Writers' Notes Book Review (www.WritersNotes.com)

Joy Writing: Discover and Develop Your Creative Voice

by Kenn Amdahl

ISBN: 0-9627815-2-5

Clearwater Publishing

164 pages, $12.95

reviewed by Michelle Reale

I love this book. Bold statement, I know, but let me be honest right up front. Kenn Amdahl truly writes for the writer in Joy Writing. He is not writing to impress, he’s not writing to be fashionably inscrutable, he really is writing as a guide and coach, albeit a tough and often unforgiving one, for those at just about any stage in their writing career. And the fact that all of those that he addresses are his potential competition makes it more of a joy to read, since his happy presumption is that there is enough “work” out there for everyone. On the other hand he states outright: “As far as getting your work published, I am your competition. If you’re only willing to be rejected a dozen times or so, even if you’re twice the writer I am, I will eat you alive. Consider yourself warned.”

Hmm. Right, then. Amdahl speaks without any of the cloying metaphors sometimes used in books on writing, spoon-feeding cold, hard facts, showing they are no less palatable, or more importantly less true, when dressed up.

First, you must write. So, he asks, why write? While on the surface this may seem obvious, he challenges the writer to really examine why it is that he will choose to suffer more rejection than acceptance, work perhaps for years in obscurity for little or no pay, and perhaps have the meaning of the work, in the long run, misunderstood anyway? He believes that like anything else in life, examining why we devote ourselves or, in some cases do not devote ourselves, will help to crystallize our intentions from the outset and save ourselves (and those who love us) a lot of grief.

He’s written the book in digestible chunks, but resist reading the book as you would a novel– stop after each section and take notes, apply it to your writing, and think on it. The sections include: Before You Write, Beginning to Write, Thinking about Language, The Overall Flow of any Work, and Improving. His guidance is a blend between the philosophical, which he starts out with, and the practical. Perhaps the most important message, which he persists in driving home with regularity, is that to write well, you must, repeat must, at least at the outset and perhaps for a long time, be willing to write badly. Because sooner or later, that bad writing will progress into better writing and then, who knows? The possibilities are endless. Amadahl tells the reader “In my world, opportunity answers the front door for the guy who just keeps knocking. Smart beats lucky every time and persistence beats them both.” In fact, even with all of the amazing writing advice in this book, realistically, none of it will work without persistence.

In the end, he admits: “You and I will never duel over the same phrase; you’re not likely to write a funny book that teaches electronics; I’m unlikely to attempt writing the history of your great aunt Phaedra. If they concede writing math books to me, I’ll concede vampires to Ann Rice and the world “utterly” to Annie Dillard. Writing is a celebration in a large tent with room for everyone. We belong to a huge, gloriously happy, and diverse family.”

O.K., reader/writer, go out and celebrate the writing life. Then get to work!