• Stein on Writing

  • A Master Editor Shares His Craft, Techniques, and Strategies
  • By: Sol Stein
  • Narrated by: Christopher Lane
  • Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,659 ratings)

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Stein on Writing

By: Sol Stein
Narrated by: Christopher Lane
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Publisher's summary

Stein on Writing provides immediately useful advice for writers of fiction and nonfiction, whether newcomers or accomplished professionals. As Sol Stein, renowned editor, author, and instructor, explains, "This is not a book of theory. It is a book of usable solutions, how to fix writing that is flawed, how to improve writing that is good, how to create interesting writing in the first place." With examples from his best sellers as well as aspiring students' writing, Stein offers detailed sections on characterization, dialogue, pacing, flashbacks, liposuctioning flab, the "triage" method of revision, using the techniques of fiction to enliven nonfiction, and more.
©1995 Sol Stein (P)2003 Blackstone Audiobooks

Featured Article: 45+ Quotes About Writing from Famous Writers


No matter how passionate you are about it, writing can be difficult. Whenever you’re struggling with writer’s block, rejection, competition, insecurity, or any of the countless obstacles that wordsmiths encounter daily, it can help to get encouragement from those who have successfully overcome the very same challenges. If you're looking for inspiration to start your next project, these quotes about writing from writers themselves are sure to be welcome reading!

What listeners say about Stein on Writing

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Arrogant but informative

Stein incredibly arrogant. He tells us we should read John Grisham’s “The Firm” for an example of poor writing. Good writers on the other hand notice little things like the sexual interplay between fathers and their adolescent daughters, mothers and adolescent sons at square dances. If you can ignore his self-serving and sometimes ludicrous comments like the one about square dances, the book has some excellent information for aspiring writers.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good advice for an aspiring writer

What did you love best about Stein on Writing?

The book provided a lot of examples of good writing and excellent writing by applying the techniques mentioned. Even for someone who is only looking to improve her writing (not necessarily get published) would benefit from this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Stein on Writing?

I practice the advice of cutting out adverbs and adjectives. Is the writing still saying the same thing with less words?

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

yep, really good

Went into a fair amount of detail. Provided great examples. Good little exercises and answers provided to see if you have what it takes. It was a little bit long, but everything in it was relevant. Very insiteful, a must for budding writers who want the edge. Lots of key elements needed for the difference between pulp fiction and quality writing. Very well done. I'm going to try Ayn Rand's "Art of Fiction" next just to get a comparison.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful!!!

Get this audiobook if you're intereted in improving your writing skills.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

No Small Thing

This is not a book that you will say you have heard before. This book is one that you will say you need to hear again.

For any writer, Stein's words will be like gold. I only wish he would speak of grammar.

E.B. Whites, Elements of Style could very well be right next to this (aside from length).

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Worth It

Unlike other "...those who can't, teach" books on writing, Stein's book is packed with useful, tangible information that can help just about any writer. This book is primarily geared towards fiction writers, but non-fiction writers will benefit as well. (And as Stein points out, non-fiction writers that don't have a novel stashed away some place are few and far between.) Stein explains how text looks from a editor's/publisher's point of view and in my opinion, he explains why a lot of "good" writing doesn't sell.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Classic

Sol Stein’s On Writing is a classic that still speaks. Sol shares his experiences as a successful editor in a clear, methodical, and applicable manner. Though primarily written for fiction authors, the book is also relevant for non-fiction authors. In fact, he points out at the beginning what chapters apply to each group. Even though I am primarily interested in non-fiction, I found the entire book very interesting, filled with great examples, analyses based on published texts, many of which were edited by Sol himself. Listening to the insights of an editor with his experience is priceless info. If you are serious about writing, this book is a must. Narration is exceptional and easy to follow.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent material for writers

I loved the content and performance. I wish I had found this when I first started writing.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent information

A wealth of information. Very detailed and written in an easy to comprehend Style. I loved the book and we'll use it practically every day as a main reference.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Concise, Possibly Complete

Sol gets right to the point. There is nothing superfluous in here. All the lessons are gold.

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