Review for The Linchpin Writer by John Matthew Fox

Every reader picks up a book for their own reasons. For me, if I choose to read nonfiction, I’m largely looking to either be inspired or to learn something new. With The Linchpin Writer by John Matthew Fox, I am happy to say I experienced both.

Borrowing the concept of a linchpin, or the thing that holds everything else together, Fox focuses on those emotional anchor points that keep a reader from putting a book down. Every chapter highlights a different type of linchpin or section of a story. From first lines all the way to last ones, every part is covered. What truly sets The Linchpin Writer apart from other books I’ve read on writing though boils down to three main things: actualization, relevance, and tone.

Every chapter ends with an action step in the form of a challenge for you as a writer as well as an avenue for finding extra information on the topic. Yes, that information is from Fox’s own website, but it’s done in such a way that doesn’t feel self-aggrandizing. And having been on that site to look around a bit, there truly is a wealth of knowledge to be found there.

I blame the author for why my reading list has suddenly doubled almost. Instead of pulling examples from classic literature or what seems to be a shortlist I’ve seen referenced in other works, the quotes used come from so many genres and are, for the most part, relatively recent. These samples don’t just represent great descriptions or first lines as the case may be in certain sections. They reiterate the overarching point: linchpin moments in novels are important. Without the full context of the rest of the stories they were pulled from or the blurb on the cover, I felt compelled as a reader to add quite a few titles to the aforementioned list because of those linchpins.

The tone of the writing is both conversational and engaging. Personal anecdotes connect and support the various points the author makes without ever feeling like too much. Fox often reminds me of a coach with the approach he takes, inspiring other writers by sharing both successes and failures. He never diminishes the sheer effort that good writing takes, but he does offer strategies that can help hone effort toward something substantial.

I recommend The Linchpin Writer to anyone interested in making sure what they write packs an emotional punch. Readers won’t always remember every point of a plot or every action a character takes. But almost everyone will remember how a piece of writing makes them feel.

The Linchpin Writer is available to buy on Amazon, or you can find out more about the author and their other works at their website.