Journalism books

Whenever I'm in bookstores, I invariably look up books about writing but have yet to buy one because I'm never sure if they're really helpful or if I'd just be flushing my money down the toilet.

I was recently talking to a colleague who suggested I pick up three books in particular. I trust his opinion but I'd also like to know what others think about these books. They are:

"On Writing Well" by William Zinsser
"The Art and Craft of Feature Writing" by William Blundell
"Elements of Style" by Strunk and White

Any constructive input would be appreciated.

 

I'm not speaking from experience because I've never read it myself, but for whatever it's worth, I have heard from at least two people who suggest "On Writing Well"

 

I'll go with the "flushing your money" option.

The best way to build writing skills by reading is to read good writing, not tips on how to write well.

Unfortunately, there are fewer options today. When newspapers were edited more thoroughly and when Sports Illustrated focused on writing and not juvenile idiocy, a lot more options were available.

So I'd suggest finding a writer whose style you like and then trying to imitate that.

If you want some suggestions:

http://www.wenalway.com/introduction/books.htm

 

Have never read the first two books, so can't comment on them.

I'll agree with part of Dye's advice -- the part about reading good writing, and imitating the style of good writers. READ, READ, READ.

But "The Elements of Style" is absolutely worth the money. Every writer needs to read this one, no matter what kind of writing you do.

Another very, very good writing book is "On Writing" by Stephen King. It's an excellent part-memoir/part-instructional aid about making a living as a writer. And it applies to journalists just as much as it does to novelists. Very fine book.

 

Have read all three at some point or another. First two were not bad, but nothing really stuck with me.

Strunk & White is ESSENTIAL to keep above your desk. There was a book written in a similar vein, "The Elements of Journalism" but it's more about the work of a journalist than the writing.

My personal favorite, and a very easy read, is "The Writer's Rules" by Helen Gurley Brown (of Cosmo fame). It's geared toward magazine writers, but there are very good rules for all writers.

 

I don't get the impression that he's looking for a "how to" book to learn about writing. David Ortiz doesn't take batting practice to learn how to hit.

 

Says the guy who says a degree is essential for getting a gig in this business. :

 

A great book on grammar/writing is "Woe is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English" by Patricia T. O'Conner. Get the 2004 paperback edition ($11 on Amazon). It is definitely worth reading (although I haven't finished it yet)

 

"On Writing Well" by William Zinsser, for sure.

 

Thanks, Cadet, and you're right. Just interested in something that might help me refine whatever skills I may have.

Just to clarify, I didn't go to university or to J-school, so I haven't had the chance to read these or similar books in any kind of educational setting.

 

You're not going to morph into Mark Twain after reading it, but Eats, Shoots and Leaves was fun.