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booksaremypeople's review
5.0
As a writer and writing instructor I was thrilled to read Bell’s methods for moving through three drafts of a novel. To be honest, I highlighted so much of this advanced review copy that I’m going to have to go out and purchase a hard copy. If you’re a writer looking to maximize and economize you’re writing time; this is a book you are going to want to own. I won’t get into the specifics of Bell’s approach to his three drafts, (no spoilers here!) but I will say, they felt simultaneously radical and obvious. I love how Bell uses so many outside literary sources and advice from writers and I will definitely be visiting all of the works cited as a means to further my knowledge of creative writing. The name of the game is to lee[ moving forward and Bell has successfully motivated me to keep doing so. Thank you so Soho Press and NetGalley for the advanced review copy. Hear more about this book on my book recommendation podcast, Books Are My People.
ianthereader0's review
Refuse to be Done / Matt Bell
I don’t really feel comfortable giving this book a star rating, as I feel that to some this book could be incredibly insightful and impactful. However, for me, it was not.
Refuse to be Done, ironically, is written by an author and professor at the university where I completed my English Degree. The fact that I never took one of his classes is somewhat surprising, but I assume many of his teachings can be found in this book.
In this book, Bell details his process for writing a novel- taking it from first idea to final draft. While there were some tidbits of information that I gleaned from this and find useful, I feel like the approach to writing that I take is vastly different. I don’t think either is necessarily the “right” way, but unfortunately hearing his method just stressed me out. Which sucks, because I really could have used a boost of inspiration to get through me rewrites for my novel.
I don’t really feel comfortable giving this book a star rating, as I feel that to some this book could be incredibly insightful and impactful. However, for me, it was not.
Refuse to be Done, ironically, is written by an author and professor at the university where I completed my English Degree. The fact that I never took one of his classes is somewhat surprising, but I assume many of his teachings can be found in this book.
In this book, Bell details his process for writing a novel- taking it from first idea to final draft. While there were some tidbits of information that I gleaned from this and find useful, I feel like the approach to writing that I take is vastly different. I don’t think either is necessarily the “right” way, but unfortunately hearing his method just stressed me out. Which sucks, because I really could have used a boost of inspiration to get through me rewrites for my novel.
jenwoodrum's review
5.0
Super helpful book with a lot of tangible ideas that I'm already putting into practice.
mwbuell's review
5.0
This is THE revision book. It was so concrete, so many actionable ideas about what to revise in your book and how.
Have a feeling I will be returning to this one… frequently.
Have a feeling I will be returning to this one… frequently.
davenash's review
5.0
Loaded with great advice.
The concept of a generative first draft and all the tips and tricks to pull it off was most helpful
The main idea of that the second draft is a true rewrite not revision not copy paste, when in doubt rewrite,is probably more helpful.
The third draft section has a lot a basic writing advice. The Highlights - explanation, backstory, weakest sentence, strongest sentences, where are moved is probably what’s most novel about that section.
The concept of a generative first draft and all the tips and tricks to pull it off was most helpful
The main idea of that the second draft is a true rewrite not revision not copy paste, when in doubt rewrite,is probably more helpful.
The third draft section has a lot a basic writing advice. The Highlights - explanation, backstory, weakest sentence, strongest sentences, where are moved is probably what’s most novel about that section.
eveningreader's review
5.0
This is a really fantastic book that gathers a lot of advice about writing and revising. I'm sort of cheating by saying I finished it. I haven't read the chapters on publishing because I'm not there yet, and I don't want to distract myself. Maybe you know what I mean? Like, when you're totally out of shape and you want to start running and then you find yourself looking at what it takes to qualify for the NYC Marathon? Like that. I'll review those chapters when I get there, but the first two-thirds of the book are five-star worthy.
lkmreads's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Pretty great book. It has a lot of good advice, although more of general revision than plot holes and developmental edits.
It's split in three parts, each of which he refers to as a draft, but I would definitely say the process is NOT three-draft long. Particularly what he describes as the first draft. The first "draft" you might want to skip if you're an outliner though, as he seems to be a pure pantser and he approaches the entire first draft writing as such. You'll find that part much more useful as a pantser.
It's split in three parts, each of which he refers to as a draft, but I would definitely say the process is NOT three-draft long. Particularly what he describes as the first draft. The first "draft" you might want to skip if you're an outliner though, as he seems to be a pure pantser and he approaches the entire first draft writing as such. You'll find that part much more useful as a pantser.