Honing My Writing: A Book Review of Write Here Write Now by AA Patawaran

Being a writer in this new age of artificial intelligence has many benefits and perhaps even more disadvantages. I remember that in 2023, I wrote a blog entitled AI Stole My Creativity because I had become too dependent on ChatGPT and other AI writing tools. I could barely finish a paragraph without them.

Using AI to write an entire piece is frowned upon by many writers, and it doesn’t sit well with me either. But what can you do when most clients prioritize speed and quantity over quality? I’m only human, after all, and at that time, as a newbie, the most I could create was one article per week.

It was then that the idea of honing my writing and finding my style became firmly rooted in me. I sought books that could help solidify my foundation in writing and improve my skills. This search led me to Write Here Write Now by AA Patawaran. I admit this book sat on my shelf for almost a year before I picked it up, and when I finally read it, I thought, “Why didn’t I read this sooner?”

About The Book And Its Author

Write Here Write Now: Standing at Attention Before My Imaginary Style Dictator is written by AA Patawaran, a Filipino writer and editor for publications such as Lifestyle Asia, Manila Bulletin, and Manila Standard.

The book covers basic grammar rules, sentence construction, and more complex topics such as how to start writing from a blank page and find your writing voice, plus a myriad of advice on problems you think only you encounter as a writer. It’s all here. To put it simply, it’s a guidebook packed with real stories and mini exercises you can do every day to help you become a better writer.

The title Write Here Write Now is very fitting, as one of the book’s main points is to practice wherever you are and with whatever you have—just write here and now.

One Story That Stuck With Me

The story that resonated with me the most isn’t from the chapters but from the introduction. The copy I bought was a special edition, and AA Patawaran noted that at the time of writing, Instagram had just been launched. At that time, publications preferred to limit word counts and allot more space for images. He shared that he was in a rut, wondering how someone used to writing essays and long prose could comply with the demands of people who didn’t want to read more than two sentences.

We are now in the same era. Social media is a basic part of life, and AI is the new Instagram we have to overcome. Blogs, articles, and even novels can now be written for you. What will set you apart from those who use AI? How can you compete? How can you find your own style and voice and not get drowned out by AI-generated content? The answers are all here in the book.

When I was reading the introduction, a fire lit inside me, and I wanted to finish the book in one sitting. I did not, but throughout the book, I gained a new perspective. I felt refreshed every time I read the paragraphs AA Patawaran had woven together. I can liken the feeling to an orchestra playing while the conductor waves his baton, or a violinist so engrossed in his instrument that he can’t stop playing The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi.

One Thing I Want To Unlearn

One thing I want to unlearn after reading the book is my tendency to dilute the strength of my writing with adjectives and adverbs. These modifiers are there to help describe nouns and verbs, but they should be used sparingly. AA Patawaran noted that it’s best to find stronger nouns and verbs instead to bring more power to your prose.

I admit I fall into using modifiers often, but the exercise in the book has helped me become more aware of how I choose my words. Here’s what I wrote as an example: “The scent of camellias adorning the table will remind you of cinnamon rolls.”

It felt unusual at first, but with practice, it increases the impact of my words and lessens the dilution of the meaning I want to convey.

One Thing That I’m Most Grateful For

I’m most grateful to AA Patawaran for deciding to write this book. Write Here Write Now has brought back the spark of writing for myself, not just for clients. The passion I once had was resurrected, and I have renewed motivation to write more short stories, poems, and anecdotes. Granted, my writing is far from perfect or publication-worthy, but I’m glad I get to practice it more and share the results of this passion project.

Reading Write Here Write Now also inspired me to restructure how I manage The Cozy Writer. Instead of solely focusing my blog on the how-tos of becoming a freelance writer, it has become a space for publishing my work. This step helps me become more accountable in improving myself, with the hope that one day I will develop a solid writing style and voice.

Book Summary

Who is this book for? Literally anyone! If you want to write fiction, poems, short stories, or become a freelance writer or journalist, or even if you just want to write as a hobby, this is definitely for you.

What if you have little to no interest in words and writing? Not a problem at all! You don’t have to love writing to read this book, as it helps improve your foundation, even if all the writing you do is respond to work emails or send texts to clients. I think the only requirement is curiosity about words and literature.

Write Here Write Now is very helpful in honing your writing, whether you are a beginner or an expert. You may find a new perspective or refresh your love for words and books, just as it did for me.

One Action I’ll Take After Reading

After reading Write Here Write Now, I want to write at least one piece per week, which is a tall order for me because I already write for work. Sometimes it’s harder to write for yourself because I feel my brain has been drained of all its creative juices, but it’s a challenge I’d love to take on. So I’ll be posting here more often! 🙂

Have you read this book? What’s your take?