It's just...the same advice you always hear. Why do I keep reading these books expecting something more?

In this book, Thomas C. Foster guides the reader through the basics of writing, some of which you were never taught in the first place. Practical advice with anecdotes, the books takes you through the entire process of writing, regardless of the type of writing and the intended audience.

I love a good book about books or book about writing, so this was a fun read for me. I feel like there’s always something else to learn or insight to gain in readi g other peoples’ processes and advice. I got a few good tips from this one, whether I ever write anything creatively again or not.

Accessible and informative. A recommended purchase for collections where writing craft titles are popular.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me free access to the digital advanced copy of this book.

Very informative to the writer’s perspective on writing. It lays out how he thinks about the craft and it helps unravel some of the process though his own opinions.

This was nice and an inspiration boost but super self-indulgent and certainly written with a sense of humor for a generation older than I am. No shade!!!

I'm very sorry to have to give this book a negative review. The author tried to give us a witty and entertaining approach to fairly typical writing advice. I enjoyed his writing style throughout most of the book.

Where it broke down for me was with the political examples used in chapters 18 and 19. There is absolutely no reason why a book on writing should include politically divisive examples.

When I read a book about any topic outside of politics, I should be able to get through it without ever knowing anything about the author's political bias.

A few good tips, a lot of exposition, and nothing new.

While Foster extrapolates on all of his concepts for building and writing a piece others will want to read, the concepts largely repeat under different contexts. By and large the advice given is: don't get in your own way, read to keep your mind sharp, and write, write, write.

Don't know if you understand a concept clearly enough to write about it? Write about it.
Need to find holes in your plot? Write it out.
Don't feel like it's polished enough? Keep reworking.

Ironically, each chapter is headed by quotes on writing from other famous authors, so it makes it harder to see what 'How to Write Like a Writer' brings anything new to the table. That and his gentle approach doesn't light a fire under me and inspire creativity in the way that other authors have.

I would, however, be curious to see how his other work- 'How to Read Literature Like a Professor' structures and implements its advice. Given Thomas' voice, I feel as though that might be a more instructional read.

[Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]

This is a great resource for people intrested in writing but who are not really sure how. A must for any aspiring author.

Another great book for writers. Those who are learning, those that think they can't write and adive and tidbits in all areas for all people. It talks about writing dialect. Vocabulary, writing for the reader and anxious writers. This is power knowledge. It belongs in every writers bookshelf. It's more of a powerhouse of skill and information than another book on writing. Its written very well and gives you so much information on skill and process.

How to Write Like a Writer
A Sharp and Subversive Guide to Ignoring Inhibitions, Inviting Inspiration, and Finding Your True Voice
by Thomas C. Foster
Pub Date 06 Sep 2022
Harper Perennial and Paperbacks, Harper Perennial
Nonfiction (Adult) | Reference



I am reviewing a copy of How to Write Like a Writer through Harper Perenial and Netgalley:


Written by the New York Times bestselling author of the beloved classic How to Read Literature Like a Professor teaches you how to write everything from a report for your community association to a meaningful memoir in this masterful and engaging guide.


In How to Write Like A Writer, Thomas C Foster combines anecdotes and hard-won lessons from decades of teaching and writing and invoking everyone from Hemingway to your third-grade teacher—retired professor Thomas C. Foster guides you through the basics of writing.


How to Write Like A Writer you’ll learn how to organize your thoughts, construct first drafts, and (not incidentally) keep you in your chair so that inspiration can come to visit.


Foster shows you how to get into (and over) your best self, how to find your voice, and how to know when, if ever, a piece of work is done with warmth and width.


This book is packed with delightful anecdotes highlighted with lists and bullet points, this invaluable guide reveals how writers work their magic, and reminds us that we all for better or worse, whether we mean to or not are known by what we put on paper or screen, both our thoughts and our words.


I give How to Write Like A Writer five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

NetGalley, I thank you again for a fun read, and a handy resource I'll be adding to my library. Here's my honest review in exchange:

I love Foster's "how to" books. I've started teaching learning confidence to adult students and find Foster's books to be great resources for this; they are especially good choices for that target market. They are easy to read and informative, but not patronizing. I won't lie, I made heavy use of "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" after going to college as an adult, myself, and it helped orient me before I landed at a small liberal arts college, since you know how those can be about "literature."

My only beef with this book, at all, is the extraordinarily lengthy and repetitious introduction. I kept wondering if he was trying to meet a page count or something.

This would be a good book for a writing course. I am probably not the intended audience as I was looking for specific tips for writing, and not so much background information. How to Write Like a Writer, takes a more philosophical approach to writing, deconstructing published works and author processes to provide examples to the writer. It also reads like a motivational speech for writers who are hesitant or have self-doubt. I did find some helpful tips and exercises sprinkled throughout which I bookmarked until I realized they were all summarized in the Appendix.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perrenial for an advance readers' copy.

How to Write Like a Writer does just that… Much like Foster’s other books I expect that this one will soon be on English Literature teacher’s reading lists everywhere. From finding your voice as a writer to understanding that you are the first member of your audience, Foster covers it all. If you are wanting to write a movie review, a research paper, or a novel, you will take something away from this one.

I thought that this book was great. This book was comical while being informational at the same time. I really enjoyed how encouraging this book was. Usually books like these can be a tad dry and ultimately discouraging, however this was not the case with this book. I found myself encouraged to write anything and everything that was in my head. I really liked that the author reminded readers that their writing will never be like famous people's books because there is only one you which means that no one will write like you. This is the first time I have read anything by this author, however I would like to read all of the titles by this author mentioned in this book. I really enjoyed reading this and am more inspired than ever to write.

HOW TO WRITE LIKE A WRITER by Thomas C. Foster (How to Read Literature Like a Professor and Reading the Silver Screen) has been published just in time to be helpful to students in the new school year. As the subtitle explains, this text is intended to be "a sharp and subversive guide to ignoring inhibitions, inviting inspiration, and finding your true voice." Foster is a professor emeritus of English at the University of Michigan, Flint and he builds on his teaching and his own writing experience to not only look at what to write and how to do so, but also to emphasize the importance of practice and revision. He begins with a section titled "Why Write?" and there comments on the importance of voice, relating to an audience, and writing as an exploration of self or subject or even as play. Foster suggests numerous exercises (e.g., write a letter to some past author offering praise or criticism; describe a complex painting in massive detail) to aid with practice and developing skills. He includes two chapters ("Oh, Yeah? Prove it!" and "Even the Nile has a Source") which cover the use of testimony, quotes and evidence as well as credibility and source evaluation. HOW TO WRITE LIKE A WRITER meets students where they are, tells them explicitly: "You are the most important being in your writing world," and is sure to be a useful guide for our fledgling writers and researchers.

I really enjoy books on writing and over the years I’ve read quite a few of them. Even if a book covers information I’ve heard before I still consider it worth reading. I could be wrong but I believe it was Zig Ziglar who once said “repetition is the mother of learning.” And I agree because sometimes it’s hearing the same information told in a different way that will make the information click for you. And I have to say I absolutely loved the way Thomas Foster imparted knowledge in How To Write Like a Writer. His writing style is easygoing, almost conversational. The chapters are short, only a few pages and follow a set pattern: he imparts a piece of writing advice using a particular writer as the focus (a journalist/novelist/etc), gives a coaching tip, and then ends each chapter with a notable quote. I really enjoyed this book and think it’s worthwhile for anyone from a novice writer, to a professional writer, to anyone just interested in the subject of writing itself. Thanks so much to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of How To Write Like a Writer.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RVECYPXZAMIIR/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

How to Write Like a Writer, A Sharp and Subversive Guide to Ignoring Inhibitions, Inviting Inspiration, and Finding Your True Voice by Thomas C. Foster was only the second book I’ve seriously looked at for a greater knowledge of how I might write a better review.
I wasn’t paying attention in school and suffered from the boring old formats.
The author compelled me to see that I will learn from exercising my abilities and better understand my writing with practice. Also that failure can teach me a lot. I need to to a lot more thinking and practicing. I love the “reading journal” and “practice rewriting news paper articles” for practice.
I could go on and on but I just say that I found it helpful.
I’m no writer nor will be, but I’ve definitely been inspired to try. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for some solid insight.
Thanks Harper Perennial via NetGalley.
My favorite quote:
“All writing is an act of imagination. Use yours. Discover or invent the best way to say what it is you have to say in your writing. Don’t write the way you think a book would have you do it. Write the way you think and feel will best do the job.”

How to Write Like a Writer does just that… Much like Foster’s other books I expect that this one will soon be on English Literature teacher’s reading lists everywhere. From finding your voice as a writer to understanding that you are the first member of your audience, Foster covers it all. If you are wanting to write a movie review, a research paper, or a novel, you will take something away from this one.

A solid entry in Foster's 'How to __ like a __ ' series. This book isn't anything revolutionary by itself, but it holds solid tidbits of advice that act as refreshers to those in the craft for a while or guidestones to those getting started.