09 May Book Review of Refuse to Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in …
Refuse to Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in… by Matt Bell – A Practical Guide to Creative Persistence
As someone who has often felt the weight of the blank page hovering over my writing aspirations, I was immediately drawn to Refuse to Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in… by Matt Bell. His name resonated with me not just as a novelist but as a creative writing professor based in Phoenix, AZ. With writing often feeling like a solitary and exhausting endeavor, Bell’s reassuring promise of a step-by-step method ignited my curiosity. Was this the guide I needed to navigate the tumultuous waters of novel writing?
Bell’s approach is refreshingly down-to-earth. Rather than lofty literary critiques that can often alienate budding writers, he offers a structure that feels more like IKEA assembly instructions—accessible and straightforward. The book is centered around three fundamental steps in the writing process: generative revision, narrative revision, and polishing revision.
The first step invites writers to embrace the chaos with a “shitty first draft,” a concept popularized by Anne Lamott. This part of the writing journey is all about quantity over quality, encouraging a playful exploration of ideas without the inhibition of self-critique. Bell provides a plethora of practical tips to help stave off writer’s block, ensuring that the creative wells never run dry. Personally, this section was a refreshing reminder to let go of perfectionism and just write. It felt liberating to consider that the initial draft could be messy and still hold value.
Once the dust, or rather, the words, settle, Bell transitions into the second stage: narrative revision. Here, things get more structured. Writers are asked to produce an outline or synopsis and tackle their work on a macro level. This can feel daunting, especially since detailed guidance on structuring isn’t extensively covered in this book. Still, Bell’s encouragement to rewrite the story afresh from this outline is both provocative and empowering. It resonated deeply with me, emphasizing that editing is just as vital as creation.
Finally, the polishing revision phase is where the magic happens. This step focuses on refinement—meticulously combing through for grammar, style, and clarity. Bell emphasizes the importance of letting go of beloved lines that merely clutter the narrative. It’s a necessary but tough love, one that I appreciate in my own writing process.
What I found particularly valuable throughout this manual is its realness. Bell strips away the romanticism often associated with writing and presents it as a labor-intensive craft that requires tenacity and dedication. His mantra that writing is akin to cabinetmaking rather than quick and dirty assembly with IKEA is both enlightening and motivating.
In conclusion, Refuse to Be Done isn’t just for seasoned writers; it’s perfect for anyone contemplating the daunting task of writing a novel. If you’re ready to embrace the beautiful messiness of creativity and can appreciate a no-nonsense guide sprinkled with practical wisdom, this book is your ally. Personally, I walked away from it not just with new techniques, but with a renewed sense of purpose in my writing journey, one that reminds me that persistence truly pays off. And quite frankly, who wouldn’t want to refuse to be done?
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