Steve Almond's 'Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow' appears at first glance to be just another book on the craft of writing. I was pleased to discover that Almond has managed to bring a unique view to the table. This is not a text book so much as an empathetic guide.

Almond's background in literary and non-fiction allows him to bridge the gap between teaching and entertaining, with a book that feels a comfortable conversation with a writerly friend. The chapters are set up clearly and have numerous examples from best sellers and classics to help understand the points being made. But they are also spiked with personal anecdotes to do with reading, writing and teaching. It avoids being prescriptive and encourages the reader to explore.

This reflective and personal approach makes the book easy to read without feeling lectured at.

The examples of obsession particularly resonated with me; I have written the following quote from the book on a post-it on my desk..

> Tracking your obsession should lead you into mystery and reveal things about you that you don't want revealed. Your job is to peer into the dark regions of your heart, not navel gaze.

There's no magic formula here; no easy answers. Almond pushes the writer towards deeper and more honest story the telling. 'Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow' manages both to motivate and reassure.

I am unfortunately not quite sure what I just read. Almond admits pretty early on that he's bad at plot -- as am I -- but dang, this book wanders around a whole bunch of topics without getting to the point. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

Absolutely brilliant. An engaging look at the art and craft from one of the most epic and engaging teachers and writers at work today.
Almond’s fiction is amongst my favourites, and his not fiction work is equally great. This is a great under the hood look at the process of this brilliant writer.

Steve Almond approaches the "how to" of writing in the same way he speaks: with humor and being true to himself. No doubt his books (and his voice) will connect to writers who need what he says or how he says it. I'll add this one to my bookshelves so that my students have access to it. However, recent craft books including Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salesses and The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop by Felicia Rose Chavez are far more groundbreaking for writers and educators.

I would definitely recommend this to writers and budding writers. There are chapters with a wide range of advice, and even experienced writers should enjoy the chance to evaluate how they look at the way they write. There are also great exercises to try based on each topic. I've read several books about writing but this one covered some topics I haven't seen before. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Full of good advice and weird essays, a very different "how to write" book. A good book to read in addition to other "how to write" books.

A beautiful tribute to the art of writing, filled with many insightful gems of wisdom regarding the craft. The academic, but conversational, tone held my interest throughout.

I will note that even thought this book is marketed as a DIY book on writing craft, it doesn't really read that way. It reads more like a memoir, with the focus being Almond's experiences with writing. It is honest and raw—a very real look into what it means to write.

There is much to glean from the wisdom recorded on the pages.

A perfectly fine book, but it just didn't work for me and I can't put my finger on why. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity.

Engaging and thoughtful - a recommended purchase for collections where writing craft titles are popular.

There's something encouraging about hearing from someone who has been there, done that and cringed while at it that makes this book the perfect gift for writers. I requested to read this book off Netgalley, because I was not writing and the fact that I had a manuscript stored away for over a year, and wanted to jump back into it with NanoWrimo-made this book appealing.
I'm glad the publisher granted my request because what the author succeeded in my case was to remind me of what it feels to write and to read books. He drew from his experience as a writer ad quoted some books that resonated with him and through this his insights on plot, character, storytelling and even the elusive writer's block was interesting. At the end of each key content, he has the 'free write' sessions which got me writing and I'll cringe at the sex scene I wrote-because that got me back into writing again, just exploring where the manuscript that I had shelved would take me.
I'd recommend this to every Writer, yes, especially now with digital enhancement there's AI, series and movies at every turn competing for the readers attention- this book explores storytelling for what it is for the fact that we build psychological and emotional connections through it.
PS: I am only bummed that due to advance reader privileges I can swoon over this book but not blurb about it to everyone else or quote or throw in those phrases that had me shouting 'tell 'em!'