also get away with the title "letters to young writers, or slightly older writers or even ancient writers and letters to people who ever wished they would pick up a pen or who think they still might, and letters to readers." of course, such a title would go against some of McCann's best advice found therein. It really is a book for anyone who has wondered at the words upon the page, who has been filled up with longing and optimism and contentment as they devour the contents of a book. McCann has looked into himself and come through it singing, his words forming a melody, a hymn praising the written word and those who endeavor to write.

This is not my first dance with Colum McCan and I now know it won’t be my last. This man has a way with words, a humble regality. Is that possible? I highlighted sentence after sentence, paragraph after paragraph in an attempt to preserve the words in my mind.

I am not a writer. I read, I read unceasingly. I read at home, at work, on planes, in foreign countries and in the wilderness. Reading this work, meant for writers, made me consider putting the book down for a bit and picking up the pen that I mostly use to correct the work of others.

"A story begins long before its first word. It ends long after its last."

This is a collection of letters on various subjects, aimed at encouraging the young writer. What constitutes a young rider? McCann himself isn’t concerned with that. He points out that beloved Frank McCourt (who surely is reading this one in heaven) was 64 when he began.

"To not know exactly where your story is going is a good thing. It may drive you mad for a little while, but there’s worse things than madness: try silence, for instance."

I could gush on endlessly and copy, paste quote after quote. Just read it. It’s short. It’s beautiful. It’s the work of Colum McCann. What a great book to beckon me back to this blog.

"Stories matter. They send our kids to war. They open up our pockets. They break our hearts."

Five of the brightest stars.

Expected Publication: April 4, 2017

I was given an e-copy of Colum McCann's latest book by the publisher, Random House via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

I would give this book more than 5 Stars if I could! It will become the "go-to" reference for both new and experienced writers. There is so much beneficial information and recommendations from Mr. McCann and it's all done in 52 short essays. Each essay is headlined with a meaningful quote from a famous writer.

You don't have to be writing a novel to find this book helpful. We all write at some point even if it's a letter, memo, posts on social media, or perhaps a book review. Mr. McCann lists rules for writing and then encourages you to break them! So much useful information in such a small amount of space is hard to believe but it's all for real. This is a book to hang onto because each essay is like having a consultation with a splendid teacher!

I would recommend this to absolutely every person who ever picks up a pen, touches a keyboard or composes a sentence in their mind. It is years of writing expertise by one of the greatest writing teachers alive today, condensed into letters so intimate they feel like one part of your soul speaking to another.

I started highlighting quotes for my review and ended up highlighting entire letters. It’s beautiful, it’s a dose of harsh reality, it’s inspiring, it’s funny, it’s educational. There’s advice in here from finding the idea for the story right up to finding editors, begging for blurbs and stalking your critics.

This is the best book on writing I’ve ever read. Five stars woefully underestimate it. Every sentence has such depth and brings so much meaning that you could spend weeks discussing them in writers groups. Each word is a seed that could grow into a forest. This book makes me want to shake off my old, dead leaves and start writing my own fiction again (instead of just critiquing the wonderful works that are sent my way).

I have pages and pages of quotes on my kindle, and it’s hard to just choose just one. But don’t worry; people are going to be quoting McCann’s wisdom in Letters for decades.

"A good book will turn your world sideways. It will also turn your own writing inside out. The prose writers should read the poets. The poets should read the novelists. The playwrights should read the philosophers. The journalists should read the short story writers. The philosophers should read through the entire crew. In fact, we all should read the entire crew. Nobody makes it alone."

Through the wonderful fiction of Colum McCann I have wandered through ravaged post World War Two Eastern Europe with Roma, been a tunnel digger in New York City, made a transatlantic flight in 1917 from the USA to Ireland, met Rudolf Nureyev and Frederick Douglas, walked across a very high wire while the great world spinned on.

Letters to a Young Writer is based on the experience and wisdom McCann acquired in teaching for twenty years in the MFA program at Hunter College in New York City. The program takes two years and accepts only twelve applicants out of hundreds. Students have

gone on to win a Booker Prize and other top literary awards. He tells us he begins his class by informing his students creative writing cannot really be taught and then he tells them to open their minds and prepare to learn.

There are fifty three chapters, each one readable in just a minute or two. McCann ranges over topics such as what to read (read difficult books, Ulysses is his candidate for greatest novel ever written), where to write, what music you might play while writing, finding and dealing with an agent, how to employ your personal life in your work, assuming your readers are at least as smart as you think you are, down to dealing with success and learning from failure.

I am not an aspiring writer of fiction but I believe very strongly that deep reading is one of the most creative arts and the greatest tribute one can pay to a writer. Much of McCann's advise about writing could apply to reading. You just have to use your imagination and free yourself from the bonds of pedagogy.

I highly recommend this book to all aspiring writers.

Mel ulm
The Reading Life