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Becoming a Writer
- Narrated by: Julie Sears
- Length: 3 hrs and 20 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Published in 1934 and still the best audiobook available on practical psychology of creative writing and all related aspects. The author was herself a successful fiction writer, journalist and also authored a self-help best-seller Wake Up and Live! This audiobook is a must for every practicing or aspiring writer.
What listeners say about Becoming a Writer
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amazon Customer
- 10-12-19
Stop... don't go any further
I should have read the reviews and listened to the sample before purchasing this book. I was just so excited about it - it came highly recommended by someone I respect. I have not given up on the book (I'll purchase it in hard copy) but I think the narrator was AI because she sounded robotic and emphasized words in weird places. It was unbearable. I wasn't able to return it this time... please check it out thoroughly before using a credit!!
2 people found this helpful
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- Philip R. Ellsworth
- 04-20-22
Her Way or the Highway
Oddly, the author leaves very little wiggle time for the creative process in this book, instead outlining a rigid process that worked for her. she even goes so far as to say things like "if you can't do 'xyz' then you aren't meant to be a writer." I call B.S. That's old thinking. There are as many ways to write as there are books to be written. pass this one up and spend some time discovering your own creative processes.
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- Plainfield317
- 12-06-21
Robotic, content good but too drawn out
I think the narrator was a real person but sounded like a robot. The content could have been covered in 75% fewer words. Although, some valuable thoughts.
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- Michael Austin
- 10-27-21
Terrific Book- Horrendous Narrator
The narrator of this book seems as if she’s completely disconnected from what she’s attempting to read is just reading words on a page. No flow. Super choppy. It’s no exaggeration to say I’ve heard 3rd graders read text more naturally.
That being said the book is so fantastic. So it’s a real shame. Worth it to listen if you don’t have time to read the paperback or kindle version, but be forward the narration is tough to get through.
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- John Snydert
- 05-24-20
Compulsory for all writers
It is hard to believe that it was first written in 1934. Every sentence in this book guides you to physically and mentally transform into being a writer. A must read for all writers struggling to begin, progress or excel at writing fiction. In an ever distracting world, this book is more relevant than ever before and should be read/ listened to at least once a year.
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- readergirl
- 01-06-16
Robotic, Siri-type voice!!!
There were perhaps some nuggets in here, but the delivery was so awful it made it hard to pay attention and/or not make fun of the horrible ro-bo-tic voice. It's almost like a SNL skit. Also, some anecdotes ("Now almost everyone has a typewriter") date this back to the dark ages. So.....see if you can stand this horrible narration and dated material to pick up any tips. Only get if its nearly free/on sale. Not worth a credit.
4 people found this helpful
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- Bob
- 07-08-15
Great Book.. Audio has major issues
The incessant clicking noise in the background is very distracting, and the narrator is slightly monotonous.
2 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 02-27-18
Great book so far but what’s with the narration??
I’m really only at the beginning of this audiobook and I’m not sure I can finish listening to it. Not one for throwing the baby out with the bath water, I am able to discern that the contents of this book is what I’m looking for however the narration is almost too annoying to continue. I’m left wondering whether A.I. has developed so much that an automaton is almost able to sound human. Were it not for the occasional change of tone and emphasis I wouldn’t hesitate to say it’s a robot! I will probably end up buying the book as I’m not sure how much more I can take. What was the narrator thinking adopting this mechanical way of speaking? It’s as if she’s taken out all the punctuation! Buy the paperback!
4 people found this helpful
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- Ian
- 10-10-20
Terrible Narration!
I loved this book at university and I couldn’t wait to listen to it back. Unfortunately the narration spoiled it for me - at times it really sounded like software to me. The narration soulless and automatic sounding and it made it difficult to pay attention to what is a genuinely great book.
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- MelanieMurza
- 05-25-20
Very useful advice.
Quite strict but you can pick and choose. The voice is quite robotic, which is a shame. I finished the book though and learnt a lot.
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- T D
- 10-05-17
It is a classic that every writer's must have.
This book, which I have owned for a number of years, but only listened to recently had reinvigorated my own writing practice. I think it is worth revisiting periodically to keep one grounded. It shiuld be the first book read by all prospective writers. This