Steering the Craft
Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew
by Ursula K. Le Guin · first published 1998
60% recommend40% neutral
Presents advice on the basic elements of narrative prose, covering point of view, sentence length and complex syntax, indirect narration, grammar, punctuation, and the sound of writing.
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…is now extolling the virtues of directness, he could have done a lot better than a few folksy metaphors with a book titled 'On Writing'. Contrast it with a real book on writing like Ursula K LeGuin's Steering the Craft (http://www.amazon.com/Steering-Craft-Exercises-Discussions-N...) Honestly I think the guy writes whatever he pleases because he knows he's got a permanent fan base. But thanks for your note; I will…
on “Stephen King tells everything you need to know about writing in 10 minutes” ↗Rather than taking writing advice from a programmer/venture capitalist, I recommend Steering the Craft, by Ursula Le Guin, which will help ground any writing you might do in solid understanding of the "tools" you have available as a writer-- pace, grammar, the sound of words, and so forth
on “Write like you talk” ↗…and less production writing is actually a better use of your time. Some of my favourite books to start on serious study: "A Sense of Style" - Steven Pinker "The Making of A Story" Alice LaPlante "Steering the Craft" - Ursula Le Guin "On Writing Well" - William Zinsser "Dreyer's English" - Benjamin Dreyer The problem is that everyone thinks their writing is great. You need to be willing to think it could be better.…
on “To write better, develop a habit of writing” ↗"Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew" by Ursula K Le Guin The advice therein extends beyond stories. http://www.amazon.com/Steering-Craft-Exercises-Discussions-N...
on “Ask HN: Good books for English writing?” ↗…work - both from reading writing that was good and helping correct and provide feedback on writing that was bad. OTOH I really like the Pinker "A Sense of Style", "Dreyer's English", "On Writing Well", "Steering the Craft", and "The Making of a Story". (There are lots of others I like too, but these are top of mind.)
on “Ask HN: How to Get Better at Writing?” ↗Her book on writing, "Steering the Craft" is absolute gold.
on “What powers artists who reach old age? The work” ↗Possibly “Family Lexicon” by Natalia Ginzburg or “Steering the Craft” by Ursula K. Le Guin. Thanks for sharing!
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2023 and recommend for 2024” ↗Her book Steering the Craft, is very much her writing workshop distilled into book form.
on “Curating a Show on My Ineffable Mother, Ursula K. Le Guin” ↗