Scalzi, John: You're Not Fooling Anyone When You Take Your Laptop to a Coffee Shop
You're Not Fooling Anyone When You Take Your Laptop to a Coffee Shop: Scalzi on Writing
Author: John Scalzi
Genre: Non-Fiction, Writing Advice
Pages: 318
Final Thoughts: Worth the time.
John Scalzi announced the second printing of his book of writing advice last week - each was/is a limited printing of 500 copies, so they're relatively rare. At any rate, I wasn't aware that such a book had been published, and I decided to check my local library system on the off chance they had a copy. As it turns out, the Jefferson County Public Library in Colorado owns two copies, and one of them was available right away on the shelves of my favorite local branch. You see, although I support the idea of Scalzi getting paid for his work, I find it hard to believe this second printing won't sell out just like the first one did and since I'm the type who rarely feels the need to re-read writing advice/memoir books it seemed like I could put my $30 to a better use while still enjoying what he had to say. Grad school has made a pragmatist out of me.
Okay, that's not really true. I've been something of a pragmatist in the philosophical sense since I read William James back in college, but that's beside the point.
Back to Scalzi. I've read his blog, The Whatever, for about 8 months now, and I generally find him to be an honest, funny, intelligent sort of guy. When I realized that the book is compiled from selected entries from The Whatever's 10 years of archives, I have to admit that I was again rather glad that I hadn't shelled out for it. Not that I really want to wade through the archives to find a tidbit if I need it in the future, but I can if I really need to. Or, you know, I could go back to the library. Crazy idea, that.
This book is, above almost all else, a practical one. Scalzi approaches his writing practically - it's a job, to be done well or not, depending on how badly you want to pay the bills - and it's a rather refreshing angle. To that end, most of his advice isn't about inspiration or muses or writing perfect prose. It's about the mindset you need to have to do your job well. To be honest, there's a lot here that could apply across all types of jobs. In the end, a lot boils down to "Don't be a jerk or an idiot, and if you inadvertently exhibit those qualities, apologize as soon as you realize it."
I suppose that's why a lot of books about "the writing life" don't really appeal to me. So much is common sense (despite the fact that we all know common sense isn't common) or else it really depends on the individual. The best thing about this, for me, was the realization that he makes a really respectable paycheck just for writing, and I could too if I developed those skills more. Yeah, most of what he's paid for isn't fiction, but it's writing.
As it turns out, I've got a possible opportunity to start doing some freelance PR writing for the place where I work. I've hesitated in pursuing it because honestly I feel like I'll be way out of my depth, but this is the sort of organization that will give me an opportunity to learn rather than pushing me aside because they know I do good work in general, and they know I write, and they're willing to give me a chance to prove I'm capable of doing good writing work for them. Seeing how much of a contribution that makes in the Scalzi household is really making me think I can handle this - or more to the point, that I want to learn to handle it.
In that sense, I'm very glad I read this when I did.
And since I've been making it a theme to gripe about catchy titles that just don't pay off in the text (hey, calico_reaction has her cover art; I have my titles) I was sadly disappointed with this one. I mean, come on - this title is brilliant, and really deserves more than 3 sentences in the book. Okay, I'm done.
Otherwise, it's a good general overview of writing advice, and I almost always enjoy reading what John has to say. I had the advantage of never having read any of these entries before, which was a nice bonus. And there are a lot worse ways to spend a slow day at work. Definitely worth the time but, like most books by writers on writing, not worth the money for me. Glad I picked it up from the library.
Book #60