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On Writing Well: Audio Collection

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On Writing Well: Audio Collection

By: William Zinsser
Narrated by: William Zinsser
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About this listen

This expanded audio collection presents William Zinsser's On Writing Well, the classic teaching book that has sold more than 1 million copies, together with a new 90-minute section that tells you how to write a memoir.

Based on a course that Zinsser taught at Yale, On Writing Well has long been praised by writers, teachers, and students for its sound advice, its clarity, and the warmth of its style. It's for everybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to get through the day. Whether you want to write about people and places, science and technology, business, sports, or the arts, this is the definitive guide to the craft of nonfiction.

Part II of this collection, on memoir, personal history, and family history, tells you in helpful detail how to write the story of your life: who you are, who you once were, and what heritage you come from. Throughout, Zinsser refers to the work of many successful memoir writers, including Frank McCourt, Annie Dillard, Russell Baker, and Eudora Welty, to demonstrate how they solved the problems of selection, compression, focus, and tone that every memoir writer struggles with.

©1990, 1999, 2003 William Zinsser (P)2003 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Business Inspiring College Writing

Critic Reviews

"Zinsser's classic belongs on every writer's shelf. It's full of practical, no-frills advice on the basics of writing nonfiction: clarity, simplicity, brevity and humanity....The author's easy-going delivery and warm voice are confidence-building, as well. The discussion is crystal clear and easy to follow as transitional statements carefully lead the listener from one section to the next. Most of all, the audio exudes Zinsser's generosity of spirit, which is sure to inspire any would-be writer." (AudioFile)
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I very much appreciated this abridged version of Zinser’s ‘on writing well.’ It is also nice hearing it read by the author, with the cadence and emphasis they intended.

Simple, straight forward advice, delivered in the authors voice

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I enjoyed this short audiobook and the relevance it holds to writing, whether be it a memoir or novel.

Simple, insightful

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Amazingly insightful, with priceless practical takeaways. Certainly whets the appetite for the full version. It's such a shame the full version is not on audible. The best I've found on writing. I especially liked that this master narrated it himself. Simply listening to the grace and effortlessness with which he speaks, one can learn so much. This book is so full of gold I had to stop every couple of minutes to write notes. You will not regret this one!

Amazingly insightful, with priceless practical takeaways.

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I liked the advice on how to begin and also the analysis of famous memoirs and what the authors had to say about the process. An enjoyable listen!

A Good Beginning for Memoir Writing

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Who is qualified to review this book? A scathing review would have to be damn well-written.

This book made me want to write. Zinsser's advice is easy to remember and use to improve your own writing. His only mistake is he says that this book isn't for fiction writers. All writers stand to get something out of this.

Clear, simple, brief and Human.

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This is the "How to Win Friends and Influence People" of how to write. That is all.

If you want to be remembered in the world, read it

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Learning English as a second language, On Writing Well is the first book I encounter that speaks about the attitude and mentality before any writing. Those principles are precise and succinct which makes them very valuable. That's as much as you would get from some wise old fella. On top of that, I'm grateful about hearing the voice of the author, and found out the voice being as warm as the text I read from the paperback book. One of the timeless books I will read again and again. Thank you Mr Zinsser. RIP.

The Warm Voice You Shall Find

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Yes Please... A must have for anyone who uses their words for any reason involving a reader..

Application material

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this is a good general introduction to writing but the memoir focus wasn't what I was looking for.

Useful in parts, unless it's a memoir

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simple and easy to listen to.
A must read for those who wish to learn memoir writing.

Simplicity

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