Review: First You Write a Sentence - Joe Moran

This is a book that will change your writing. 

Whether you need some kindling to warm the hearth of your ideas or a spark to reignite your forge, this book is a bellows of inspiration. 

First You Write a Sentence will forever sit on my bookshelf reminding me to pick up my hammer and smithy words together with the most important ingredient; joy. After multiple reads and listens, I always take something new away. 

The Audible audiobook narrated by Roy McMillan is particularly easy to listen to (Penguin). This ease of listening is maintained even while the content finds uphill sections on the journey through the, usually difficult to navigate, terrain of grammar.
The prose begins with a view of the valley you are going to travel across, complete with morning mist and promises of secret places revealed. A gentle downhill follows, taking you deeper into the craft of writing through Moran's unique perspective. You can hear the smiling of his eyes while you are led deeper into the the woods. Many have walked here before but not this way. Finally, like on any good journey, you are rewarded with a climb and a view. Looking back from where you started with new knowledge and perspective. 
The climb required some effort in parts but the rewards are obvious. 

I would highly recommend this book. Read it, listen to it and give it away as a gift. It will be a journey you take time and again. 

Roland Sivar


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