Product Description: Whether you are working on the novel that's been in the back of your mind for years or simply facing an increasing demand to write well at work or school, the fact remains: more and more of us are writing more often these days-reports, e-mails, faxes, and newsletters. But despite the increase in written communication, something has been lost-the fundamentals of good writing. Grammar maven Patricia T. O'Conner comes to the rescue with the most painless, practical, and funny writing book ever written. In short, snappy chapters filled with crystal-clear examples, amusing comparisons, and humorous allegories that cover everything from "Pronoun Pileups" and "Verbs That Zing" to "What to Do When You're Stuck," O'Conner provides simple, straightforward tips to help you sort your thoughts and make sentences that make sense. Push aside those stuffy old-fashioned rule books, because O'Conner has written the most accessible and enjoyable book yet for today's writer.
Amazon.com Review: Patricia T. O'Conner's Words Fail Me is written in the same lighthearted tone as her snappy grammar guide, Woe Is I. This time out, O'Conner tackles the writer's art. "Good writing," she says, "is writing that works." This book is the perfect text for the novice writer who tends to gravitate toward comedic instructors. "Crummy spelling," says O'Conner, "is more noticeable than crummy anything else." Organizing your material "may be a pain in the butt, but it's thankless, too!" "Write as though you were addressing someone whose opinion you value, even if the reader is ... a stingy insurance company that won't pay for your tummy tuck." O'Conner's material isn't new--like many such books, Words Fail Me advocates the use of small words, fresh verbs, and only well-chosen modifiers--but rarely is a primer so amusing. And the clever titles strewn throughout--"Taking Leave of Your Tenses," "The It Parade"--provide added pleasure, particularly for anyone who knows how hard it can be to put a headline on a piece of writing. --Jane Steinberg
Writers: Keep This Book Open and Close Looking for a book on writing but don't have time to read it because you're writing too much? Look no further than Words Fail Me: What Everyone Who Writes Should Know About Writing by Patricia T. O'Conner. Patricia O'Conner's little book on writing never fails to reenergize my devotion to the craft. I have read this book at least once a year since receiving it as a gift in 2001.
Many books take you through the technical aspects of writing and help you avoid common grammatical and spelling mistakes. What makes Words Fail Me stand out is O'Conner's winsome personality and humor.
I've found that most of the times I've had "writer's block" I've been afraid of my "reader," or I've just been overwhelmed with seriousness as I approached the task. O'Conner explodes all that. She offers biting criticism of bad writing and rapturous praise for good writing - but it's all in good fun.
If you are constantly writing and feel like you need to fall in love again with the craft, take my advice. Buy Words Fail Me, read it, and then put it away. But make sure you keep it close by.
essay,writing,grammar Very good reference for those who are having difficulty in writing. Excellent tips on how to develop essays, especially for those taking the alternative route to teaching certification exams.
Finally, a real book on writing. Over the years I have purchased many books on writing, only to find that most of the writing is about how to find a publisher, with very little devoted to how to write. This book is an exception. It covers many of the nuances of writing that slip through the cracks, and is written with humor.
One of the best! Indispensable tool for anyone that writes anything, be it novels, e-mails, memos, or book reports. Get it with "Woe is I" (all about proper grammar) and hit them with a highlighter & notepad handy. Together they may not cover everything writers need to know, but EVERYTHING they cover MUST be known by all writers. Basic rules are forgotten all the time & these 2 jewels read fast, providing easy to remember examples of proper English. Invaluable!
A Nice Book This is quite a nice book, most suitable for those who have not thought a lot or read widely about good writing but who are looking for a broad beginning. The book is light on grammar, and the science of clear writing is not to be found. It improves in later chapters, where examples of good writing are well chosen.
The book labors some points and underscores witticisms, which will irritate readers who read attentively. The prose in many places is unpolished. To that extent, it lives up to its title.
Much better is "Woe is I", Patricia O'Conner's first book.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
