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Murder Your Darlings
352 pages, 2021
One of the best ways to improve your writing is to read about it. Unfortunately, there are many books offering different advice. So, how do you know which one is right for you? Fortunately, your search is over. In Murder Your Darlings, Roy Peter Clark – who has been a beloved and revered writing teacher to children and Pulitzer Prize winners alike for more than thirty years – has compiled a remarkable collection of more than 100 of the best writing tips from fifty of the best writing books of all time.
Roy Peter Clark emphasizes the importance of editing in writing. He suggests that writers should not be afraid to 'murder their darlings', or in other words, to cut out parts of their work that may not serve the overall story, even if they are particularly fond of them.
The book explores the art of storytelling. It encourages readers to dig deeper into their creative minds and find unique ways to tell their stories. It's not just about writing, it's about crafting a narrative that engages and captivates your audience.
Clark makes it clear that writing is a process. It's not about getting it perfect the first time, but about revising, refining, and sometimes, starting over. He encourages writers to see each draft as a step closer to their final masterpiece.
Murder Your Darlings also highlights the importance of reading. Clark believes that to be a good writer, one must also be a good reader. Reading widely can help you understand different writing styles, narrative structures, and themes.
The book underscores the role of research in writing. Clark suggests that writers should not just rely on their imagination, but also look into facts, real-life experiences, and historical events to make their stories more believable and relatable.