This book is a collection of serial interviews with different authors. Questions asked are more or less the same. The authors give an overview of themselves, describe their creative process, how to market, etc.
While it has some interest to see the difference in approaching their writing or a few technical detail, there is too emphasis on each history rather than on hints and recommendations.

Writing is Essential is an enjoyable and inspiring set of interviews with POC authors. Seven different writers (6 and the author) are asked a set of questions, and each has an opportunity to share information about themselves both as a person, and as a writer. It has a cross section of genre writers, including historical, fiction (thriller), a journalist who writes both children's books and non fiction, a minister writing Christian non fiction, variations of motivational / self help and then the author herself who is also a non fiction writer. I'd have loved to see more varied fiction writers, as the majority were non-fiction, but it was still an interesting read if you like getting to know people in interview form and all the authors are very successful and experienced in their field.

It didn't contain a massive amount that helped me with my writing skills, but there were some snippets of tips, particularly when it comes to marketing and publishing to be gleaned. This isn't a book about the technical process of writing, but more about getting to know these writers and the journey they've been on, to help inspire you to find the confidence to write yourself and start your own journey. I felt it threw a spotlight on some authors that I wouldn't have otherwise heard of, and I loved their personal honesty, positivity and inspirational stories of how they became successful writers. It's certainly given me some perspective and reflect on my own personal story and my hopes for one day, being a successful author.

I hope that this book inspires many other people to just write.

Although, this book was not quite what I was expecting. I found al the information useful and informative. I did find it interesting to see people's different techniques, on how they write and their marketing strategies. Informative and recommended.

One of my early practices, while I wrote books, is reading the process of writing by successful authors. I'd scour the internet for interviews, articles, blog posts of authors I admired or who have demonstrated a skill that propelled them to success. Even reading authors who have a modicum of success is important. It's great to read their trajectory from a new author to a prolific published author. This book provides author interviews and of the authors who edited this book, as well. This is a great resource to re-center your writing process with advice and methodology that has worked for others.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

I thought this was more of a book on how to develop your writing skill set. While it's a very interesting collection of interviews, it wasn't exactly what I had hoped for in a book.

Writing Is Essential is a collection interviews with eight different writers, being asked roughly the same questions each time. Each writer explains who they are, how they get their ideas for their books, how to market, what else they do apart from write plus more.

It's interesting to see how other's approach their writing or what software they use, though I was expecting more hints and tips rather than their life history.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.

Judine Slaughter has pieced together a collection of interviews with writers who all tell us what inspires them to write. For anyone who has an interest or even currently writes in one of the number of vocations in this book I recommend you pick it up.
Inspiring and well recommended.

I went into this expecting something like 'On writing' or similar - tips and tricks from writers on writing.
It wasn't that at all - instead, it's a discussion of diverse voices, beautiful tips and tricks, and new perspectives in writing. I've picked up so many good things and will be revisiting the book at a later date.
*** I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ***

Having something to say and knowing how to say it are sometimes painfully far apart. This book helps those who have something important to write and share with the world find a way to connect their heart and mind and organize them in a cohesive written piece that makes sense, inspires, stays authentic and is far reaching with mass appeal.

This book. I have been writing for almost five years now and I was able to see a whole different perspective on writing in this book. Took some note, and I will probably have to re-read it as I forgot a lot of things already XD

*** I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ***

Like another reader, I initially picked this up with the idea that it would be full of tips on writing, but found it to be a different type of book than what I had expected. This is meant to inspire through interviews of different black authors with their personal stories, spirituality, and advice on writing. It wasn’t something that I found helpful, but know that others may find it inspiring.

I'm glad that this book is giving black writers a chance to tell their story. I'm sure aspiring black writers would appreciate a book like this. However, I expected more out of the book. I wanted more details about the writing process. I thought it would have been more like a guide but that was probably just my misunderstanding. However, I can't say the book wasn't helpful. I've highlight a couple things. I appreciated the advice given. I think it gives writers a basic idea of what to expect as a writer and would also extinguish some of their fears about starting. An overall good book.

** Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review **
Una lectura muy inspiradora, mas aun si son escritores o aspiran a serlo. Las entrevistas son muy interesantes y hay que reconocer el buen trabajo de quien compilo y edito este trabajo. Funciona para ser inspirador y animarnos, cuando el animo flojea, y también para poner un montón de cosas en perspectiva. Lo recomiendo.

The author/editor/compiler of the book has curated the best set of questions in this interview style writing guide.
You will get an insight to personal experiences from various authors across wide variety of platforms. There also e and advice for aspirants of the field but you are looking for an extensive workbook/worksheet, this isn't the place to look.

But you need an inspirational writing book to keep on the shelf for times when moral is running low, this is the one to be kept within arms reach. Every author believes in writing regularly instead of waiting around for inspiration, a common advice along for nudging writers into positive sphere. Also, it resonated throughout every interview that every writer should try out methods that suit them best and flow with personal schedules.

The interview format makes it one of the best, on-the-shelf, handy writing books, to flip through at your leisure.

A great read for any aspiring writer. The interviews are insightful and offers great inspiration for those who may be struggling with believing in themselves and their dreams.

* I received this book from Net Galley*

I chose this book to read for two reasons: one, as a white-passing WoC I think it is really important to read other perspectives from people who do not have my privilege and two, because it would be the epitome of hubris to assume that my BA in English and Creative Writing meant that I had nothing left to learn.

I really enjoyed this book-- as someone who is neither Black nor spiritual there were large parts of it that I could not relate to but I really appreciated that. I think it is so massively important to read about perspectives that are different so that I can be a better-informed ally.

The book is formatted into interviews with different Black authors and I really enjoyed learning about their respective writing processes and journeys. The interviews did not seem stilted or awkward and the main interviewer (Judine Slaughter) did a wonderful job letting the authors choose what they wanted to talk about with interjections and comments that added to the conversation instead of distracting from it.

This was a quick and fascinating read that I highly recommend for both writers and people eager to vividly see life from several nuanced perspectives.

Writing is Essential is a interesting and informative book. One that is important and has great personal stories.

This short book tries to encourage African Americans to write and publish. "If we don’t write our history, others might write all kinds of things concerning us, and it can be skewed," says one of the authors interviewed. Seven authors interviewed, including the editor of the book Judine Slaughter, emphasize the core tenant - just write. All the authors have an overtly Christian motivation, so I wonder whether the United Black Writers Association is a religious initiative. However, the ideas espoused in the text go beyond racial and religious persuasion and could be helpful to any aspiring writer and author.

These are the types of conversations that keep me writing even when it seems like sometimes the words escape me. The interviews are personal and draw on early life experiences, the frustrations and challenges writers experience along the way- and as a young black African writer, I am pleased that there's a platform for writers like me even though it's a continent away.
I do wish it featured many more writers too and also included more snippets of books or black writers that may have influenced their writing at some point.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC. I believe any reader would enjoy reading this book because of the conversational tone and how short it is.

First, I loved the interview setup of this book. It was conversational and very inviting.

Second, I appreciated the content of the book. I believe it’s important to hear people’s stories — this book is a study in the events that shape writers.