A memoir written in the form of essays, [b:Zen in the Art of Writing|103761|Zen in the Art of Writing|Ray Bradbury|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436734917l/103761._SY75_.jpg|2183601] mainly pertains to Bradbury's personal experiences with the writing process. It is not a "how-to" guide for beginning or intermediate writers, hoping to improve their craft, though Bradbury does toss in a few general tips. This wasn't really what I was expecting from the book but in all fairness, I didn't bother to read the synopsis before starting to read it.

The title, Bradbury states, was selected primarily for its "shock value." (Well done! It got my attention.) There are some references to Zen philosophy interspersed throughout the book, most notably the following passage:

Now that I have you thoroughly confused, let me pause to hear your own dismayed cry. Impossible! you say. How can you work and relax? How can you create and not be a nervous wreck? It can be done. It is done, every day of every week of every year. Athletes do it. Painters do it. Mountain climbers do it. Zen Buddhists with their little bows and arrows do it. Even I can do it.

I found some of the essays to be interesting, others boring and a few sounded overly boastful. There are major spoilers for Bradbury's other works, especially [b:Farenheit 451|56302573|Farenheit 451|Ray Bradbury|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1608059811l/56302573._SY75_.jpg|1272463], which might be worthwhile to keep in mind before reading this book.

Recommended for fans of Bradbury's sci-fi novels. This is a good choice to read before bed, since the chapters are short. Most of the essays are easy to process; nothing too deep here.

Final rating: 3 stars
Original year of publication: 1973 ( )

Interesting set of essays with the best being the titular piece. ( )

Brilliant advice on drawing on the subconscious to create art. ( )

In this collection of essays, Ray Bradbury provides advice for writers and comments on his prolific career. He encourages writers to look to unusual places for inspiration. Read poetry. Visit art galleries or museums. Keep lists and revisit them regularly, even years later. Follow your passion. Do not write for reasons of “making it big” or appealing to current fads or capturing a commercial market. Write daily. Write one story per week and keep at it. He wrote 1,000 words per day every day. Written in his lyrical style, Bradbury’s enthusiasm for writing leaps off the page. It is more inspirational than instructional. Definitely worthwhile for those who enjoy reading about writing. ( )

This book by Ray Bradbury is fabulous.

You won't find the traditional lessons on writing in the book. The essays point you toward an approach to writing. If you use the lessons well, your writing will improve, and you will discover much joy in the process.

My advice is this: read the book, and imbibe the lessons. But keep another book by your side, on the technical aspects of writing.

This book will give you much joy, and you will be able to apply the lessons in the book to other, creative, aspects of your life. ( )