This is an easy to read book in an interesting and lively style. It is lighter than most books on the subject, and is quite quirky in places. It covers the writing itself but also up to date information on getting published and marketing your book. It provides good advice on making use of social media. I think it will be useful for all levels and would be especially good to dip into at times when your writing needs a bit of a boost or some extra encouragement, Thank you.

https://petewsutton.com/2018/04/30/writing-without-rules-a-review/

It’s interesting that I’ve never heard of Jeffrey Somers (sorry) or read any of his books – but now I’m tempted to do so after reading this book. Somers was asked to write this book after some successful lectures and articles for Writers Digest

As I have written (here) I have somewhat of a penchant for writing books and therefore it is no great chore for me to have to read one for review. I really enjoyed this one – it’s entertainingly written and is from a very similar place to how I approach writing. My first writing book was, like so many others, Stephen Kings’s On Writing and, well, I thought I’d been doing it wrong (I also did a couple of posts about doing it wrong – here & here and I may do more in the future) because he was a writing guru and what he was describing was ‘how you MUST write’ (it wasn’t but that’s how I read it). I wish I’d read this book first – it would have saved a bunch of heartache…

“There is no ‘right’ way. You have to do things the way you want to, learn your lessons, and take your wins… The fact is, there will be plenty of times when you feel like a fraud or an amateur, convinced that every other writer knows more than you do and is playing the game better. They don’t, and they aren’t. It just seems that way from the outside.”

Somers also introduced me (or re-introduced, although I do wonder if it was his article on Writers Digest I originally read) to Plantsing – Plotting and Pantsing using whatever works from both strategies.

So this is a great first writing book to grab as a starting out writer and reminds you as an experienced writer that there are no rules (I still get hung up on that occasionally) and I’d thoroughly recommend it – not least for the entertaining way it’s written, and the many, many amusing footnotes.

I think this book has a marketing problem. My dislike of the book may stem expecting a craft advice book and ending up with a writer's journey sort of book with advice garnish. Somers comes through clearly and may be amusing, but it was very talking and meandering, which can frustrate readers who are trying to learn more. Now, maybe I should have thought about what "Writing Without Rules" implied when I requested it.

I've read a few writing guides over the years, and generally they've left me underwhelmed (because they were full of things I'd already worked out for myself) or anxious (because all the things set forward as 'rules' are the antithesis to my own style of working). Jeff Somer's Writing Without Rules is therefore a breath of fresh air in an oft-stagnant pool. Rather than outlining firm dos and don'ts, Somers present a variety of options to suit any writing style, with emphasis on everyone finding their own way of working. Along the way, he shares amusing anecdotes on his own writing journey and hilarious footnotes that are well worth reading alongside the main text. If you are a budding author and only plan to read one writing guide, make it this one. It offers some wonderful tips and nuggets of advice without preaching a particular path, and by the time I put it down, I was bursting with enthusiasm and ideas for current and future projects. I think every author should pick up a copy of this book. It will spark your creativity as well as giving you a good laugh.

Jeff Somers is an interesting writer. His newest book discusses not only the writing techniques all writers need to know, but the lessons he learned while writing his first manuscript and novel. His casual, witty style of writing makes the book enjoyable to read. I like that he mentions the importance of using social media to not only promote your books but also to build up a fan base. An honest book on writing from a hilarious writer.

I received an ARC copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher.