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boggremlin's review
2.0
A series of highly personal essays about how to write stories in difficult times. Anders has solid advice, but her prose style relies heavily on pop culture in a way that turns me off a bit.
If you've never read a guide to writing and you are seeking a queer approach to writing and worldbuilding methods, this would be a good place to start. If you have read more than one guide to writing, or you're not into the CW/YA as a genre/pop-inspired essays, you may feel ambivalent.
If you've never read a guide to writing and you are seeking a queer approach to writing and worldbuilding methods, this would be a good place to start. If you have read more than one guide to writing, or you're not into the CW/YA as a genre/pop-inspired essays, you may feel ambivalent.
shellbellbell's review
5.0
Disclaimers: I was given an advanced reading copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I also only write for fun, not professionally, and I've never read a book about about writing before so I can't really compare it to other books about writing.
That said, I think it was a great book on writing for me to start with. It's more than just some very helpful essays on how to create stories from one of my favorite authors, it also addresses why we should create stories, and how creating stories can help us get through hard times. It's part writing advice, part self help, part memoir. I already feel more inspired to create, and I feel like I have more tools at my disposal to do so.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys writing fiction, particularly if the events of 2020 made you feel like your writing didn't matter, that you should be writing something more "serious" to respond to the moment, or just sucked away all of your creative energy. Spoiler alert: write the stories that only you could write! Both you and the world may need it more than you realize.
That said, I think it was a great book on writing for me to start with. It's more than just some very helpful essays on how to create stories from one of my favorite authors, it also addresses why we should create stories, and how creating stories can help us get through hard times. It's part writing advice, part self help, part memoir. I already feel more inspired to create, and I feel like I have more tools at my disposal to do so.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys writing fiction, particularly if the events of 2020 made you feel like your writing didn't matter, that you should be writing something more "serious" to respond to the moment, or just sucked away all of your creative energy. Spoiler alert: write the stories that only you could write! Both you and the world may need it more than you realize.
blairconrad's review
4.0
A weak 4, but I did enjoy it, even though I'm not a writer (even aspiring). Ms. Anders's guidelines and tales were engaging and relatable. And I think a lot of the advice could be applied outside the world of writing.
eastofthesunwestofthemoon's review
4.0
4 stars. I thought this might be dull, but it was quite engaging. While it gives some good advice to writers, it's interesting to non-writer book lovers as well.
labricoleuse's review
I expected more about writing as a coping strategy and it’s largely very basic writing advice.
jrc2011's review
5.0
Charlie Jane Anders is insightful, inspiring, accessible and generous. The audio book is narrated by the author - which makes it really special. It's like an extended seminar with the author herself. She shares her feelings and experiences about writing books, her personal life and how to find your own voice. Charlie Jane talks about how to use your emotions to create stories that are vibrant and compelling.
Community and relationships are the secret to success in writing and in life -- without these things, people can't exist happily in fiction nor reality.
Balance is also important - Charlie Jane talks about not torturing or beating up your characters unnecessarily, but also don't go the opposite direction either. That's one of the things that has bothered me about some other books I've read -- characters are subjected to excessively unbelievable things, like it's not enough that you're in the middle of Nazi Germany, but you have to live with the most curable form of blindness for the rest of your life? WHY? Get the cataracts out.
Most importantly - practice writing, write down ideas, save images and dialogue - it's all building material for inspiration later.
She talks about reading slumps and creative blocks, when to listen to other people and when to go with your gut.
Honestly, I think a lot of what Charlie Jane describes can be applied to business writing as well. It's a book well worth re-reading, so I am returning this to the library and getting my own own copy for my library.
I REALLY enjoyed the discussions of how she originally conceived of characters and stories and changed them before publishing, especially having read those books already. It was very illuminating and enjoyable - and I agree with her decisions 100%.
Community and relationships are the secret to success in writing and in life -- without these things, people can't exist happily in fiction nor reality.
Balance is also important - Charlie Jane talks about not torturing or beating up your characters unnecessarily, but also don't go the opposite direction either. That's one of the things that has bothered me about some other books I've read -- characters are subjected to excessively unbelievable things, like it's not enough that you're in the middle of Nazi Germany, but you have to live with the most curable form of blindness for the rest of your life? WHY? Get the cataracts out.
Most importantly - practice writing, write down ideas, save images and dialogue - it's all building material for inspiration later.
She talks about reading slumps and creative blocks, when to listen to other people and when to go with your gut.
Honestly, I think a lot of what Charlie Jane describes can be applied to business writing as well. It's a book well worth re-reading, so I am returning this to the library and getting my own own copy for my library.
I REALLY enjoyed the discussions of how she originally conceived of characters and stories and changed them before publishing, especially having read those books already. It was very illuminating and enjoyable - and I agree with her decisions 100%.
hissingpotatoes's review against another edition
3.0
This series of essays focuses more on the "making up stories" than "getting through hard times," though the author's point about writing (and reading) being an act of resistance is well taken. The writing advice isn't anything I haven't heard before, but it covers a wide range of topics. The rapid-fire pace of each piece of advice makes this a quick read that offers writers lots to think about for their craft.
ekcd_'s review
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.0
I never read fiction twice
Cool idea, interesting beginning. Then it got insufferably condescending and sickly silly
Cool idea, interesting beginning. Then it got insufferably condescending and sickly silly