Write Better

Reviewing a book entitled Write Better A Lifelong Editor on Craft, Art, and
Spirituality admittedly feels like a strangely overwhelming and incongruent task. If a
young and unpublished writer has any business dealing with a lifelong editor’s
wisdom it should be in having their book review my writing rather than letting my
writing review their book! And yet I write anyway — and in this seeming paradox lies
the heart of Andrew T. Le Peau’s work: for all its hard, slow, long work, writing is
worth it, so here’s how to do it better.

As a writer, teacher, speaker, theologian, and editor with over three decades of
experience Le Peau brings a rich and nuanced collection of tools to the table. This
slather of experience works itself into the books three sections: (1) the craft of
writing, (2) the art of writing, and (3) the spirituality of writing. The first focuses
primarily on the nuts and bolts of getting words on paper: fitting structure, persuasion,
drama, and creative and concrete practices for breaking the bonds of writer’s block.
All this and rewriting… and rewriting, and oh, some more rewriting.

The second delves into the slightly more messy art of writing, covering rules to know
and (at times) to break, guidelines for metaphor and when less is more. This section
moves the reader towards a sense that writing is more than imbibing rules. It needs a
person behind it, a person grounded in Christ. And thus we arrive at the last section,
where writing is set forth as both spiritual gift and spiritual discipline. Here the
various threads that have permeated Le Peau’s work pull together. All throughout the
reader senses that writing is not a mere neutral task; it necessarily involves spiritual
and moral realities. Whether it’s the ethics of plagiarism, of representing your
material with truthfulness and integrity, or the reality of being an authority and being
under an authority in writing, writing is a moral and a spiritual practice. And thus, it is
not one to be taken lightly. And yet, for all Le Peau’s sobriety one comes away from
Write Better longing to do just that, to write better. The book’s tone remains
consistent: for all the possible pitfalls, writing is worthwhile and necessary. It is good.

The appendixes on creating a platform, working with editors and publishers, self-
publishing, and copyright are worth the whole book for their insight into what, at least
for an outsider, is a terrifying and mysterious world. And yet the choice to place them
as appendixes is particularly helpful, for it appears to say, “You can’t worry about
these things, till you get the most important parts right.” As such this book is a
supremely useful addition to the bookshelf of anyone desiring to get those ‘most
important parts’ right: the craft, art, and spirituality of writing.

I thank InterVarsity Press for providing me with an advance copy

This book, by a longtime editor of a major Christian publisher is a comprehensive guide for the serious writer. It is written from the viewpoint of a Christian, but the majority of this book works for writers no matter their faith. There are sections on the chart of writing, the art of writing and the spirituality of writing. All of these were excellent and useful. Le Peau includes many excellent quotes and excerpts from famous writers to illustrate his points.
I encourage all writers who wish to improve their craft to get this new book and review it on a frequent basis.

What a great read and something I have been looking for for a while! Spirituality and writing, something that really hit me deep. With personal, relatable stories, and lots of good information to consider during the writing process, I highly recommend. Thank you, I look forward to release day!

Write Better
A Lifelong Editor on Craft, Art, and Spirituality

by Andrew T. Le Peau

InterVarsity Press

IVP Books

Christian , Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date 08 Oct 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Write Better through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley:

Writing is not easy, but we can improve upon it with this primer on non-fiction writing. The author, publisher author and editor and editor for over forty years, who cheered on many writers. Andrew T. Le Peau offers insights from his perspective.

The skills Le Peau shows us that can be mastered are finding strong openings and closings, to focusing on an audience as well as creating clear structure, and to crafting a persuasive. This book includes wide ranging examples in both fiction and non-fiction. He also goes on to demystify aspects of art in writing such as creativity, tone, and metaphor. He considers strategies that can move writers toward fresher, more vital, and perhaps more beautiful expressions of the human condition.

Write Better shows us how the act of writing can affect our life in God. This book would be beneficial to writers whether Veteran or aspiring.

I give Write Better five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Wow! Other than Bird by Bird, I haven't ever loved a writing book this much. I have a feeling this is going to become a staple book for writers within the next few years. I know it's one that I will purchase and return to time and time again. It's full of practical advice that's written in a way that doesn't make you feel "talked at" or less than as some other writing books tend to do. It feels like sitting down and getting advice from a friend over coffee. I love this book!

As a fiction writer, and part time blogger. I enjoyed the tips and anecdotes in this book. I've already applied some of the suggestions to my blog. I have found I am getting more hits on those blogs since applying these tips.

I love the slightly humorous tone Andrew uses to explain each section (rule seems too harsh).

Thank you NetGalley for the review copy. I definitely need a physical copy of this one asap.

Le Peau's advice gives me courage to stay the course and keep writing. His book answers all of the questions an aspiring author would ever think to ask. If you are considering writing for a Christian audience, you are in luck as Le Peau takes all of the guesswork out of previously mystifying experiences of defining your audience, breaking through writer's block, and facing the fact that there are no certified grammar police. Writers of all experience levels will find encouraging practical advice on the craft of writing.

Le Peau offers writers a distillation of wisdom gleaned from decades of editorial experience. After reading his book, I felt as though I'd attended a writer's conference--all within the comfort of my home, at a pace I controlled. The breadth of topics and the infusion of examples offers something for every writing level. It is definitely a book that one must read slowly--and repeatedly--to reap the full benefit.

As the subtitle hints at, the book is divided into three main parts. The Craft of Writing will guide writers through the topics of opening, audience, structure, writer's block, rewriting, and creating titles. The Art of Writing explores creativity, rule-breaking, and metaphors. Finally, the Spirituality of Writing discusses the call to write, finding one's voice and some principles to guide Chrisian authors.

But that's not all, Le Peau also offers appendices that cover:
~Platform
~Editors & Agents
~Self-Publishing
~Legal Considerations (copyright, wills)

Readers will come away with tips for what to write, how to write, who to write for and what to do if your writing fails (or if it succeeds!). Write Better offers a comprehensive look at writing from creation to publication and puts a wealth of wisdom at the fingertips of writers of any skill level.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Write Better from NetGalley for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

If you read any non-fiction from Christian publishers, you are most likely familiar with InterVarsity Press (IVP). If that is the case, you have also unknowingly benefited from Andrew Le Peau's talents. Andrew Le Peau has distilled his years of working with and advising writers at IVP into his newest book Write Better: A Lifelong Editor on Craft, Art, and Spirituality.

As the sub-title suggests, Le Peau divides his book into three parts. In Part 1: The Craft of Writing, Le Peau tackles 10 topics which even the most experienced writers struggle with such as opening sentences, writer's block, and re-writing. I found Le Peau's chapters on "The Character of Persuasion" and "The Craft of Persuasion" particularly useful. In these chapters, he addresses topics related to research, finding reliable sources, and bias in sources as well as how to write persuasively. As I teach how to research, I found this section quite useful and will be referencing it frequently.

Moving to Part 2: The Art of Writing, Le Peau emphasizes that all writing needs to be creative writing in order to present content in a new way that will connect with your audience. He then proceeds to discuss tone, metaphor, and other topics. I quite enjoyed his admonition that it's OK to break the "rules" particularly when it serves your purpose.

Part 3: The Spirituality of Writing sets Writing Better apart from all of the other books about writing. Le Peau emphasizes that writing is a spiritual act and can be a ministry. He particularly cautions that those who write and publish in any format are looked up to by others and given authority. This authority must be handled carefully--especially so when dealing with spiritual matters. Le Peau also skillfully addresses the important questions of promoting your work as a writer.

Le Peau concludes this marvelous book with numerous appendices. These 5 appendices include words of wisdom from his years of editing experience regarding topics such as coauthors, copyright, and self-publishing. I will admit that given Le Peau's long history in publishing his comments about self-publishing were a bit surprising but made sense. Le Peau has also posted additional resources online that can be downloaded as well.

Anyone who writes in any capacity or who desires to write should add Write Better to their bookshelf. While focusing on non-fiction writing, many of Le Peau's suggestions apply to fiction as well. While reading the book straight through is wonderful, Write Better will be most useful as a frequently referenced text to work on specific aspects of writing. Writing groups may find it useful to work through each chapter in a workshop setting. Writing teachers will find Le Peau's work a useful resource as a textbook or minimally as a resource in preparing lessons on these topics. His downloadable instructor resource Questions and Exercises for Students and Others is most useful.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Write Better via NetGalley from InterVarsity Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Write Better by Andrew T LePeau is so much more than just a craft book. Oh, it’s definitely a craft book. Unlike other books about writing, reading just a few sentences of this book quickly taught me what my own novel is missing. This book has a wealth of information for new and experienced writers. But it goes far beyond the mechanics of writing to the substance below, to the purpose behind it all. I highly recommend this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I get nervous writing reviews for books about writing. This one is no exception. Le Peau has followed his calling of giving glory to God through words. This could be considered his answer to God’s gift. God’s gift to him has resulted in his gift to us. He teaches us so much through this one book that one could say it’s his body of work in one succinct set of pages. This deserves a spot on every Christian writer’s bookshelf.

This is an excellent book full of helpful advice on writing. It is divided into three sections: the craft of writing, the art of writing, and the spirituality of writing, and it covers a variety of topics: creating good titles, opening lines and endings, overcoming writer's block, using metaphors well, understanding how our writing and our spiritual lives interact with one another. There are also appendices covering practical advice on topics such as building a platform, working with editors and agents, and whether or not to self-publish.
It is obviously the advice of someone who is highly experienced, and it is written in an easy-to-read style full of helpful examples and anecdotes. I'm sure I will be referring back to the wisdom in this book at many points in the future, and I'd recommend it to anyone who would like to grow as a writer.

“If the opening sentences of what you write are just right, they can be a balm to readers and a joy to you.” - From Write Better by Andrew T. Le Peau

Andrew T. Le Peau sets out in Write Better to share his wisdom and experience gained through years of writing and editing. He creates an extensive book which offers inspiration and guidance whilst also being a reference.

The first section focuses on the art of writing. The power of the written word is highlighted. This section resonated with me and echoed much of what I’ve learnt in marketing storytelling.

“While opening with a strong, compelling story is always a good option, be sure the story is consistent with your main point as well as your target audience.” - From Write Better by Andrew T. Le Peau

The second section, the craft of writing, is extensive. It feels less like a section to be read straight through, but rather, a reference to be drawn on as one tackles different writing challenges. Andrew explores all the elements of writing, such as grammar, metaphor, tone, and then all the difficulties such as writer’s block. He offers careful analysis and practical suggestions for both.

“Grammar has one—and only one—purpose: to facilitate clear, effective, powerful, artful communication.” - From Write Better by Andrew T. Le Peau

To each element, Andrew adds his well-researched opinion giving one benefit of his vast experience.

“But the more we know, the harder it can be to communicate that effectively.” - From Write Better by Andrew T. Le Peau

The last section focuses on the spiritual element of writing, writing as a calling. Christianity is in each section and used as a guide for decision making. In this section though, it is put centre stage. Andrew discusses discerning one’s calling, the challenge of Christian writing and how to handle the rejection and success quoting supporting Biblical examples. Ultimately, he reminds us of the goal of writing, to answer God’s call and bring Him glory.

“When readers remember the miniature stories we’ve created with our metaphors, the advantage is clear. They are more likely to be convinced of the information or perspective we offer.” - From Write Better by Andrew T. Le Peau

Whilst being Christian-centric, the guidance is applicable to any style of writing, Christian or not, fiction, non-fiction, prose or poetry. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed it and appreciated the clarity offered by Andrew. I found it a little long-winded in sections and probably shouldn’t have tried to tackle section two in one fell swoop! I recommend it to all who are looking for a guide and reference to improve their writing or as a starting point to understanding the call to write. There are several useful appendices. It’s a four out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale.

There are many nuggets of wisdom in this book. It is definitely a great reference for those of us who are looking to improve our writing skills.

He refers to both fiction and non-fiction writing, drawing examples from each in order to clarify for the reader his meaning. As I am a marketing professional his focus on identifying the audience resonated with me, he considers it of utmost importance to know who we are writing for!

His outline of the messy process was most reassuring, it seems this is intrinsic to the business of writing. I love the truth that so many experts epitomise, in that the author asks us to know the rules, even if then we go ahead and break them! (I think there may be many school teachers who will struggle with this approach).

I recommend it while acknowledging that it will require I refer back to the various aspects as there is just too much to keep in one’s head in one reading.

With thanks to NetGalley, Intervarsity Press and the author for my free copy to review in exchange for an honest opinion.

Write Better A Lifelong Editor on Craft, Art, and Spirituality by Andrew T.Le

Peau is a book born for and with a necessity: divulging the lessons learned by mr. Le Peau during these past 40 years of writing, teaching to other Christian writers: the best modality for a good approach in Christian non-fiction and the best way of writing it.
Le Peau confesses that when he was little he didn't love to read at all, but he must thanks his two siblings and teachers if he became an avid reader as well.
The book is divided in Three Parts: the first one, the art of crafting will immerse the potential christian writer of non-fiction in the art of creation of a book. The second part involves The Art of Writing while the Third One The Spirituality of Writing.

It's a quick reading, but plenty of suggestions, tips, quotes about writers of fiction for let you give you an idea of what, other famous writers of the past or present thinks about writing. I loved the test for thinking divergently but also all that advice in grade to create a new shape of creativity in the daily stressing life of a writer.
I found reassuring the chapter about grammar and how to use it, like also how to use a good metaphor to give a more powerful structure at the lines.
Most important adds Andrew is to find "your own distinct way of writing."
Why this? Because sometimes searching to imitate a famous writer doesn't pay and it's better to search for your own writing-style. Let's remember that the way of writing represents also a sparkle of our personality and character. Why hiding it putting a mask?
A chapter I guess you'll find intriguing as I did, is the one of autobiography.
"We write. People choose to listen to us, follow us, maybe even pay money to support us, to hear us speak, or to buy our books. They give us the gift of the measure of authority in their lives. That is a trust we need to handle with care" adds the author.

Written with simplicity and with the idea of being helpful to everyone, I suggest this book to everyone and in particular of course to all that potential writers still confused about what to write, how to write, where publishing etc.

I thank NetGalley for this ebook.