bibliophile24's review against another edition
5.0
I've read other books on writing, some better, some worse. I loved this one because of it's simplicity, and it's humor. It wasn't a dry, boring read, like so many of the 'how to write' books. I highly recommend it.
virginiacjacobs's review
3.0
This was an incredibly easy-to-read book. I think that because I read it on the heels of the screenwriting book, I found it to mirror a lot of the same sentiments.
I think an important thing to note is the subtitle: Secrets of a Bestselling Author. In reading this book, I realized that a number of things that I find to be petty or sophomoric about Evanovich's writing are actually intentional: the shortish stories, the simple, linear plots, the formulaic-ness of those plots.
It completely makes sense to me that once you find a formula that works, you should keep doing it, especially if you want to be a bestseller.
I don't know that this is the most useful guide to writing (although to be fair, it isn't advertised as such), but it is fairly entertaining, and Evanovich provides some resources and references, and reinforces that writers write.
I think an important thing to note is the subtitle: Secrets of a Bestselling Author. In reading this book, I realized that a number of things that I find to be petty or sophomoric about Evanovich's writing are actually intentional: the shortish stories, the simple, linear plots, the formulaic-ness of those plots.
It completely makes sense to me that once you find a formula that works, you should keep doing it, especially if you want to be a bestseller.
I don't know that this is the most useful guide to writing (although to be fair, it isn't advertised as such), but it is fairly entertaining, and Evanovich provides some resources and references, and reinforces that writers write.
chinney's review
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Great for fans of her Stephanie Plum series. Draws heavily from her own works.
saschadarlington's review
4.0
Janet Evanovich takes her wit to the non-fiction genre in this how-to-write book. While many of the details are particular to romance and/or mystery/adventure writing, a great deal of the information encompasses other genres as well.
The information is very hands on, including plotting and characterization, and covers information specific to someone wanting to write and have their novel published (agents, publishers). There is a section of useful organizations and links as well.
I listened to the audiobook version and found it entertaining as well as informative.
The information is very hands on, including plotting and characterization, and covers information specific to someone wanting to write and have their novel published (agents, publishers). There is a section of useful organizations and links as well.
I listened to the audiobook version and found it entertaining as well as informative.
vladco's review
3.0
An easy, quick read done Q&A style. I thought the parts on characterization were the strongest. To be clear, this is a pop-lit author's guide on how to write more pop-lit, so it doesn't go particularly deep on how to really build a fictional human with complex motivations, but Janet's an undisputed bestselling author, so I deeply appreciated the wisdom she shared here. Lots of great advice about how she does it. More practical, I think, than the highly-lauded equivalent book by Stephen King.
tempest_1313's review
2.0
I used to read the Stephanie Plum books, when I was younger, but hadn't read one in over a decade when I impulsively checked this book out from the library. Judging by both the advice and the excerpts in here, that is a series I don't need to revisit. This book has not aged well. And I don't mean things like reference to dial-up internet. I'm talking about the way it leans on stereotypes, bemoans the way men are wrote with "female emotions", and suggests befriending cops as a research method. Not to mention suggesting non-romance authors join RWA, something I wouldn't even suggest romance writers do.
melissabalick's review
My aunt really likes her books. I read One For the Money years and years ago. It was fun. This book is a tiny bit outdated re: self publishing and the internet, but overall, it’s a decent book. Nothing groundbreaking, but I find this sort of encouraging “keep writing” style of how-to-write books very comforting. Janet Evanovitch is cute, she reminds me of Philly. New Jersey is basically Philly.
michelleful's review
3.0
Quick breezy read in Q/A format. I wouldn't recommend it to writers in general. It's very dated, for one, and doesn't give any advice you couldn't get in a more fleshed-out format elsewhere. But it's good for people who've read Janet Evanovich's books and are curious about her process.
brittany_jean's review
3.0
It’s pretty cheesy and outdated at the end when it talks about publishing and running a website. However, it was really interesting to hear how she spends her time and makes the writing actually happen. It was only a 4 hour audiobook and from the library, so I thought it was a worthwhile “read.” Just know this isn’t about technical writing. It’s basic Q&As with some tips added in by the co-author.
I’ve never read her fiction books and probably won’t based on the samples provided, but still it was good insight nonetheless.
I’ve never read her fiction books and probably won’t based on the samples provided, but still it was good insight nonetheless.