Reviews - Never Say You Can't Survive: How to Get Through Hard Times by Making Up Stories

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221 reviews for:

Never Say You Can't Survive: How to Get Through Hard Times by Making Up Stories

Lots of great writing advice in this. And I appreciated that she didn’t resort to the usual cliches that are always trotted out about writing. Instead, she pushes back against those cliches and examines their origins. This made me want to get back to working on my long gestating first novel. Now to actually find the time to do that!

eradikatie's review against another edition

4.5

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

scrooge3's review against another edition

4.0

2022 Hugo Award winner - Best Related Work

This is a very clear and concise book about writing from which I think a writer at any level will be able to glean useful information. Anders includes a lot of personal examples to help illustrate her ideas. There are also a number of writing exercises to promote one's imagination. As someone who does a lot of narrative improv, I found most of the suggestions are applicable to that art form, too.

bobderosawriter's review against another edition

4.0

Truly a wonderful book about the craft of being a writer mixed with some sound advice about how that craft can help you make it through this crazy timeline we're in. Highly recommended for artists both new and at it for a while.

melladne's review against another edition

2.0

The tips aren't anything you haven't seen before, if you read a lot of these. Also I think I'd have gotten much more out of it if I were writing sci-fi, you know, this book is very that.

britt_brooke's review against another edition

4.0

Anders reminds us how creativity can provide a respite during the worst of times. And these times are pretty damned awful. From big themes to the nuts and bolts of putting pen to paper, this guide will encourage you to try, or at least think, and that’s what matters. It just made me feel good, ya know? Now, I need to try some of her fiction!

detailsandtales's review against another edition

5.0

This book presents itself as a how-to guide for writing in tough times and using writing to get through tough times, but overall, I came away from it feeling like I'd just listened to an excellent book on the craft of writing. I need to go back and read it now so I can take notes on some of Anders' suggestions. An excellent book that's easy to listen to and full of great advice