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A review by holtfan
Dear Ally, How Do You Write a Book by Ally Carter
4.0
Rounding up for surprised expectations.
I honestly didn't think I'd finish this one. Ally Carter's writing struck me as...condescending. Written at teenagers rather than for them, if that makes sense. But either the writing grew on me or that's just Carter's style because by the end it didn't bug me as much.
Though written by a YA author with lots of snip-its from other YA authors, I found this book contained lots of good advice beyond the YA genre. I particularly appreciated the advice from authors other than Carter because they brought variety in both writing styles and life experience. And also, I love Shannon Hale and Sarah Rees Brennan and Marissa Meyer (to say nothing of the other dozen contributing authors) so I perked up whenever they chimed in.
It isn't the best book on writing ever but it is a practical starting point to get the creative juices flowing. I'd give a teenager a copy. Heck, I'll probably keep a copy for myself.
Be prepared, though, to hear lots and lots and lots about Ally Carter's books. Those are her frames of reference and she's sticking to them.
I honestly didn't think I'd finish this one. Ally Carter's writing struck me as...condescending. Written at teenagers rather than for them, if that makes sense. But either the writing grew on me or that's just Carter's style because by the end it didn't bug me as much.
Though written by a YA author with lots of snip-its from other YA authors, I found this book contained lots of good advice beyond the YA genre. I particularly appreciated the advice from authors other than Carter because they brought variety in both writing styles and life experience. And also, I love Shannon Hale and Sarah Rees Brennan and Marissa Meyer (to say nothing of the other dozen contributing authors) so I perked up whenever they chimed in.
It isn't the best book on writing ever but it is a practical starting point to get the creative juices flowing. I'd give a teenager a copy. Heck, I'll probably keep a copy for myself.
Be prepared, though, to hear lots and lots and lots about Ally Carter's books. Those are her frames of reference and she's sticking to them.