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Non-Fiction ReviewsZen in the Art of Writing Releasing the Creative Genius Within You |
| Ray Bradbury Bantam Books 1992 $5.50 US |
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If you've read my web page that discusses my background and my favorite authors, then your already know that Ray Bradbury is one of my all time favorites. This man is a visionary. His "The Veldt" (from The Illustrated Man) is one of the first pieces of fiction to deal with Virtual Reality. Perhaps more importantly, Bradbury deals with people in his stories. Many times these stories deal with people and how those people deal with technology. His stories, poems, novels, films, and plays are always such that the reader is forced to think about the implications of progress and just what that word means.
Zen in the Art of Writing is a collection of articles on writing that Bradbury has written over the years. Including articles written for The Writer as early as 1961 and 1965, this book includes Bradbury's thoughts right up to the original publication date of 1990.
As Bradbury states in his book, good books are about ideas and Bradbury includes many in this small one hundred-fifty-eight page paperback. This book is full of practical ideas about where to get your ideas and how to craft and develop your own particular voice and style.
To me, most of all this book is about determination. Developing the ability to face adversity .. to keep trying despite the rejection slips ... to maintain the necessary exuberance, zest, and gusto to keep searching and keep writing ... those are just some of the things this book is about. This book is an inspiration and a guide to writing the best that you can. I can't recommend this book strongly enough. I also recommend that you read his fiction. Study it. Bradbury's works are a roadmap to how to write.