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varo's review
informative
fast-paced
3.75
Very much an intro primer for people just thinking about writing who don't know a ton about story
susannes_pagesofcrime's review against another edition
5.0
I realise that most of the reviews here are three or four stars, however I really appreciated the short, to the point advice that Walter Mosley has provided.
I'm sure I will be returning to this book for its clear and simple pointers many times throughout the various phases of writing a novel.
I'm sure I will be returning to this book for its clear and simple pointers many times throughout the various phases of writing a novel.
rainydancer's review against another edition
3.0
2.5ish stars
"I wish I had the answers to these problem. I don't." - (Walter Mosley not caring about my 11 hour work days)
At least this book let me know early on that I was not, in fact, going to be finishing my novel in a year. I think it was page 9 that casually mentions, "oh when I say write everyday, I mean for at LEAST an hour and a half". Oh. Okay.
All in all, I was a bit disappointed that there really wasn't too much new information. I felt it sort of oddly talked a long time about the basics of writing, that I think many young students would know, only to spend a super short time on second drafts, third, and the whole editing process. Then a page or so about publishing and agents; all the sort of final important details that I sort of crave from a published writer's book about creating your first novel. It could very well be only me looking for these things, but I felt the emphasis was placed on the incorrect things. I have to think most people picking up this book would know what a metaphor and first person narratives are; how to turn a first or second draft into a published work, less so.
"I wish I had the answers to these problem. I don't." - (Walter Mosley not caring about my 11 hour work days)
At least this book let me know early on that I was not, in fact, going to be finishing my novel in a year. I think it was page 9 that casually mentions, "oh when I say write everyday, I mean for at LEAST an hour and a half". Oh. Okay.
All in all, I was a bit disappointed that there really wasn't too much new information. I felt it sort of oddly talked a long time about the basics of writing, that I think many young students would know, only to spend a super short time on second drafts, third, and the whole editing process. Then a page or so about publishing and agents; all the sort of final important details that I sort of crave from a published writer's book about creating your first novel. It could very well be only me looking for these things, but I felt the emphasis was placed on the incorrect things. I have to think most people picking up this book would know what a metaphor and first person narratives are; how to turn a first or second draft into a published work, less so.
keisenbraun's review against another edition
5.0
Brief but full of lots of useful tidbits, especially when it comes to editing and revising. A lot of novel-writing resources I have encountered deal only with elements such as plot and POV and character development. Mosley covers these things but then moves on to what to expect from the revision process. How many drafts should you expect to write? How do you push through the middle section of your manuscript when you're feeling stuck? How do you know when you're done revising? This was just what I needed at this point and helped me realize that I am on the right track even though it doesn't always feel that way. This is one I may keep and reread for inspiration as needed.
sarahjsnider's review against another edition
3.0
Nothing in here is bad advice. It's just not much advice at all.
erin_dodge's review against another edition
5.0
A very down to earth and helpful read, and the audiobook is great.
The main takeaway: write every. single. day!! Even if it’s just an hour and a half-
Loved the mix of solid, easy advice and more esoteric musings on art.
Also read his “Elements of Fiction” which is very similar but also great.
The main takeaway: write every. single. day!! Even if it’s just an hour and a half-
Loved the mix of solid, easy advice and more esoteric musings on art.
Also read his “Elements of Fiction” which is very similar but also great.
hopeevey's review against another edition
5.0
This was exactly the book about writing I needed to read right now. If you're not me (and I would be very confused if you were) this will be useful to you, but may not blow your mind like it did mine. Nevertheless, it's very much worth reading. It's a short book that manages to feel like an engaged mentor, a wise guide, and just enough of a shove in the write direction.