Proving again the world’s gone completely mad, the editors of the New Writer’s Handbook - a collection of essays by writers for writers - asked to include a Copywriter Underground blog piece in their latest collection (Volume 2).

The piece spoke to the power of the parenthetical statement. English teachers largely hate it. Bad writers use it as a crutch. But - used properly - it creates a sense of intimacy with the reader.

In fact, it’s become a favorite tool - not in my “formal” copywriting efforts, but in my engagement marketing projects (which consume more of my time every day).

From my article:

In skilled hands, a parenthetical statement will help bridge the gap between writer and reader, puncturing the invisible barrier between the two. (See what I mean?)

They give you the ability to step out of the copy and into the reader’s space. You can even share what feels like a private joke (just don’t tell anyone else!), transforming your reader from skeptic to confidant.

I also described my five favorite uses of parentheses:

• The Reinforcer
• The Action Picture
• The Humorous Aside
• Personal Call to Action
• Emphasis

To read more about them, you’ll have to read the post itself.

Or buy the book.

Well, Should You Buy the Book?

I admit to some skepticism when first contacted by the book’s editor. After all, who would buy a collection of essays about writing, most of which can already be found on the Intertubes for free?

After reading the finished product, I’d have to say I’m wrong.

In an age of hyper-specialization - where niches are mercilessly targeted and “content producers” are urged to never set foot outside their Google-driven boundaries - an eclectic collection of essays about writing fires the imagination, and provides a respite from what I’ll cavalierly describe as the 140-character rat race.

From the publishers:

With new contributors, ranging from bestselling “queen of medical thrillers” Tess Gerritsen to Newbery Medal winner Lois Lowry, the strength of Volume 2 lies with its eclecticism: articles move from collaborative advice to teaching writing in elementary schools — and even includes physical stretches for those spending too much time sitting in front of a screen.

The content features a preface by Ted Kooser, US Poet Laureate from 2004-06, and appearances by literary bloggers, independent publishers, agents, journalists and a writer who—believe it or not—received nearly 500 rejection notices before finally striking success.

Here’s a quote from the editor:

The perfect Handbook user is the writer who wants to improve his or her writing skills, in small but practical ways. Not all at once, but in little chunks, with short readings, a couple of pages at a time.

While most is most useful to emerging writers, I picked pieces I thought would be thought-provoking, practical, and entertaining to experienced pros.

As a long-time editor of writing guides, I know that real learning happens in small bits, here and there.

Of course, every book of essays culled from the different sources would necessarily suffer a certain lack of continuity. The Writer’s Handbook is no exception.

And yes - without pointing a finger - I’d say blogging’s tendency to reward speed and quantity over quality sometimes rears its head in the essays found in this book, though most of the essays are excellent.

As someone who believes writing serves a purpose beyond driving SEO traffic, I think the New Writer’s Handbook is excellent nightstand material. Read “Diary of a Novel” by Will Weaver at night, and you’ll wake up the next morning with a stronger appreciation for what novel writers suffer for their craft. (No, I don’t have a financial interest in the book, and I’m not getting paid for this review).

It’s probable that young copywriters have never felt more pressure to produce words than they do today, yet an excessively narrow, nose-to-the-grindstone perspective is not a prescription for long-term survival. Widening our horizons a bit can’t hurt, and reading a book like this is one good way to accomplish that.

Keep writing, Tom Chandler.

new writers handbook, writing, copywriting, article writing, hey mom look

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