06 Sep

Posted at 05:58h in Reviews by

My Shouting, Shattered, Whispering Voice: A Guide to Writing Poetry and Speaking Your Truth - A Review As someone who has always been captivated by the power of words, I was drawn to My Shouting, Shattered, Whispering Voice: A Guide to Writing Poetry and Speaking Your Truth by Patrice Vecchione the moment I encountered it. The title itself resonated with a deep part of me—a blend of chaos and calm, of emotions yearning for expression. As I delved into Vecchione's guide, I found myself not just reading, but truly...

27 Aug

Posted at 20:11h in Reviews by

Review of Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style As someone who finds solace in a well-structured sentence, I couldn't resist the charm of Dreyer's English. Benjamin Dreyer, a seasoned copy chief at Random House, presents not just a guide to grammar but a delightful exploration of the English language. I remember the day I picked it up—sitting in my favorite reading nook, a cup of steaming tea in hand, I anticipated a typical grammar guide but instead found myself in the midst of a linguistic...

26 Aug

Posted at 11:37h in Reviews by

Delving into Narrative Craft: A Review of Writing Fiction by Janet Burroway As a lifelong reader and occasional writer, Janet Burroway's Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft immediately piqued my interest. The promise of a comprehensive guide that many creative writing programs across the U.S. embrace felt like the literary equivalent of finding a treasure map. I’m not just looking to dabble; I want to hone my craft! Little did I know, this book would both inspire and challenge my perceptions about writing, especially in today’s literary landscape. At...

24 Aug

Posted at 01:54h in Reviews by

Book Review: Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft by Janet Burroway As a budding writer constantly on the hunt for guidance, Janet Burroway's Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft piqued my interest for its reputation as a staple in the creative writing world. This updated tenth edition, part of the Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing series, promised not just the foundational principles of narrative craft but a fresh perspective, complete with new prompts and contemporary examples. Little did I know, this book would not only...

17 Aug

Posted at 16:16h in Reviews by

Book Review: Reading and Writing about Literature: A Portable Guide Sometimes a book catches your eye for the simple fact that it promises to unpack the complex beauty of literature in a way that feels accessible and engaging. That was my first impression when I stumbled upon Reading and Writing about Literature: A Portable Guide by the esteemed authors of Bedford/St. Martin's. Even the phrase "portable guide" intrigued me; it felt like an invitation to carry the world of literary exploration right in my bag! At 224 pages, this fifth...

17 Aug

Posted at 07:14h in Reviews by

How Not to Write a Novel: Laughing Through the Literary Minefield As an aspiring novelist, I often find myself knee-deep in various writing guides, searching for that elusive secret to success. It was during one of those moments of desperate scrolling that "How Not to Write a Novel: 200 Classic Mistakes and How to Avoid Them" by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman caught my eye. With a title that was both humorous and intriguingly candid, I couldn't resist picking it up. From the very first page, it became clear that...

15 Aug

Posted at 01:07h in Reviews by

Review of Writing Fiction For Dummies by Randy Ingermanson When I stumbled upon Writing Fiction For Dummies, I was somehow both skeptical and intrigued. As a budding author who often finds herself engulfed in the sea of writing advice, I thought to myself, “Can a legacy series like For Dummies really provide the clarity I need?” However, the name Randy Ingermanson—a bestselling author known for his Snowflake Method—had a certain weight that pulled me in, and I thought, why not give it a shot? From the very first chapter, Ingermanson’s...

14 Aug

Posted at 07:01h in Reviews by

Finding Focus: A Personal Journey with The One-Year Novelist As someone who has always dreamed of writing a novel, but often found the task daunting and elusive, L.M. Lilly's The One-Year Novelist: A Week-By-Week Guide To Writing Your Novel In One Year immediately struck a chord with me. The very title promises a sense of possibility—what if, instead of letting procrastination linger, I could actually approach my writing with a structured plan? With my busy schedule filled with jobs, family commitments, and other responsibilities, I was keenly aware that...

12 Aug

Posted at 00:46h in Reviews by

Review of The Storyteller's Workbook: An Inspirational, Interactive Guide to the Craft of Novel Writing As I sat down at my familiar writing nook, notebook, coffee, and a sprinkle of enthusiasm, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of trepidation mixed with excitement. I’ve been planting seeds for my novel for what feels like an eternity, and the promise of structure in The Storyteller's Workbook by Adrienne Young and Isabel Ibañez felt like a gust of fresh air. This interactive guide isn’t just another writing manual; it's a creative...

04 Aug

Posted at 02:57h in Reviews by

Book Review: Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel by Jessica Brody As a lifelong fan of the young adult genre, when I stumbled upon Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel by Jessica Brody, I felt a spark of excitement. Would this be the guide that finally helped me transition from an aspiring writer to someone truly crafting engaging stories for teens? With her prior works having garnered a loyal following, I couldn't help but hope that this book held the key to unlocking the complexities...