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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
I desire to try and write a book, a novel which would reflect my life and experience. But my desire dies there because I don't know how to turn my experience into a story. Good writers are also active readers, or so I heard, so I read instead as I push off my desire for another day. I have read several of Ruta Sepetys books and have enjoyed them a lot. So imagine my delight when I saw she wrote a book about writing, and not just any book about writing but how to take your own experiences and use them as fuel for writing your own story. Exactly the question I wanted answered and written by an author I enjoy! Sometimes you stumble across the right book at the right time. That is what this book was for me.
Sepetys book had flavors and rhythm of Stephen King's book "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft". Both Sepetys and King teach the reader about how to write by showing, not telling. I appreciated how Sepetys' book was not a bit list of inspirational quotes or facts to follow, but instead she used her own life, her own experiences and memories, and weaved them into stories within each chapter.
The overall structure and form of the book is organized into topics about writing: plot, character development, voice, perspective, setting, dialogue, research, revision and input. But Sepetys expounds on each of those elements by weaving together her own memories in order to show the reader how to write a story.
I found myself getting lost in the story, enjoying the peek into Sepetys' life and experiences. Her book gave me hope and encouragement to sit down and write my own story. Helpful tidbits is at the end of each chapter she gives you a recap in bullet point form of the elements of writing she showed you from that chapter. This section will be a helpful to reference later when I want to go back and remember elements she taught. She also ends each section with writing prompts to help you practice the aspect she taught on that chapter.
Content Considerations for the homeschool mom (since I homeschool and sometimes my mom friends read my reviews), although I immensely enjoyed this book and am motivated to now share my own story, I will give the heads up for the mom who might want to share this book with their eager child, Sepetys writes to the adult reader, as such some of her examples are from her life as a grown adult and living in the world. Although tastefully done and not inappropriate, there might be a passing mention of certain topics here or there of things that you wouldn't normally find in a child's book (mention of drinking, bars, drunkenness, sleeping with men.) That said I myself would let my teenage children read this book, if they were interested in the become a writer, because we have already discussed these adult things together as a family and they would know how to receive it in context.
Sepetys book had flavors and rhythm of Stephen King's book "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft". Both Sepetys and King teach the reader about how to write by showing, not telling. I appreciated how Sepetys' book was not a bit list of inspirational quotes or facts to follow, but instead she used her own life, her own experiences and memories, and weaved them into stories within each chapter.
The overall structure and form of the book is organized into topics about writing: plot, character development, voice, perspective, setting, dialogue, research, revision and input. But Sepetys expounds on each of those elements by weaving together her own memories in order to show the reader how to write a story.
I found myself getting lost in the story, enjoying the peek into Sepetys' life and experiences. Her book gave me hope and encouragement to sit down and write my own story. Helpful tidbits is at the end of each chapter she gives you a recap in bullet point form of the elements of writing she showed you from that chapter. This section will be a helpful to reference later when I want to go back and remember elements she taught. She also ends each section with writing prompts to help you practice the aspect she taught on that chapter.
Content Considerations for the homeschool mom (since I homeschool and sometimes my mom friends read my reviews), although I immensely enjoyed this book and am motivated to now share my own story, I will give the heads up for the mom who might want to share this book with their eager child, Sepetys writes to the adult reader, as such some of her examples are from her life as a grown adult and living in the world. Although tastefully done and not inappropriate, there might be a passing mention of certain topics here or there of things that you wouldn't normally find in a child's book (mention of drinking, bars, drunkenness, sleeping with men.) That said I myself would let my teenage children read this book, if they were interested in the become a writer, because we have already discussed these adult things together as a family and they would know how to receive it in context.
This was fine. I read it for a grad school assignment, not out of any personal interest. I can see it being valuable to aspiring writers - it's chock full of advice, examples, and writing/research prompts. I appreciated the focus on recalling personal memory and experience to transform your writing into something more detailed and authentic. At the end of the day, though, it's not for me.
Ruta Sepetys’ life sounds fake - what a rich collection of memory she has! This was really, really good and very helpful in thinking about specifics in regards to the writing process.
This is delightful! I loved the memoir mixed with writing tips from a hugely successful YA author. Would be a perfect fit for teens wanting to write creatively.
funny
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inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
hopeful
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As an instructive guide to writing, this was a beautifully tailored tool. With a blend of narrative and prompts, it gave me great insight and encouragement.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
My writer's block has been brutal lately, and I think this book is going to be what helps get me out of it. "You: The Story" is the perfect combination of poignant anecdotes from throughout Ruta Sepetys' life and guidance on how to use your own memories as the building blocks for good stories. Sepetys is one of my all-time favorite authors, and this guide to writing just further cements why <3
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced