By Paula Limbaugh
Oh my goodness!! Can you imagine sitting down in front of a respected author and asking him “How did you do that?” Well, that’s exactly what it feels like when reading this book. Whether you’re a writer or a lover of words, you’ll be amazed at the thought process of each contributor. How they start with a simple idea and expand it into a full-fledged story. Is it easy? Is this a silver bullet that will do everything? No. But these tips will hopefully be the catalyst to help you get over the hump and start writing your next bestseller.
James Everington tells you that it’s OK to write crap! Yes! No problem. Don’t sweat the small stuff when writing your first draft. Just get it all on paper, and he’ll explain the whys and hows of doing it, and how to shape your first draft into a finished product.
Mark Allan Gunnells writes my favorite short stories. You don’t have to write a novel to be considered a serious writer. There is an art to telling a short story, a way to engage the reader and keep them engaged in the story.
Haha, Theresa Derwin, the way she creates characters is original. By observing everyday people, she can imagine entirely new lives for them. And, it really works! Since reading this, I find myself looking at patrons of restaurants, events, etc. in a completely different way (if only they knew, haha).
You are sure to laugh out loud when you read Jonathan Winn’s article. Jonathan talks about something every writer dreads… “writer’s block”. Jonathan puts it in perspective. For him, this is an effective way to overcome this dreaded block. Is that a sure thing? No, but this method worked for him and it could work for you too.
Brian Hodge offers fatherly advice on how to shake off negativity. No matter how famous you are, you will always face criticism. Is it the end of the world if not everyone likes your work? Of course not!
Lucy A. Snyder, Daniel I. Russell, and Paul Kane also share some great tips, from how to teach creative writing, to submitting a story, to creating protagonists and antagonists.
As with Volume 1, these are tips from successful authors. These tips will help you get started in your writing career. What works for one person may not work for another, but taken together, you’ll have enough ideas to start writing. As a reader, you’ll get a glimpse into the inner thought process that went into creating that book you loved. Again, this is an informative and engaging book. Buy your copy here!
score: 5/5
