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witzelsucht's review against another edition
2.0
The content about developing a character-driven story is good and interesting. The "brain science" is a barely-there gimmick. The author's quippy writing and lengthy case study of her friend's inane dognapping novel get old very quickly. A mixed bag to be taken with a pinch of salt, like all writing books.
henrismum's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.25
Take away: I thought this book was about creativity and writing, but it wasn't. The author references some studies about brain science and what readers enjoy, but beyond that, this is a "how to write" book in the vein of Save the Cat. It wasn't bad; just not what I expected. The exercises were good and would be useful if I took the time to do them.
Narration: Brittany Pressley - I enjoy her due to her work with the Jaine Austen mystery series.
Normal Speed - Accelerated Speed (1.1 to 1.25)
New - Second - Third - Committed
Series - Non Series - Non-Fiction - Author
Listening to this book was a chore.
I'm glad I listened to this book.
I didn't want this book to end.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
Average, but better than anything I've written.
Narration: Brittany Pressley - I enjoy her due to her work with the Jaine Austen mystery series.
Listening to this book was a chore.
I'm glad I listened to this book.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
nicovreeland's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best writing books I’ve read in the past year, and one of the most practical I’ve ever read. It has an extremely clear and concrete philosophy and examples that are actually good and helpful. Of course, I didn’t agree with everything in this book, but I found it especially helpful in the areas of constructing character arcs and increasing/improving causal links between scenes. I also liked the concrete methods used; I think the more concrete writing advice is, the easier it is to accept, reject or adapt.
wafflefonfabre's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars.
This book is hard to review because while I liked some of the writing help. I also found this author obnoxious. This should really be called: useful writing advice from a know it all "I'm not like those other author's" person. This author spends 3 chapters debunking other peoples writing styles or advice. Debunking Pantser's and plotters even existing while also saying a messy first draft is a myth. The problem is she doesn't have strong points its more like she's dragging or discrediting other methods to make hers seem better. Which is especially funny when you realize toward the end she's a plotter, she likes planning a lot of her story before writing and having every scene writing on cards. But that's enough focus on this author.
The exercises or questions themselves are the most part good starts. I don't like some of them but by using her staring question it did get me thinking and starting to really flesh out my Main character and her arc. I think she spends a little too much time making you think about the backstory and how it relates to protagonist current situation since not every story has a situation caused by the protagonist's lie or flaws. Sometimes its a hurricane and trying to get a flawed person to survive that.
But I find her very specific questions to be good. Depending on your writing method, scene cards may not useful but I think going through and deeply considering your main character is very helpful even if your a pantster or tweener. There useful things to think about even if they don't always work with your story.
I would recommenced this book to writers with caveat of you should skim through or just skip the first three chapters and really focus on the end of each chapter where the exercise is explained or given examples of. Everything else is the author dropping there strange opinions or spending way to long explaining simple concepts. Due to how long she spends waxing and wasting I can't give it more stars but the exercises are good so 3.5 it is.
This book is hard to review because while I liked some of the writing help. I also found this author obnoxious. This should really be called: useful writing advice from a know it all "I'm not like those other author's" person. This author spends 3 chapters debunking other peoples writing styles or advice. Debunking Pantser's and plotters even existing while also saying a messy first draft is a myth. The problem is she doesn't have strong points its more like she's dragging or discrediting other methods to make hers seem better. Which is especially funny when you realize toward the end she's a plotter, she likes planning a lot of her story before writing and having every scene writing on cards. But that's enough focus on this author.
The exercises or questions themselves are the most part good starts. I don't like some of them but by using her staring question it did get me thinking and starting to really flesh out my Main character and her arc. I think she spends a little too much time making you think about the backstory and how it relates to protagonist current situation since not every story has a situation caused by the protagonist's lie or flaws. Sometimes its a hurricane and trying to get a flawed person to survive that.
But I find her very specific questions to be good. Depending on your writing method, scene cards may not useful but I think going through and deeply considering your main character is very helpful even if your a pantster or tweener. There useful things to think about even if they don't always work with your story.
I would recommenced this book to writers with caveat of you should skim through or just skip the first three chapters and really focus on the end of each chapter where the exercise is explained or given examples of. Everything else is the author dropping there strange opinions or spending way to long explaining simple concepts. Due to how long she spends waxing and wasting I can't give it more stars but the exercises are good so 3.5 it is.
nettles's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
I’ve been in a plotting slump for my writing, and this book helped me pinpoint exactly what wasn’t working with my story. It took awhile to get to the “how to” section that I got the most out of, and there we jokes and comments from the author that I felt dragged the book down, but it was mostly solid advice regardless
I’ve been in a plotting slump for my writing, and this book helped me pinpoint exactly what wasn’t working with my story. It took awhile to get to the “how to” section that I got the most out of, and there we jokes and comments from the author that I felt dragged the book down, but it was mostly solid advice regardless
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Story Genius is all about how character drives your story. This book isn't just theoretical; it gives you step-by-step instructions for how to create backstory and understand your characters' motivations. Following this blueprint will give you a story that resonates with readers because they will be invested in your characters. I feel like going through the exercises has helped me get to know my main characters better, even if every scene I wrote doesn't make it into my book. I do think that the structure that Cron suggests might not 100% work for every book out there (she sort of suggests that it's the only way, but I don't completely agree with that---there have certainly been wonderful and successful books that don't completely follow her formula). Like all books on the craft of writing, this will probably resonate with some people and not with others, but for me, it was very helpful and gave me something solid to work off of.
Story Genius is all about how character drives your story. This book isn't just theoretical; it gives you step-by-step instructions for how to create backstory and understand your characters' motivations. Following this blueprint will give you a story that resonates with readers because they will be invested in your characters. I feel like going through the exercises has helped me get to know my main characters better, even if every scene I wrote doesn't make it into my book. I do think that the structure that Cron suggests might not 100% work for every book out there (she sort of suggests that it's the only way, but I don't completely agree with that---there have certainly been wonderful and successful books that don't completely follow her formula). Like all books on the craft of writing, this will probably resonate with some people and not with others, but for me, it was very helpful and gave me something solid to work off of.
maryvarn's review against another edition
I don't have any great ambitions to write a novel. Maybe someday? But I tinker with graphic novel ideas and films. This opened my eyes to why a graphic novel idea I've been developing was falling flat. And like many books I read about writing, it really has me paying attention to the fiction I consume, in all forms, and dissecting it more than ever. That may sound terrible, but I really enjoy it.
This book has detailed instructions on how to go about writing a novel. That's not for everyone, but I appreciate the concrete advice.
This book has detailed instructions on how to go about writing a novel. That's not for everyone, but I appreciate the concrete advice.