Chapter 1: Why Bother?
* Emphasizes the importance of writing for personal fulfillment and connection.
Real example: The author shares her experience of writing a poem that helped her process grief and connect with others who had experienced similar losses.
Chapter 2: First Principles: Six Cardinal Rules of Writing
* Provides essential writing principles: 1) Use strong verbs, 2) Use concrete nouns, 3) Cut out unnecessary words, 4) Write in active voice, 5) Put staggering words together, and 6) Make your reader work.
Real example: The author rewrites a bland passage to showcase the impact of using strong verbs, concrete nouns, and active voice.
Chapter 3: The Elephant in the Room: Can You Really Learn to Write?
* Argues that writing is a skill that can be improved through practice and guidance.
Real example: The author describes her journey as a writer, emphasizing the challenges and breakthroughs she experienced.
Chapter 4: The Hot Ice Cube Theory: Write First, Edit Later
* Advocates for the "write free" approach, where writers focus on getting ideas down without editing or self-criticism.
Real example: The author recalls the transformative experience of attending a writing workshop where she learned to write without inhibition.
Chapter 5: Sh*t, Shit, Shit: The F-Word and Other Despised Words
* Challenges the notion of "bad words" in writing and encourages writers to embrace language that reflects reality.
Real example: The author provides examples of effective use of expletives in literature.
Chapter 6: The Fine Tuners: A Toolkit for Good Writing
* Offers practical writing techniques, including similes, metaphors, and other devices.
Real example: The author analyzes a passage from Stephen King's "The Shining" to illustrate the use of figurative language.
Chapter 7: A Writer's Diet: What to Feed Your Fiction
* Discusses the importance of observation, research, and imagination in creating compelling stories.
Real example: The author shares her experiences using real-life events and people as inspiration for her fiction.
Chapter 8: The View from the Other Side of the Wall: Fiction Writers on Process
* Features interviews with successful fiction writers, offering insights into their writing processes.
Real example: The author quotes writer Annie Proulx on the challenges and rewards of writing fiction.
Chapter 9: Doorways in the Air: Fiction Writers on Fiction
* Explores the elements of successful fiction, such as character, plot, and setting.
Real example: The author analyzes a scene from Tobias Wolff's "Bullet in the Brain" to illustrate the impact of character development.
