Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method
posted in Writing |
This is a book on the craft of writing from one of the masters. It is comparable with two classics in this area–On Writing Well [1] and On Writing [2]. In the book, Gerald M. Weinberg, author of more than 40 best-selling books and 400 articles, shares his wisdom on and techniques for writing.
The book contains Weinberg’s writing methodology–The Fieldstone Method–which he practices and teaches in his writing classes and workshops. This method has helped many of his students become successful authors and writers. In the book, Weinberg draws the analogy to the stone-by-stone method of building fieldstone structures. Fieldstones are stones found in the field and usually collected for making walls, fences, and various other structures.
The book contains 20 simple and easy-to-read chapters, an excellent reference section, and an index. The chapters are peppered with real-life examples and humorous anecdotes, which make reading enjoyable. The chapters also contain many exercises that will help the readers in practicing and perfecting what they have learned.
The first chapter serves as the introduction and teaches the most important principle about writing–“never attempt to write something you don’t care about” as opposed to the traditional approach–“write about what you know.” Chapter 2 deals with various techniques to overcome “Writer’s Block” and also describes a typical day in the life of a Fieldstone Writer.
In the next 17 chapters, Weinberg explains his time-tested and proven writing method–The Fieldstone Method. This method involves the gathering, sorting, discarding, polishing, and arranging the fieldstones. Fieldstones can be snippets of writing, photos, diagrams, quotations, pictures, and references that you find interesting.
Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 contain various methods for gathering fieldstones. These methods include gathering during interactions, recycling from literature, and gathering from memory. These chapters also deal with topics like plagiarism, testing, and stimulating the memory. Chapter 7 is devoted to tools that will help the writers in gathering the stones more effectively. The sections like “Why I Am not Quite as Rich and Famous as Scott Adams,” “But My Stones Are Not That Significant!,” “Gathering from (Unreadable) Classics,” are as interesting as they are informative.
Chapters 9 and 10 discuss sorting the stones collected and discarding the useless ones. These chapters explain the various techniques and criteria for effectively and efficiently discarding the information bits that will not be useful to you. These chapters are important, because if you keep all the stones you gather, you will soon find it very difficult to find the right ones when needed.
Chapter 11 deals with the methods for editing and pruning your work. It discusses the Dani’s decimation technique with the help of an excellent example. Chapter 12 is about getting organized and gives several guidelines for efficient organization. This chapter also discusses the Fieldstone Solitaire–a technique that is used when one is having trouble getting started with the organization or having trouble thinking of something to write. In Chapter 13, Weinberg discusses how to use the Solitaire model for outlining. Chapter 14 is about organizing the work space. It discusses how to create an optimal environment that is comfortable and conducive for writing–one that promotes creativity and provides energy for writing. In Chapter 15, the author discusses various techniques to finishing the work. It gives valuable advice on what to do when you are stuck. The section “When You Get Stuck, Center, Enter, and Turn” is an excellent example on what to do when you are stuck. Chapter 16 is about the power of the subconscious and how to effectively tap that power and use it in your writing.
In chapters 17 and 18, Weinberg teaches various tactics and methods for making what you have written more organized, clear, concise, and interesting. The topics include making the writing memorable, simple, and specific, writing for rapport, varying styles for varying effects, using quotations, and building on underlying ideas. Chapter 19 offers excellent advice on when to stop. This chapter deals with three very important reasons that prevent many writes from finishing a manuscript–the Bingo-card effect, the need to be perfect, and the need to be loved. It offers solutions on how to overcome these obstacles and completing the work.
Chapter 20 deals with the various activities that you have to do once you have completed the manuscript like finding a literary agent, getting published, and life after publishing. It also describes the “Matthew Effect” and making the best use of it–getting others to collect the fieldstones for you.
The reference section contains an annotated bibliography of books on various aspects of writing, arranged under various categories. This bibliography is an excellent source for writers who want to learn more.
This is an excellent book and is a must-read for writers and aspiring writers. The methodology and techniques described in it are time-tested and have been successfully practiced; the content is thoroughly researched, logically organized, and well presented. Weinberg’s vast experience, expertise, and wisdom shines through on every page, making it an invaluable resource for writers.
[2] King, S., On Writing, Scribner, 2000.
Book Details:
- Author: Gerald M. Weinberg
- Publisher: Dorset House Publishing Company, Inc.
- Year: 2005
- ISBN: 093263365X
- Cover & Page Count: Paperback, 194 Pages
You can order online at Amazon.
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