Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Bold, Contemporary Style

An interesting book packed with advice for writers. His fresh approach is commendable. A must read for aspiring writers. Shipped from USA with good delivery time, and though it said used, it was 'as new'.

*Spunk & Bite* is for me a funky rhythm and jazz resource of techniques and suggestions for bringing writing alive. So much of my daily articles consist of actionless verbs (have, to be, are, would have, should have), with little no surprises or engaging fun for the reader. While I may write straight forward and complex sentences, my syntax and paragraphs simply tie one thought to the next. My writing (like this review) is nice, but not memorable or engaging.You might think in the first few chapters of his book that Plotnik is showing off with a bunch of had-to-look-them-up-in-the-dictonary words (though admittedly, reading the Kindle version of this book with the device's built-in dictionary will be useful to the average reader), that is not the case. Plotnik just happens to be an intelligent teacher of writing. *Spunk & Bite* would make a cut above perfect textbook for any advance writing class. For any writer has control of standard grammar and coherent writing might find this book a worthy next course for taking writing to its most engaging level.Nearly each page contains examples of how to use what is called *locutions, locutions, locutions* (my first introduction to the word)-- which means "to use a word, the turning of a phrase in some stylistic manner."He explains how to use elements of surprise, diction, narratives tense, mouthwatering verbs, color, hot nouns from verbs, ephemeral imagery, stellar leads and stunning endings, and much more to add punch and juice to your writing.If you've never used a thesaurus or specialized dictionary of words and lists, you'll see how and why as you read *Spunk*. Plotnik goes beyond the tired suggestion given to most writers: keep a thesaurus on your desk. No, he actually shows why and how word books can be useful.I finished reading the book in about three days, and I suggest you might get more out of it if you give it a brisk first read and then come back to it again and again as a resource. Yes, I guess it could also sit right beside your copy of Strunk and White *Elements of Style*, if you you indeed even have read it in years.I plan to work through the exercises at the end of the book just as way to review and practice the techniques he explains. For it is not just enough to read the book from cover-to-cover, but more importantly to practice what he preaches, argues, and demonstrates in each carefully crafted chapter.Here's a break down of what he covers. The list comes from Plotnik's own website:-- undoing an "E.B. Whitewash"-- elements of surprise-- describing the extraordinary-- writing for Generations X, Y and beyond-- stellar leads, stunning endings-- choosing narrative tense-- diction: be the word-- freshening the vocabulary-- words with beautiful music-- coining great locutions-- hot nouns from verbs-- world-class words from abroad-- mouthwatering verbs-- better color for your colors-- finding the names of things-- intensifiers for feeble locutions-- semicolons with confidence-- niceties worth preserving-- the feng shui of writing-- "disinfecting" your prose-- hunting down danglers-- modifiers with minus effects-- using ephemeral imagery-- achieving "edge"-- language and terrorism-- whom we write for

Okay guide for writers but nothing new or especially helpful.

Fantastic tool for writers. I am adding it to my collection. This book induced thought and provided a fresh perspective on writing. Provides many examples on how to write clearer, wittier, and how to put more action into content. I was pleased with my purchase.

This was one of the first writing books I'd read (outside the textbooks for english classes). It was delightfully surprising, and gave me a renewed interest in writing again. The humor injected into 'Spunk and Bite' kept me addicted and wanting to read more--even though it is only a writing book. It gave me an understanding of what readers yearn for and why I've gotten tired of so many books--there's not much spunk or bite to the writing. Plotnik explores how to make dull and expected sentences something knew and surprising that will keep the mind more attentive and draw readers in for more. High recommend.