Everyone's Goal is to Write Better!

If you read any non-fiction from Christian publishers, you are most likely familiar with InterVarsity Press (IVP). If that is the case, you have also unknowingly benefited from Andrew Le Peau's talents. Andrew Le Peau has distilled his years of working with and advising writers at IVP into his newest book Write Better: A Lifelong Editor on Craft, Art, and Spirituality.

As the sub-title suggests, Le Peau divides his book into three parts. In Part 1: The Craft of Writing, Le Peau tackles 10 topics which even the most experienced writers struggle with such as opening sentences, writer's block, and re-writing. I found Le Peau's chapters on "The Character of Persuasion" and "The Craft of Persuasion" particularly useful. In these chapters, he addresses topics related to research, finding reliable sources, and bias in sources as well as how to write persuasively. As I teach how to research, I found this section quite useful and will be referencing it frequently.

Moving to Part 2: The Art of Writing, Le Peau emphasizes that all writing needs to be creative writing in order to present content in a new way that will connect with your audience. He then proceeds to discuss tone, metaphor, and other topics. I quite enjoyed his admonition that it's OK to break the "rules" particularly when it serves your purpose.

Part 3: The Spirituality of Writing sets Writing Better apart from all of the other books about writing. Le Peau emphasizes that writing is a spiritual act and can be a ministry. He particularly cautions that those who write and publish in any format are looked up to by others and given authority. This authority must be handled carefully--especially so when dealing with spiritual matters. Le Peau also skillfully addresses the important questions of promoting your work as a writer.

Le Peau concludes this marvelous book with numerous appendices. These 5 appendices include words of wisdom from his years of editing experience regarding topics such as coauthors, copyright, and self-publishing. I will admit that given Le Peau's long history in publishing his comments about self-publishing were a bit surprising but made sense. Le Peau has also posted additional resources online that can be downloaded as well.

Anyone who writes in any capacity or who desires to write should add Write Better to their bookshelf. While focusing on non-fiction writing, many of Le Peau's suggestions apply to fiction as well. While reading the book straight through is wonderful, Write Better will be most useful as a frequently referenced text to work on specific aspects of writing. Writing groups may find it useful to work through each chapter in a workshop setting. Writing teachers will find Le Peau's work a useful resource as a textbook or minimally as a resource in preparing lessons on these topics. His downloadable instructor resource Questions and Exercises for Students and Others is most useful.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Write Better via NetGalley from InterVarsity Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.