The Grammar Devotional
by Mignon Fogarty
Author Website: www.grammar.quickanddirtytips.com

Available in paperback. Holt Books, 2009; ISBN: 0805091653; 235 pages.

Become a better writer one day at a time. Just like a spiritual devotional, this book offers short, daily readings, usually just half a page. The book is organized by generic weeks so you’re not restricted by a calendar. Rather, you can start wherever and whenever you want.

The author’s love of language comes through in her content which spans from practical tips and rules to history, trivia, and games. Usually punctuation is on Mondays, Language Rock Stars on Wednesdays, quizzes and word scrambles on Fridays, word searches and puzzles on Sundays. Simple line illustrations add dry humor to the book.

The included index allows readers to search for specific content making this an valuable reference book as well.

Final Thoughts: I love it! This book offers an excellent (and easy) way to keep your mind sharp without drudging through long, boring exercises and seemingly irrelevant rules. We often forget what we once knew. This little book serves as a welcome reminder.

Making Work at Home Work

by Mary M. Byers
Author Website: www.marybyers.com
Book Blog:www.makingworkathomework.com

Available in paperback. Revell, 2009; ISBN: 0800732758; 218 pages.

Mary Byers, author of The Mother Load: How to Meet Your Own Needs While Caring for Your Family and How to Say No . . . And Live to Tell about It, juggles both a freelance corporate writing and speaking business with her responsibilities as a wife and mother of two school-aged children. She does it successfully and has just released a new book sharing how she does it.

Making Work at Home Work is not a “how to start a home-based business” book. You can find a ton of those already. No, this is a much needed follow-up for those who have already started their businesses and need some direction in how to keep it going. As the title says, it helps those seeking to successfully grow a business and a family under one roof. It’s not about starting, but about maintaining. It’s not just about your business either. That is included, of course, but it’s also about your family: your husband, your children and yourself. It’s about having all of that and your sanity, too.

Here are some of the discussions within the book that I found most helpful.

• Understanding the difference between a SAHM and a WAHM is more than one letter
• Determining why you’re working and how much is enough
• The Parental Pact *A vital chapter!*
• Setting limits, boundaries, goals and regular work hours
• Creative child care options and determining when and if you need them
• How to distinguish and handle both kinds of guilt: good guilt and that comes from the Enemy
• What, when and how can you subcontract in order to raise revenue

The book also contains chapters on taxes, retirement, supper swaps, vacations, faith and sanity. Readers enjoy profiles of real moms running real businesses and how they do it.

I only saw one downside, and it’s minimal. The beginning chapters seemed redundant, not to other sources, but to themselves. Speakers tend to reiterate their point frequently throughout their speeches. Writers don’t need to do that because readers can simply turn back a page or a chapter and re-read what they missed. At conferences or lectures, though, listeners can’t turn back time. They need to hear the point over and over to get it. The beginning couple chapters were like that. The author repeated herself frequently to make sure we got the point. By the fourth chapter (forty pages in) this stopped.

Final Thoughts: It’s a fantastic book, one I wish I’d had years ago with my first work-at-home ventures.

Query Letters that Rock: The Freelance Writer's Guide to Selling More Work Faster

by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell
Author Websites: http://www.lindaformichelli.com/ and http://www.ninetofive.com/

Available in paperback. Marion Street Press, 2006. ISBN: 1933338091; 204 pages.

This is the second book in The Renegade Writer's Freelance Writing series. As suggested by the title, this book takes a different approach than most writing books. Rather than spewing forth rigid instructions and how-to's, this book answers questions and offers samples. The author's are unconventional in their approach and successful. They encourage writers to THINK rather than just follow rules. If rules need to be broken in order to offer your best work, break them without hesitation. The book is divided into two sections.

The first section (80 pages in length) answers common questions about writing query letters. How and when do I send it? Length? Content? Clips? Follow-up? Fees? A number of terms are defined; special cases detailed. They tackle basically everything you want to know about query writing. Their answers are informative, thorough and funny.

The second section (the remainder of the book, about 120 pages) contains sample after sample of query letters that worked along with explanations of why they were successful. The authors of this book give their perspectives, but so do the authors of the sample queries and the editors who bought the stories being pitched. Samples come from nearly every type of magazine or periodical: Parenting, Oxygen, USA Weekend, Midwest Airlines, E Magazine, Fitness, Entrepenuer ... and many, many more. The article types are varied as well, from personal profiles to health articles and travel. It's a mine of valuable information.

Final Thoughts: EXCELLENT! The best book I have found on this topic. A must-have resource for freelance writers.

Writing for the Soul: Instruction and Advice from an Extraordinary Writing Life

by Jerry B. Jenkins

Available in hardback. Writers Digest Books, 2006; ISBN: 1582974179; 241 pages.

I am in the small club of people who have not read a single book in the Left Behind series. I do, however, recognize the success Jerry Jenkins has had as a result of writing those books. I also recognize that his journey as a writer didn't start with that series.

This book is a combination memoir and writing guide. Excerpts from a number of his works are sprinkled throughout the text. The tone is conversational, making this a quick read. It's great for writers and readers.

For fans of Jerry Jenkins, this is a sort of autobiography offering insights into his writing process and his path to success as an author. He starts in his teen years and goes through to the present.

For writers, this is a valuable resource. He details keys to balancing family with a writing career, maintaining authenticity in your spiritual walk and basics of getting published and polishing your craft. As a writer, I must say parts of his story were annoying. The man had a paying writing career before he was old enough to drive. Because I've started this journey much later in life, I am facing many struggles he seems to have skimmed over. He's got the most picturesque office. I know he's worked hard for it, but still ... my sinful nature (a.k.a. "jealousy") kept my eyes rolling as I read portions of his story.

The title is misleading. There was not much in this book on addressing soul issues through writing. It offered little help toward reaching others with the Gospel or even encouraging them in their spiritual walks. As noted above, it is for both readers and writers, more of an autobiographical work than a guidebook for "writing for the soul". If you're looking for something like that, see my review on James Watkin's book: Communicate to Change Lives.

Final Thoughts: Overall this was a great read. I recommend it both for fans of Jerry Jenkins and for those who hope to mimic his success.

Communicate to Change Lives in Person and Print

by James N. Watkins

Available in paperback. Wesleyan Publishing House, 2007; ISBN: 0898273587; 159 pages.

I had the priviledge to meet Jim Watkins at the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference in May. He is a wonderful speaker, filled with humility, wisdom and humor. This book proves no less.

Aimed at writers and speakers, this book would be a wonderful addition to anyone who is serious about teaching. It's a great tool for those in ministry, revealing in an organized fashion how to be effective with words. The text is divided into three main sections: changing lives through intelligence, intensity and integrity. The author weaves Scripture and vivid illustrations throughout. He provides many clear examples of how to apply the principles of this book.

Final Thoughts: An easy read and great resource. Definitely RECOMMENDED.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

by Stephen King

Available in hardcover or paperback. Pocket, 2002; ISBN: 0743455967 ; 320 pages (including postscripts and appendices).

I am not a fan of Stephen King. In fact, he scares me. This is the only book of his that I've read; it made me want to read his others. I have quoted his thoughts and advice on writing more than any other book I've read on the craft.

The book is divided into four sections.

C.V. is the autobiographical section (about 100 pages). Short blurbs of memory combine to explain why Mr. King is the way he is and why he writes what he does. It was disturbing, bazaar and sometimes funny. I actually didn't read the whole section. It was too weird for me. Fans of his books may very much like knowing more about his life. Personally, I'm not that interested.

The Toolbox section (only 30 pages) is a condensed class on writing basics. He briefly, but powerfully touches on the importance of vocabulary, grammar and usage, style, etc. These are items in every writer's toolbox. If rusty or missing, your work will suffer. Good writers need the right tools.

On Writing (120 pages) is the best collection of advice (that I have found) for new writers. Mr. King is at times crude, but always honest. He expects much; his standards are contagious. He offers quantitative and wise advice. Sandwiched between those helps are philosophies that spur introspection. This, along with the Toolbox, are essential readings for every writer.

The last section, On Living (about 20 pages), is an interesting bookend. It is a window into the current mindset of this writer. After reading the rest of the book, this brings the reader full circle, seeing the crazy childhood, the trials and successes in the middle and finally a solid, contented man at the end. I don't know ... it just makes sense. And it makes me want to read more of his books.

Final Thoughts: If you're a fan of Stephen King, read the first and last parts. If you're a writer, skip the first 100 pages and read the rest. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Book Proposals that $ell: 21 Secrets to Speed your Success

by W. Terry Whalin

Available in paperback. Write Now Publications, 2005; ISBN: 1932124640; 184 pages

Of all the books I have referenced on writing nonfiction book proposals, this one is the most clear, concise and complete. Mr. Whalin uses his experience as an editor, author and literary agent to help writers rejection-proof their proposals. Sample proposals, outlines and helpful checklists are included as well as several websites for additional reference. This is a great companion to Michael Larsen's book (see the review by clicking on the "writer helps" link below). While Larsen's book is exhaustive, this book is approachable. The two books overlap to some degree, but Whalin's book is less intimidating and easier to digest. Furthermore, Whalin's book offers a Christian perspective.

Final Thoughts: An excellent reference, valuable to anyone wishing to publish a nonfiction book. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

How to Write Irresistible Query Letters

by Lisa Collier Cool

Available in paperback or library binding. Writer's Digest Books, 2002; ISBN: 1582971552; 148 pages

This step-by-step guide is an easy read, a wonderful resource for writers. Mainly focused on magazine queries, the text explains much more than how to make a quality first impression with editors. It also teaches how to find and clarify ideas; how to slant them into something fresh and "irrisistible", then how to format them into something a publisher will want to read. Other chapters focus on selling yourself as the author, securing a solid hook and polishing your pieces to perfection. Several sample queries are given throughout the book.

The copy I have shows a copyright of 1987. Amazon lists a more recent date of 2002. Whether or not revisions have been made, I cannot say. If not, then the new printing is more outdated than the old. I rolled my eyes a few times and skipped entire sections because of the obviously dated material. One portion devotes far too many words to encouraging writers to use the proper equipment on their typewriters. Perhaps some authors still use typewriters. They may need to be reminded which type and color of tape to use or which "white-outs" are or are not appropriate. For the rest of us, swimming beautifully in the computer age, a revised and updated version of this book would be appreciated.

Final Thoughts: This is a good introduction for new writers. Even if this book were updated, I would still search for a better resource. I'll let you know when I find one.

Straight Talk from the Editor: 18 Keys to a Rejection-Proof Submission

by W. Terry Whalin

At only $0.49 this is more than worth the cost! Filled with practical tips and an insider’s honesty, every writer needs to read this ebook. It is short, only 22 pages, and a quick, easy read.

My Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

How to Write a Book Proposal

by Michael Larsen

Available in hardcover or paperback. Writer's Digest Books, 3rd ed. 2004; ISBN: 1582972516; 288 pages.

This is the definitive resource for writing nonfiction book proposals. Written by author and literary agent Michael Larsen, it offers great detail on every aspect of proposals – from choosing the right titles and format to getting endorsements and designing marketing plans. The author offers samples throughout. Several appendices are included offering additional resources. One even gives four completed (and sold!) book proposals. Not every chapter will apply to every book idea, but every writer will be able to apply something from this book.

My Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.