"I have more than 35 years experience as a newspaper reporter and line editor (now work in health care communications and edit freelance and staff writers daily) and it's no exaggeration to say this is one of the better books on writing, reporting and storytelling that I've run across. Whether you're a student who's just trying to get a feel for things, working on writing in your spare time, or a professional who's pounding away in the field daily, there's something here for you. It's all practical, all doable, and every page has a best practice that will help you up your game. While I know a few of the writers here, I have no relationship with Chip Scanlan. :-) If you have someone in your life who writes, they will love this. And if that person is you, then treat yourself to a copy. Bonus: you'll find great writers and storytellers to follow as you continue your journey.""

""The book, “Writers on Writing – 4 Questions, 55 Writers, Hundreds of Insights & 111 Journal Writing Prompts” is a marvelous book for writers, people who have a passion for writing, or simply, who want to become writers. Yet what strikes me about this book is that it is not just for writers only.

""Writers on Writing, the book itself is insightful into the craft of writing. Use the book to better enhance your own writing and interviewing skills. The four questions Chip Scanlan poses and the 55 answers can help even the person conducting a job interview to the candidate who is applying for the job. Students will find Writers on Writing a helpful resource for school essays and group projects. I found the book to be a must-have resource book for my own writing and blogging.""

This book is a prime example of the power of a good interview. By posting the same four questions to 55 great writers and editors, Chip Scanlan has created something fascinating and inspiring for writers of all stripes.

Common themes emerge from the writers, of course, along with a welcome diversity of voices and approaches.

Dip into it for advice on journalism, the writing life, or simply some wonderful writing-related metaphors!""?

""As a full-time freelancer, this book gives me the feeling of being back in the newsroom when there would be talk of the craft during lunch or happy hours. It’s fascinating to read these 4 questions answered by writers I know and admire from afar. It’s also a relief to know that most writers struggle with imposter syndrome! I’ll be giving this book to fellow writers and will keep a copy on my bookshelf for days when I need to be inspired again.""

""One of the nation’s premier writing teachers — Chip Scanlan — has produced a book brimming with insights on writing from 55 of our best writers and editors. Not only are these insights enlightening, they’re also entertaining, and they provide the kind of knowledge one only gains from reporting and writing in the trenches. Highly recommended for both grizzled veterans and those embarking on a writing career.""

""Writers on Writing is quite different from the majority of books I’ve read about writing. Instead of a straight up guide dealing with the writing process and things like plot, characterization, world building and the like, Chip Scanlan treats us to 55 different takes on the process as he asked authors, editors, and journalists to answer 4 simple questions. Each chapter is bite sized (only a few pages long), offering up opinions/tips/ tidbits on what each of those interviewed feels are the keys to being a successful writer. It’s a quick read and there are definitely some real pearls of wisdom that make it worth reading.""

""Writers on Writing represent a visionary collation of advice from fifty-five writers: novelists, educators, journalists and more. Chip Scanlan then reprocesses their thoughts in the form of promptings for the aspiring writer to dig deeper for specific writing tips.

The overall most compelling piece of advice for me was to write in The Journal every day; write about everything and anything; write about tips that work, tips that don’t work. Or examine your feelings about the difference from one process to another. Then, as you describe your feelings, you will begin understanding your writer-self more and more and more.

Fifty-five writers contributing two-hundred-twenty tips provides a treasure trove of wisdom: Susan Orlean, Chapter 1: suggests the use of smells to add depth and sharpen our descriptions. And timely for my personal need is Kelly Benham French, Chapter 24: “dependent clauses rob sentences of energy and clarity.” My grammar checker never fails to prompt me for this rule. It is time to implant it in my memory.

Writers on Writing is well-packaged and offers many points of access to the subject of writing excellence. It is a journal you may use every day or for inspiration as needed. Chip Scanlan seems to know his audience very well in offering a maze of diverse pathways to soaking up excellence in the intriguing subject of writing.

I have no hesitation in recommending Writers on Writing to writers at any stage in their lives. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.""

""You'll learn new things. You'll be reminded of writing truths you know but have perhaps forgotten or, worse, ignored. You'll even look on long established writing habits with a new eye. Even if you consider yourself ""just a reader"" you'll come away with a newfound respect for the words, the heart and soul of the writer, that you read on the page. And, who know, you might even be inspired to set down a few of your own words.

I won't detail the information shared as it will apply to each in different ways. Instead, I'll simply say that this one should be on your bookshelf.""