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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Fantastic tips and exercises. Definitely going to be referring back to them.
This is the first of Mr. Bell's books that I read and will be reading more. A plethora of tip and tricks that no doubt even the seasoned writer will find useful. Recommended!
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Out of the Write Great Fiction series, this happens to be one of my favorites (after Description and Setting). I think the author does a great job of breaking down what a plot is and giving tools to improve the plot in one's story.
For anyone who wants to improve their writing, whether you are an aspiring writer, educator, or student, this book will be helpful in that journey.
For anyone who wants to improve their writing, whether you are an aspiring writer, educator, or student, this book will be helpful in that journey.
I write nonfiction, but I thought that checking if the grass is greener on the other side of the fence might help me in my endeavours. I wasn't disappointed. This is a very good book for anyone interested in serious writing. Obviously, the focus is on novel writing, but the advice on conflict, hook, tension, etc. could be applied anywhere. Great book.
I picked this book off a list of recommended books on writing. In fact it showed up on multiple lists. And I can see why. The book engages by leading one through the process of crafting a story, really thinking about it's purpose, how to map the pieces together, how to step back when overwhelmed or stagnant, and how to look at one's work critically. There are great tips, exercises, and guidance to not just write a story but truly craft something. I am glad I read it.
I'm not a new writer but this book presented some traditional ideas in a way that I've never seen and which resonated with me. I believe it will change my writing for the better.
Great overview of plot basics with some good examples and useful checklists. Didn't feel as inspired as I have with some other writing books, but some of this will find a place in my toolbox.
At this stage of first time novel writing, this is the business. Plenty in it for 'pantsers' but so much more for the planners and outliners of this world. Its all in there: character arcs, three act structures, monomyth, rising tension, conflict, ARM (action, reaction, more action), LOCK (Lead, Objective, Conflict, Knockout ending), scenes, etc. etc. All very accessible, all very practical. This is definitely my go to reference for the next few months (and maybe beyond). Already paid for itself many times over - another Barters bookshop, Alnwick, purchase.
I've been dipping in and out of books about writing forever, but this is one of the best.
James Scott Bell gets his messages across in a very straightforward way. The text is easy to understand and also to apply. I started to add sticky notes onto pages so that I could quickly return to sections of the book I found helpful. It's now full of these notes, plus I've highlighted different sentences too, something I never generally do. I've already started doing some of the practical exercises, and these have been helpful. When you work through the book, it almost feels like you have Mr Scott Bell sitting beside you explaining everything.
I honestly can't praise it enough. I've read lots of books on writing, and many of them are interesting and encouraging. This book, however, will be my writing bible, a place to return to again and again.
Not sure if it comes across, but I love this book. I'm going to be searching out more by this author.
James Scott Bell gets his messages across in a very straightforward way. The text is easy to understand and also to apply. I started to add sticky notes onto pages so that I could quickly return to sections of the book I found helpful. It's now full of these notes, plus I've highlighted different sentences too, something I never generally do. I've already started doing some of the practical exercises, and these have been helpful. When you work through the book, it almost feels like you have Mr Scott Bell sitting beside you explaining everything.
I honestly can't praise it enough. I've read lots of books on writing, and many of them are interesting and encouraging. This book, however, will be my writing bible, a place to return to again and again.
Not sure if it comes across, but I love this book. I'm going to be searching out more by this author.