I think I’ve told you this before, but one of the (many) perks of contributing to 5 Minutes for Books is discovering books and genres that I might not have read otherwise. Case in point: memoir. I admit that prior to this gig I’d read little or no memoir whatsoever. Now it’s fast becoming one of my favorite categories of books.
Writing Places: The Life Journey of a Writer and Teacher by William Zinsser only enhanced my love for the genre. Like many of you, I’ve read—and been challenged by–Zinsser’s On Writing Well so I was excited for the opportunity to read his reflections of his writing life. Zinsser heeds his own advice on writing well and the clarity and beauty of his words (and the occasional bit of humor) are enough to recommend this book. But that’s not all. Zinsser’s writing places, the various jobs and titles he’s held in the course of his long career, make for an interesting and fascinating glimpse into the writing world—what it was and what it now is.
For example, I found his depiction of his first job, writer for New York Herald Tribune in 1946, absolutely fascinating. The hectic pace, the clamoring phones, the pounding typewriters—all crammed together in one gloriously chaotic space. A marked contrast to today’s world of computer monitors, internet and email.
Memoir often inspires me and Zinsser’s Writing Places certainly falls into that category. After reading it, I wanted to carve out my own writing place and see if I couldn’t create something timeless, something beautiful out of my own journey. I haven’t, but still I was inspired.
What about you? As the kids head back to school, as we experience the sense of anticipation that often accompanies fall, would you like a little inspiration to discover your own writing places? Or maybe memoir intrigues you as well?
As part of our Back to School Giveaway, we have a copy of Writing Places for one of our readers who comments on this post (U.S. addresses only).
Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….
This is part of the 2009 Back-to-School Giveaway. We’d love it if you helped spread the word!
- Leave a comment on this post as your entry.
- This contest is open to U.S. residents only. One entry per person.
- New giveaways will be posted through August 26. Winners will be announced August 31.
- Check out the list of the other giveaways in the 2009 Back-to-School Giveaway at the main post.
I would enjoy reading this. Thank you for the chance.
This sounds like something I would really enjoy reading. I have always wanted to write and just keep putting it off-maybe this would motivate me.
I’d love to win!
Ooh! Ooh! Pick me! Pick me! I LOVE memoirs and I LOVE his book “On Writing Well” and have read a couple of personal essays by him as well. I really want this one! 🙂
Sounds like a fantastic, inspiring book!
i think it is wise [email protected]
Looks interesting. Thanks for the opportunity!
This does sound interesting! Thanks for the chance!
This sounds really interesting book.
Sounds great! Please enter me. My e-mail is the roundfile(at)live(dot)com.
I’d love to win this. I’m a teacher of writing. I subscribe, too.
I would love a chance to win this book. I haven’t had the opportunity to read his other book, but I love reading memoirs.
Thanks for the chance.
[email protected]
I’ve never read a memoir either. I guess I always thought they’d boring. Guess it depends on who it is. Please enter me. I’d love to give it a try. Thank you.
Oh, I would love this book…I am a peot and would love to get this book
I would absolutely love to win and own this book. I wrote poetry for two years and was extremely lucky to have had many of poems published in the literary presses. I’d love to start writing again. This book would I’m certain help.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
If I’m not lucky enough to win this, I may have to get it from the library. It looks great 🙂 Thanks for running this contest, Lisa!
this sounds great! Sign me up!
I am intriged by Mr. Zinsser and the way he does put things into prespective. I also have his “On Writing Well” and use it almost daily. Writing at the moment is only a hobby that I hope to become more.
Great giveaway.
very cool, count me in please
As a writer and a teacher, this book sounds like it was written for me!! Thanks for the chance to win!
This sounds like a good book! I could definitely relate to what he writes about here, as I’m always trying to improve on and expand my writing!
I’d love to read this!
I would love to win
Thank you for the chance
[email protected]
What an interesting book!
Always looking for books!
This book sounds really interesting. I will have to check it out.
Not an entry; just a note that we’ve posted about this at Winning Readings…
http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/08/writing-places.html
This sounds really interesting.
I would love to read this!
I think this would be a great read! 🙂 Thank you!
roseinthemorning [at] gmail [dot] com
This looks interesting! Please enter me!
This looks like a great read!
I would love to win this
To write well and creatively would be a dream, like flying on butterfly wings…
Would love to try!
This book may hold a hint for my wings!
I would absolutely love this book!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Amy B.
[email protected]
This sounds really interesting and fascinating. I will have to see if my library has a copy if I don’t win one! Thanks for all of these contests here at 5 Minutes for Books!
I’d love to read this! [email protected]
looks like an interesting one
Sounds like a great read! My daughter is majoring in creative writing and I’m sure would also love to read this book. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
Thanks for the book giveaway.
This one sounds terrific. Thanks for a great giveaway too.
I’d love to read this. It sounds great. Thanks for the chance.
I would love to read this since I want to take my writing more seriously.
Sounds like a great book!
Please count me in to win this book. Thanks.
Sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the chance to win!
this book sounds very interesting and may help me and my children alike
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