egbella's review against another edition
5.0
To put it simply, this book is amazing. I'm planning an in-depth review on my blog, so I'll come back and include the link to that later, but for now...I definitely recommend this for any writers. Not just teen, not just new writers, not just traditionally-publishing inclined, or indie authors...I really do think every writer can find helpful information in here. I wouldn't consider myself a new writer, and I've taken a lot of classes/courses/read lots of writing books, but I still found a lot of great refreshers. Absolutely worth the buy!
(And besides that, the authors are some of the sweetest, most helpful people ever. They made the book a joy to read through.)
(And besides that, the authors are some of the sweetest, most helpful people ever. They made the book a joy to read through.)
rbreesy's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so helpful and very easy to understand. It covers everything you need to do, especially some very good editing and revising tips. It's also very encouraging. I'd definitely recommend it.
girlybug's review against another edition
4.0
This book is such an encouraging and informative read for teens. Whilst this is mainly for writers who have written a first draft–and how they can polish that up–I read it while only being halfway through writing the first draft of my current novel. Nevertheless, it was still inspiring and only motivated me further to finish my first draft.
This book is filled with tips and advice, from checking grammar, to finding an agent. Since I am currently not in the place to try these tips out, I can’t speak from first-hand experience. However, a common thread throughout this book is: It’s going to take hard work to be successful as an author. This is not conveyed in a way which leaves your writing dreams shattered, but in a practical, honest yet inspiring way. I respect that. I respect that they worked hard–and still do–to get to the place where they are now. Rather than walk away from this book feeling daunted, I feel motivated to give writing my best shot and to work hard at it, like I would if I was pursuing any career.
Sure, there is the possibility that a teen’s going to read this and feel daunted, but I think the cons, as well as the pros, needs to be addressed to someone who is thinking seriously about being published. Besides, they discuss them in such a diplomatic way that if someone is put off a writing career by reading this, then it is probably just as well that they read this first!
This book is filled with tips and advice, from checking grammar, to finding an agent. Since I am currently not in the place to try these tips out, I can’t speak from first-hand experience. However, a common thread throughout this book is: It’s going to take hard work to be successful as an author. This is not conveyed in a way which leaves your writing dreams shattered, but in a practical, honest yet inspiring way. I respect that. I respect that they worked hard–and still do–to get to the place where they are now. Rather than walk away from this book feeling daunted, I feel motivated to give writing my best shot and to work hard at it, like I would if I was pursuing any career.
Sure, there is the possibility that a teen’s going to read this and feel daunted, but I think the cons, as well as the pros, needs to be addressed to someone who is thinking seriously about being published. Besides, they discuss them in such a diplomatic way that if someone is put off a writing career by reading this, then it is probably just as well that they read this first!
evagrace_j's review against another edition
4.0
I found this really helpful and inspirational.
I'm not quite who the book was aimed at for a number of reasons; I prefer self-publishing (and know much more about it, so this was actually nice as I got to see more into traditional publishing and how it works), I haven't actually finished a draft of anything, and I don't think I'll publish (self or traditional publishing) in the near future at all. I'm not sure why I'm currently obsessed with reading books about publishing and marketing self-published books as ... yeah. Don't ask.
Still, this was a really good book and extremely helpful for me. In approximately the first half or so of the book it goes over how to macro-edit and micro-edit your book, from plot to characters to grammar. Even though I haven't actually finished a draft of anything I found this especially helpful and it really made me want to write (which is always a plus in a writing book ;) )
The second half was from when you have your book as polished as you possibly can and then want to go into traditional publishing, aimed at teens of course. This one wasn't personally helpful as, like I said, I personally like self-publishing much more as I know many people who slowly over the years, working hard and marketing much, have made it into a successful business. I personally prefer self-publishing just because I know (with work of course) it can be successful and you get the added bonus of having much much more control.
Anyway, I loved being able to look into and learn a bit more about traditional publishing. The two authors went over getting agents, writing queries, sort of what to expect, and quite a bit of other information which I feel would have been waaay more useful for people this book was actually aimed at. ;P
The only thing I wasn't particularly fond of was how they called the main conflict of the story the "story problem". It just felt like they were dumbing it down for teenagers. I suppose it's entirely possible that both of them always just called it the "story problem" and I mean, that's perfectly fine. I guess I just grew up on it being called the "conflict" and I was just slightly confused and annoyed when I had to replace the word I knew in my head with the (what felt more "dumbed down") "story problem".
Also, personally, it just felt a bit off when they discuss character voice and how if you're writing a girl they could notice things like clothes and compare how they look with other people, and if writing a boy they could notice things like car makes and engine models. It just felt ... very very over generalizing and ... it just popped out to me. xD I'm odd.
Overall, I would totally recommend this book to basically any writers, and especially teenaged writers. I really enjoyed it and after returning the library copy, will have to go buy one for myself. ;)
I'm not quite who the book was aimed at for a number of reasons; I prefer self-publishing (and know much more about it, so this was actually nice as I got to see more into traditional publishing and how it works), I haven't actually finished a draft of anything, and I don't think I'll publish (self or traditional publishing) in the near future at all. I'm not sure why I'm currently obsessed with reading books about publishing and marketing self-published books as ... yeah. Don't ask.
Still, this was a really good book and extremely helpful for me. In approximately the first half or so of the book it goes over how to macro-edit and micro-edit your book, from plot to characters to grammar. Even though I haven't actually finished a draft of anything I found this especially helpful and it really made me want to write (which is always a plus in a writing book ;) )
The second half was from when you have your book as polished as you possibly can and then want to go into traditional publishing, aimed at teens of course. This one wasn't personally helpful as, like I said, I personally like self-publishing much more as I know many people who slowly over the years, working hard and marketing much, have made it into a successful business. I personally prefer self-publishing just because I know (with work of course) it can be successful and you get the added bonus of having much much more control.
Anyway, I loved being able to look into and learn a bit more about traditional publishing. The two authors went over getting agents, writing queries, sort of what to expect, and quite a bit of other information which I feel would have been waaay more useful for people this book was actually aimed at. ;P
The only thing I wasn't particularly fond of was how they called the main conflict of the story the "story problem". It just felt like they were dumbing it down for teenagers. I suppose it's entirely possible that both of them always just called it the "story problem" and I mean, that's perfectly fine. I guess I just grew up on it being called the "conflict" and I was just slightly confused and annoyed when I had to replace the word I knew in my head with the (what felt more "dumbed down") "story problem".
Also, personally, it just felt a bit off when they discuss character voice and how if you're writing a girl they could notice things like clothes and compare how they look with other people, and if writing a boy they could notice things like car makes and engine models. It just felt ... very very over generalizing and ... it just popped out to me. xD I'm odd.
Overall, I would totally recommend this book to basically any writers, and especially teenaged writers. I really enjoyed it and after returning the library copy, will have to go buy one for myself. ;)
elizabethcaneday's review against another edition
5.0
Such a tome of wisdom for all writers, not just teens. Highly recommended!
readsforlove's review against another edition
5.0
Great, comprehensive guide to finishing a novel for beginning writers. I proofread this early, and it was such a great refresher for me. I can’t wait to give copies to my young writer friends!
wanderonwards's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
One of the most comprehensive, step-by-step books on self-editing I’ve come across. This is an excellent resource for anyone (not just teens) looking for guidance with macro and micro-edits with their draft. However, some of the information hasn’t aged well and I would not seek this book out as a resource for publishing. For instance, the authors recommend only turning to self-publishing if you’ve tried and failed in the traditional publishing world and I cannot stress enough how that’s really really not the reason you should self-publish. There are so, so many reasons why someone would prefer to self-publish over traditionally publish (and vice-versa), and I would have preferred this section to have been written by a guest author with self-publishing experience.
lulu_loves_conan_gray's review
5.0
this was really helpful and is continuing to be really helpful. there was a lot of good pointers and things I hadn't even considered. great book.
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