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nvblue's review against another edition
2.0
I've tried to use this book as a guide/course numerous times, each time to no avail. Something about the book and the way the exercises are done drives me towards a depression that sinks my desire to write anything.
zhelana's review against another edition
3.0
I think I'm getting to a point with all these creative writing workshop type books where nothing new can be said. Everyone is repeating the same advice as the last 10 authors I read. Perhaps it is time to stop reading writers workshop type books at least for a while. That said, the first several chapters of this book were good, but it had diminishing goodness as it went on. The writing in the chapters seemed repetitive from other books I've read, but there were some good (and some really good in the first chapters) exercises that the author came up with. I probably could have avoided reading the book and just done the writing exercises and come away with just as much from this book. Anyway, I'll give it 3 stars for the writing exercises even though the text wasn't that great. I think maybe I'm going to read a book about a different art instead of writing now.
mzjai117's review against another edition
5.0
Invaluable! As a writer this book has truly helped me. The points in the book itself have given me enough help and understanding in my writing to push forward with my current projects. If you're a brand new writer, read this book. It has several exercises in every chapter that will start you on your writing journey. Even if you currently don't have a project one of the prompts with spark an idea. I skipped around with the chapters and read through the ones that I personally needed help with. For instance, POV and revision. This book is literally a workshop. It's highly recommended.
ken_bookhermit's review against another edition
3.0
My reading this was primarily an exercise in defamiliarization and to see examples for description, setting-building, etc. in other novels and to build up my ever-growing pile of books to read. This text is great too because it comes with writing exercises. Unfortunately at most, the advice given towards Pacing is minimal, and since I am still Pacing's bitch, guess I'll still have to struggle in working through it.
adrianasturalvarez's review against another edition
3.0
Okay okay so I always complain about books on writing yet I am constantly reading books on writing either for classes or as craft markers for my own practice. This one was actually pretty good. First of all, its written by an accomplished author (that's crucial for me at this point). Secondly, it presents itself as a textbook. One of the aspects of the "how to write..." genre that I can't stand is the veiled arrogance behind most of those books. The posture tends to be, "well you are actually a perfectly great writer and here are some tips to get past those pesky gatekeepers who need to be tricked into publishing your already great, flawless writing." At least a textbook comes from the perspective that writing is a craft to be worked on and improved. I'll stick with that sort of optimism carried over: good work gets published; no one is tricking anyone with secret codes and methods.
Anyway, Novakovich is an interesting writer and though I disagreed with his opinions at times he actually invites this and by no means considers his own word final. All in all this was a useful overview of the main building blocks of fiction and the included anthology of stories were useful and interesting.
Anyway, Novakovich is an interesting writer and though I disagreed with his opinions at times he actually invites this and by no means considers his own word final. All in all this was a useful overview of the main building blocks of fiction and the included anthology of stories were useful and interesting.
paperbackstash's review against another edition
4.0
A great source for fiction writers, although it falls short in some areas. Each section begins with a lecture of some sort, with examples and thoughts, then numerous assignments.
It's divided into Sources of Fiction, Setting, Character, Plot, Point of View, Dialogue and Scenes, Beginnings and Endings, Description and Word Choice, Voice, then Revision.
The chapter on gathering story ideas is pretty generic but useful in a broad way. He lists some general things to trigger your thinking, like childhood, friends, stories you hear, but that's as far as it goes.
Setting is divided into many sections, all useful, very informative, alive with detail. If you had a problem with setting before, this is up your alley.
The character section discusses round characters, their mannerisms, appearance, etc. It has useful comments but again is all general.
Plot is a great chapter - he discusses character conflict plots, non-confrontational plots, and combinations. He mentions a note card technique for generating plots but as before, it's more of an educational guide and not an inspirational one. I didn't find much useful advice for organizing or structuring a story.
His point of view is loaded with stuff I've never seen before; I consider this one of the best chapters the book offers.
The only problems I had was the guide was written in a sort of stuffy way at times. Also, many of the story examples used were not works I read, or have an interest in reading, more literary types work that you focus on in school. Because of this, it was a bit harder for me to get drawn into these sorts of examples.
Overall, though, it's a great guide for writing itself, not necessarily novel writing or short stories alone.
It's divided into Sources of Fiction, Setting, Character, Plot, Point of View, Dialogue and Scenes, Beginnings and Endings, Description and Word Choice, Voice, then Revision.
The chapter on gathering story ideas is pretty generic but useful in a broad way. He lists some general things to trigger your thinking, like childhood, friends, stories you hear, but that's as far as it goes.
Setting is divided into many sections, all useful, very informative, alive with detail. If you had a problem with setting before, this is up your alley.
The character section discusses round characters, their mannerisms, appearance, etc. It has useful comments but again is all general.
Plot is a great chapter - he discusses character conflict plots, non-confrontational plots, and combinations. He mentions a note card technique for generating plots but as before, it's more of an educational guide and not an inspirational one. I didn't find much useful advice for organizing or structuring a story.
His point of view is loaded with stuff I've never seen before; I consider this one of the best chapters the book offers.
The only problems I had was the guide was written in a sort of stuffy way at times. Also, many of the story examples used were not works I read, or have an interest in reading, more literary types work that you focus on in school. Because of this, it was a bit harder for me to get drawn into these sorts of examples.
Overall, though, it's a great guide for writing itself, not necessarily novel writing or short stories alone.
ipacho's review against another edition
4.0
Mi first source in learning how to write. Comprehensive and very illustrative.
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