Letters to a Young Writer

Letters to a Young Writer by Colum McCann

Much like Rilke’s book Letters to a Young Poet, Colum McCann’s book gives advice on how to be a better writer and so much more. This book is instructional as well as inspirational. You’ll want to write more and write better. 

The 53 letters in this book contain advice on everything from following the rules of grammar to there are no rules. He exhorts the reader to fail, fail, fail. He offers advice on competing only with yourself, writing dialogue, editing, reading aloud and how to get an agent. The longest letter is seven pages. The shortest is three words; Rejoice. Read Joyce. 

My favorite piece of advice: Don’t be a dick. 

So whether you write for a living, have a blog, dash off the occasional letter or just post comments on Facebook, this book will help do it better. 

Letters to a Young Writer by Colum McCann