Book Review: The Eight Crafts of Writing

The Eight Crafts of Writing by Stefan Emunds is a must-have on the bookshelf for anyone who wants a succinct reckoner for basic principles of good writing.

Eight-Crafts-of-Writing

Book: The Eight Crafts of Writing

Author: by Stefan Emunds

Genre: Nonfiction, Contemporary, Writing Craft

Review Copy: Reedsy

Available at: Amazon.in

Recommended: Loved it!

As a writer, this book grabbed my attention with its title. The Eight Crafts of Writing by Stefan Emunds is a must-have on the bookshelf for anyone who wants a succinct reckoner for basic principles of good writing.

Presented in a crisp format, the book provides a comprehensive map to navigate the writing jungle. Writers are often distracted by the tools of the trade, the multitude of best writing practices, advice on, and criticism of the styles. They tend to miss the overall picture. They forget the joy of creating art.

Nuggets of wisdom, easy to recall definitions, and a simplistic view of concepts are the cornerstone of this guidebook. It brings forth brief comprehension of elements of creative writing that we think we know but may not have clarity. For instance, defining a story as a genre or distinguishing a fictional piece from a nonfictional one. It talks about the techniques that convert big ideas into a masterpiece.

I realized the value of this book as I delved deeper. This is not a one-time read. It is reference material; a textbook. Highlight the nuances, make notes in the margins, view the online material, and memorize the definitions. I recommend it as a must-have for every student and pursuer of the craft of writing. Simple diagrams support the narrative. Links to external material like videos and articles enhance the reference power of the content.

Each page will draw you in, as you consume it. It’s virtually a tome because not a word is wasted; not a sentence is vagrant. It’s packed with a punch, a solid dose of learning in every single line. Read the whole book in a go or pick up a section and ruminate. You must also access the website – https://www.eightcrafts.com for additional learning through maps and articles. This is a masterclass in a book!

Balloon Man

Balloon Man

The balloon man
With helium-filled
Quirky designs
Much like life
Twisted, tied
Waiting to float
Into azure skies
Alas! The master holds
The strings tight!

Silhouettes

Silhouettes

Shadows dance on the wall
Claws dripping death
Faces set with fangs
Tentacles reaching out
From beyond sodden graves:
Against an orange luminous
The candelabra brings alive
Fears from another lifetime
Silhouettes from the wild,
The ones I fail to pacify!
Ravage my peace of mind!

Drones

Pursuing us
Watching over all
The silent hum
From a digital world
Surveillance drones
Chasing us, even in
The sleeping hours;
For how they evolve
To read our dreams
Fathom what our
Greatest fears are!
Thus, we lay bare
Before artificial gods!

A Story Blooms

A Story Blooms

Let words nourish my soul
Each letter seep into my pores
With every thought let it surge
A streak of light, an energy rush
Let tender paper caress fingers
As poetry on my lips trembles
Let my pen speak in volumes
As another story gently blooms!