I wanted to like this book but I just couldn’t get into it.

Charles Johnson's The Way of the Writer is an excellent memoir on craft, not only for his insights into the writing process, but for the riches of accumulated wisdom he relays concerning the writing life. Johnson understand that writing is not only an occupation or a job, but a kind of vocation. He writes, "In order to prepare oneself for a life devoted to creating--and it is important to envision oneself engaged in this activity day and night 24/7 until one's last day on Earth--a prerequisite is the joy we experience when discovering and creating something new." While some may pick up this book looking for tips and direction on the craft itself (which this book does contain), Johnson provides the added benefit of a glimpse into the creative life from which genius is born.

Before reading this book, I knew little about Johnson, both the man and his work. By the end, I was a fan, reading his works of fiction. I am a writer myself, and was inspired by Johnson's philosophical acuity, creativity, and endless curiosity. Writing is work. Johnson's respect for words, and his desire to contribute to literary culture, is enriching for other writers longing to write well. Johnson is also charitable: he extols the virtue of helping other writers through encouragement and by publishing their work. Good writers help other writers be their best. He also understands that "writing is thinking." Good writing reflects sound logic, inclusive of narrative and storytelling. While the artist is committed to crafting a good story, they should also be "engaged in the act of bringing truth into being."

I enjoyed this memoir on writing, and on life. Johnson is a master. Learn from him.

This looks like an awesome book! I am definitely interested in purchasing it.

As a writer I really enjoyed this book of reflections on 'the art and craft of storytelling' by Charles R. Johnson (which I had never heard of before, but will definitely be looking up now!). It was a fascinating book full of deep thoughts and reflections on writing, the writer, storytelling, craft, art, philosophy, etc. It wasn't a moralistic book telling you what to do and what you should be to become a writer, but reading this book makes you question yourself and your craft. It is a great way to self-reflect. I couldn't follow through all the chapters on philosophy, but it was very educative and encouraged me to keep expanding my mind and knowledge to become a better writer.

Thanks to Net Galley and Scribner for offering me an ARC copy of this book that I voluntarily review.
This non-fiction book is not a ‘how to’ book and won’t give the reader a formula for producing, and even less, selling, books by the bucket load. The subtitle, Reflections on the Art and Craft of Storytelling describes much more precisely what the book is. And if there’s one thing we can’t accuse Charles Johnson of, is of lacking precision.
The book is structured in six parts (1. Who Is the Writer?, 2. The Process of Writing, 3. What Helps the Writer, 4. The Writer as Teacher, 5. The Writing Life and Duties of the Writer, 6. Philosophy and the Writer), each one collecting some of his essays on topics related to the craft of writing, that are very numerous. The parts, and each essay, can be read separately, although if read as a book there are reflections and quotes that will become familiar, and anecdotes and thoughts that appear more than once (not a big problem if readers dip in and out, or read it over an extended period and go back to revisit the parts they find more relevant or inspiring). Due to the nature of the materials, some of the content overlaps, particularly as this is a deeply personal book, based on Charles Johnson’s experiences, and he talks about his personal writing schedule, his interest in martial arts, how he started his career as a journalist, his love of drawing and design, his Buddhist beliefs, his interest in Philosophy…
The author taught an undergraduate and a postgraduate writing course for many years, although he has been retired for a while, and he describes his ‘boot camp for writers’ that he strongly based on John Gardner’s (that he describes as his writing mentor) programme. Johnson talks about the readings he recommends, the hard schedule of writing he requires, how he focuses on technique, how he advises writers to read a dictionary cover to cover… So, there are exercises one could do independently and advice one can follow, but mostly the book is a reflection on his career, as a writer, philosopher, teacher and reviewer. From a personal point of view, I especially enjoyed his essay on reviews because it spoke to me and to my thoughts on what a review should be like, and the importance of telling people what they might find and like in the book, above and beyond your personal taste and opinion in the matter.
In some of his essays, he uses his own books as examples of some of the points he makes (character building, voice, point of view, among others), understandably, as he can discuss his intentions and how they relate to the technique he used, rather than assume what other authors were trying to do. This creates two issues. I’ve read some comments that would indicate he might come across as self-aggrandizing, arrogant and full of himself, although reading the rest of the articles makes quite clear that that is far from the truth. The other issue is that the comparisons and examples might not be as clear for readers who are not familiar with his work (although he does mention other writers often). I must admit that living in the UK, although I studied American Literature years back, I am not familiar with his work, and checking Amazon.co.uk, this is the only one of his books I could easily find. Even in Amazon.com most of his books are only available in paperback or hardback. But many of his comments about drafts, editing, working as a journalist, and his compelling defence of storytelling and the importance of finding a story that captures the reader’s (and of course, first the writer’s) imagination can be enjoyed and savoured without direct knowledge of Johnson’s fiction.
The author is an exacting and hardworking writer and thinker and he expresses strong opinions about what literature should be like. His is the world of literary fiction, and literature and stories used to explore and explain philosophical insights, of traditional publishing and paper books. He does mention pork literature or industrial literature and acknowledges that some writers make a living by writing genre fiction (although he does not mention it by name or discusses it in any details) but that is not what he’s interested in. I could not help but think about the self-publishing movement and the writers who embrace it, who will also find much to enjoy in the book but, like many other writers will feel very differently about some of the topics. Charles Johnson mentions a couple of times that he did not himself study a degree in creative writing (his method is more like an apprenticeship, and it reminded me of Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography and his account of his self-education and dedication to learning, although with a very different goal in mind) and says that those degrees do not exist in Europe (they do, so I’m not sure all the essays are up-to-date). He acknowledges changes in standards and interests in the student body, and how he’s had to adapt his reading list to such changes so they remain relevant.
The author uses wonderful quotes from great writers and philosophers to illustrate his thoughts and make some points. I had to stop highlighting the text as there was hardly anything left without colour on the page, and this is one of those books eminently quotable and that will keep readers going back for second helpings.
This collection of writings by Charles Johnson is likely to make anybody interested in books and writing think and reflect. Some of the advice might be easier to apply than other, depending on the style of writing and the intentions of those reading it, but many of his reflections and thoughts will resonate and inspire most of us, and who would dispute the importance of storytelling?

What a wonderful book to use to aid in writing! I'm excited to share with my students.