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Any writer should read it' Bee WilsonA
light-hearted yet authoritative exploration of how to find the ideal words and craft the perfect sentence, short or long, from sentence sensation Joe MoranFor word freaks, language nerds, students, wannabe writers and fans of
John Yorke's Into the Woods (32k) and Lynne Truss'
Eats, Shoots & LeavesWaterstones supported the hardback by running the
World Cup of First Lines across their social media channels (The winner being Orwell's: 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen')'
Moran's own sentences are perfect advertisements for the aims they espouse' Craig Brown
Joe Moran is Professor of English and Cultural History at Liverpool John Moores University and is the author of seven books, including
Queuing for Beginners: The Story of Daily Life from Breakfast to Bedtime, Armchair Nation: An Intimate History of Britain in Front of the TV,
Shrinking Violets: The Secret Life of Shyness and
First You Write a Sentence. He writes for, among others, the
Guardian, the
New Statesman and the
Times Literary Supplement.Joe Moran has a genius for turning the prosaic poeticThoughtful reflections on how to write wellJoe Moran is the most perceptive and original observer of British life that we haveMoran has fast become Britain's foremost explorer and explainer of the disregardedMoran is a wonderful, witty writer, and here he surpasses himselfCompelling . . . There's plenty in Moran's book to delight grammar and language nerdsHumane and witty . . . as a primer in generous and lively writing, First You Write a Sentence is blithe and convincingExquisite...Moran's own sentences are so deliciously epigrammatic that I considered giving up chocolate in favour of re-reading his book...He is more mentor than instructor
A STYLE GUIDE BY STEALTH - HOW ANYONE CAN WRITE WELL (AND FULLY ENJOY GOOD WRITING)
'Joe Moran is a wonderfully sharp writer, calm, precise and quietly comical' Craig Brown
Advanced maths has no practical use, and is understood by few. A symphony can be enjoyed, but created only by a genius. Good writing, however, can be written (and read) by anyone if we give it the gift of our time.
Enter universally praised historian Professor Joe Moran. From the Bible and Shakespeare to Orwell and Diana Athill, First You Write a Sentence.show us how the most ordinary words can be turned into verbal constellations, sharing:
- The tools of the trade; from typewriters to texting and the impact this has on the craft
- Writing and the senses; how to make the world visible and touchable
- How to find the ideal word, build a sentence, and construct a paragraph
Good writing can ignite the hearts and minds of readers, help us notice the world better and live more meaningful lives. And it's a power we all can wield.
'What a lovely thing this is: a book that delights in the sheer textural joy of good sentences . . . Any writer should read it' Bee Wilson
'Thoughtful, engaging, and lively . . . when you've read it, you realise you've changed your attitude to writing (and reading)' John Simpson, formerly Chief Editor of the OED and author of The Word Detective
'Moran is a past master at producing fine, accessible non-fiction' Helen Davies, Sunday Times
