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allisonjpmiller's review
5.0
OK, everyone's right about this one—it wins the award for most useful craft book I've ever read. After fighting my way through so many drafts that have only ever added up to "the novel I didn't want to write," I feel armed and dangerous now. (All right, I probably also feel that way because five straight years of academic writing tend to make any kind of creative work feel like rebellion. You mean I get to write FOR FUN AGAIN? For myself?) I appreciate Bell's focus on enjoying the process rather than fixating on the end result, as I've pretty much decided at this point that if I can't do the former, the latter ain't ever gonna be worth it.
meixiaotian's review
5.0
For once, a craft book that doesn’t just regurgitate the same things everyone else has already said! This is a collection of techniques, trick, and advice that Bell uses to get from blank page to polished draft, presented without fluff or judgment on other strategies. I got this from the library but I think I’ll buy a copy for myself, to reference in the future.
pastryghost's review
5.0
Super helpful, in-depth, and upbeat! Bell walks you through all the steps from motivation during a first draft, to tips on how and what to revise in a final draft — the specifics are helpful and thorough, yet also suitable for any genre.
The author’s voice is my favorite part of this book. It is instructional, but incredibly kind and affirmative, giving the reader a sense of camaraderie. Celebrate your wins!! We can do this!!!
I put this right up there with my other favorite writing books: Save The Cat Writes A Novel by Jessica Brody, and Brave The Page by Rebecca Stern & Grant Faulkner.
The author’s voice is my favorite part of this book. It is instructional, but incredibly kind and affirmative, giving the reader a sense of camaraderie. Celebrate your wins!! We can do this!!!
I put this right up there with my other favorite writing books: Save The Cat Writes A Novel by Jessica Brody, and Brave The Page by Rebecca Stern & Grant Faulkner.
smay's review
4.5
Absolutely the no 1 book I'd recommend if you're looking for practical advice on writing. Will leave this on my desk so it's always at hand.
margeryb's review
5.0
Where has this writing book been all my life?
Matt Bell's process of writing completely vibes with my style in a world where a lot of writing books are very structural when I am more exploratory in my drafting. He put words to things I had been doing that I didn't know had terms for them, and very succinctly gave actionable steps for three drafts of a novel.
Borrowed it from the library. I'm going to have to buy a copy.
Matt Bell's process of writing completely vibes with my style in a world where a lot of writing books are very structural when I am more exploratory in my drafting. He put words to things I had been doing that I didn't know had terms for them, and very succinctly gave actionable steps for three drafts of a novel.
Borrowed it from the library. I'm going to have to buy a copy.
pixi_reads's review against another edition
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
I found some of the information helpful, but overall not much. I enjoyed the way the information was presented though.