Advanced maths has no practical use, and is understood by few. A symphony can be enjoyed, but created only by a genius. Good writing, however, can be written (and read) by anyone if we give it the gift of our time. Enter universally praised historian Professor Joe Moran. From the Bible and Shakespeare to Orwell and Diana Athill, First You Write a Sentence. shows us how the most ordinary words can be turned into verbal constellations, sharing:The tools of the trade; from typewriters to texting and the impact this has on the craftWriting and the senses; how to make the world visible and touchableHow to find the ideal word, build a sentence, and construct a paragraph.Good writing can ignite the hearts and minds of readers, help us notice the world better and live more meaningful lives. And it's a power we all can wield.