"What differentiates a well-written and interesting book from one that is mediocre?"

What differentiates a well-written and interesting book from one that is mediocre?

Philip Gerard, author of WRITING A BOOK THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, teaches in the MFA program of the Professional and Creative Writing Program at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. His vast writing experience has included fiction and non- fiction books, magazine articles, and television writing.

Gerard's wisdom is quite apparent when you read and study his book WRITING A BOOK THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. He does an excellent job in emphasizing the fundamentals of what constitutes good writing that ultimately leads to a book that makes a difference.

As is the case in any discipline, the author realizes that to effectively share ideas and suggestions it is necessary to have a common meeting ground concerning vocabulary. Consequently, from the very onset, Gerard introduces the reader to an analysis of indispensable terms. These terms that form the backbone of the book are: originality, aesthetic distance, didacticism, essay, narrative, narrative stance, non-fiction, novel, persuasion of continuity, psychic distance, public subject, rectitude, resonance, story, subject matter, subtext, suspense, theme, thesis, tone, and universal.

After providing us with an explanation of the jargon that will be constantly referred to in the book, the author proceeds to deal with the larger picture. This he divides into two parts, the first explaining subject and theme and the second showing the reader how to build a book. We learn about such elements as choosing a worthy subject, research, theme discovery and theme development, connecting to the reader, creative non-fiction, ethics and art, subject and point of view, and discovering themes as you write.

All of these are viewed within the wider context, if the book stands up to rereading. If we are not left with ideas and impressions that are thought provoking it will not pass the test. As Gerard also points out "the book must also tease us into comprehension on a higher level. There must be something to possess."

Reading and studying this book is certainly an enjoyable learning experience and one that will be appreciated by novice as well as established writers. The mixture of concrete excerpts extracted from well-known books together with several writing exercises certainly enhances its attractiveness as a useful resource for students of creative writing.

Reviewed by Norman Goldman
Courtesy Bookpleasures
Posted December 18, 2002

Summary

How do books considered "classics" get to be known that way? In this book, Philip Gerard analyzes books that made a difference--fiction and non-fiction, classic and contemporary--distilling out the elusive ingredients that make a work memorable, one that changes our minds and our lives.

Beginning with the importance of choosing powerful subjects and themes, Gerard encourages writers to explore what is closest to their hearts. He then presents dozens of practical storytelling strategies that engage readers and move them-to tears and laughter, or to action. As in his much-praised Creative Nonfiction, Gerard's instruction is always accessible and a pleasure to read. Anyone who dreams of writing a book that makes a difference will come away with a clear understanding of what it takes to succeed.