The Writing Engine

Grade: D+. No, wait, C--.

That's a grade I received on one of my philosophy essays once. The professor had written D+ at the end, then crossed it out and wrote C-- (with two minus signs). He talked with his hands and had that hilarious trait where he backpedalled everything he said, so I could totally see him saying, "You get a D+. No, wait, no, make that a C. A C--."

This book, The Writing Engine by Luc Reid, was going to get a D+. Why? Because it isn't really a book, but instead a giant schill for his website. I won't advertise it here. I had a really hard time reading it, because I think it skips too much. Not skipping around, like jumping from one topic to the next, but like he didn't really care enough to go in-depth into each article, instead wrote a summary, then posted a link to the real article at his site. Well, I could have gone to your site for free, thanks.

In the beginning, I thougt he was funny, and having downloaded the sample I immediately wanted this book because he mentioned Inigo Montoya. Who wouldn't want to read more from someone who quotes The Princess Bride?

And he is funny. But it's not enough. From the book I don't think I got enough of a look at the exercises he would prescribe (and to which he subscribes) to feel like I learned something from him. I felt increasingly frustrated each time I saw the link to the website (on almost every page...of the Kindle). It felt more like a lecture series where you've only attended the introductory seminar - like I read his syllabus. I'll give him this...it's readable. That goes a long way in my book (the figurative one). I didn't feel like I was DRAGGING myself through it or anything. Grade D books are ones I had to force myself to complete, and F books are ones where I couldn't even crawl to the finish line.

Soon I'll post an explanation of the various grades and why I give what I give.