Write Your Heart Out, by Geoff Schmidt
Smallmouth Press, 217 pages.
Hardcover, $24.
Published: October 5, 2001
A how-to novel on writing that can change your life
"The first time I saw Gus Jones, he walked into our seminar room, put his briefcase down flat at the head of the table, opened it, pulled out a gun, and pointed it at my head. (I had in those days an unfortunate eagerness to impress, and had chosen the seat to the left of what I knew would be Professor Jones's.) 'This semester,' he said, looking not at me but at each member of our workshop, 'you will by God write as if it mattered.' "
This is the opening of the book and it only gets better, folks.
First of all, I review a lot of books. Probably as many as a person can read and critique in a year. Many of them are books on writing. After a while, they may still be good, but the framework remains the same. This book, however, is like nothing you've read before. It will change the way you think about writing books, about writing—hell, it'll change your life. Geoff Schmidt should receive an award for not only coming up with such a bloody brilliant premise, but for following through with such flare, humor and ingenuity. I am amazed, truly amazed.
(To read the complete review, see the November 2001 issue.) |