Good Writing by Neal Allen and Anne Lamott

Picture this: a rainy afternoon in the cove, a cup of tea steaming beside you, and a book that just might change the way you put words on a page. This is that book.

Thirty-six ways to turn a worthy sentence into a memorable one. Starting right where The Elements of Style leaves off, this lively guide can sharpen your novel, your essay, your blog post, your speech, or that work email you keep rewriting. The rules are simple to learn and work on just about any kind of writing.

What makes this one special? It’s a true literary duet. Each rule comes paired with two spirited essays. The first from Neal Allen, who honed these tips across his journalism and corporate careers. The second from his wife, Anne Lamott, the beloved, bestselling author of Bird by Bird and nineteen other books. They don’t always agree, and watching them gently spar is half the fun.

Some rules are foundational:

• Use strong verbs.
• Remove the boring stuff.
• Twist clichés.

Others are wonderfully subtle, like drawing on all five senses, or giving your sentence a proper finale. Along the way, you’ll find honest advice on finishing projects, trusting editors, and knowing exactly when to break the rules.

Whether you’re scribbling your first short story or polishing your tenth, this is the kind of warm, witty companion you’ll want close at hand.

Come browse the shelf, or let us tuck a copy into your bag for the walk home along the Marginal Way. We think you’ll love it.

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