Book Review: How To Be A Writer by Ruskin Bond.

 

Book: How To Be A Writer 

Author: Ruskin Bond 

Publisher: Harper Collins India 

Illustrator: Shamika Chaves and Chaaya Prabhat 

Pages: 126 

Read On: Hardback Edition 

How Long It Took Me To Read: 2 hours 

Plot Summary: Writing for me is the simplest and greatest pleasure in the world.

How to be a Writer is peppered with nuggets of practical advice for every person who is aspiring to write and be published, all told in Ruskin Bond's characteristic understated, tongue-in-cheek, humorous style.

So, what is it that a person requires the most to become a writer? A love of books, of language, of life, an observant eye and a good memory along with enthusiasm, optimism and persistence.

This book is an exclusive glimpse into the writing credo of Ruskin Bond, an author who has had an incredibly successful writing career spanning over seventy years.

Things I Liked: 

1. I read this beautiful book on my birthday this year, as part of my annual birthday tradition of reading Ruskin Bond on my birthday. I read it in under 2 hours and I highlighted some important bits and loved each page. It was a perfect birthday treat. 

2. This is a great book for anyone who aspires to be a writer, no matter their age. 

3. The wisdom in this book is in trademark Bond style. Simple. Straightedges forward. Important. Useful. 

4. The writing like every Bond book is simple, infused with warmth and so much avuncular wisdom. It was like getting some good advice from a beloved uncle or grand-uncle. Seriously, reading this book felt like sitting with a kind grand-uncle and getting advice over a cup of tea. 

5. The art is lovely. And adds so much beauty and loveliness to the book. It goes perfectly well with the subject matter. The illustrators have done a splendid job. 

The book comes with this postcard in the back. 

Look how pretty! 

6. The tips and advice in this book is pretty diverse and varied and give very sound advice from everything from how to write, writing habits, writing various genres and why to write. 

7. The book is great for kids (for whom it's intended) but it works really well for adults too. I ended up learning so much and highlighting loads. 

Rating: 4.5/5 

Highly recommend.