Thanks Love
Maybe these books are a lot like the how to be a great teacher books. You can do some of the stuff but really its matters if the person has talent or not...if that makes sense.
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I feel like the worst writer EVER!
News, views, and reviews on books and graphic novels for young adult.
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- juleswatson
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Good points by everyone - the people writing these "how tos" have not had bestsellers themselves, because such success is due to a lot of imprecise, mysterious, "magical" elements that no one can really pin down. All these books can do is improve on the spark that you have that makes you an individual and the creative muse that is yours alone. I agree with leo - don't read them in first draft stage but later in revising stage. I've had four novels published and I only ever read one "How to" book and yes, Catholic, that was Persia Woolley's book "How to Write HF" and that was about 12 years ago! I bought the Maas book on a whim - since I am now in late revisions of book 5 I'm not sure if it's the right time!! Clearly I am doing some of what is right already, but you can always improve. It helps me remember and double check some stuff, since books are so complicated to complete - the brain does get overloaded and you can't see the wood from the trees. Divia - "how to" books are NO substitute for writing from the heart when you get that spark! That's the magic
Author of Celtic historical fantasy
New book "THE RAVEN QUEEN" out Feb 22 2011: The story of Maeve, the famous warrior queen of Irish mythology.
Out now, "THE SWAN MAIDEN", the ancient tale of Deirdre, the Irish 'Helen of Troy'
http://www.juleswatson.com
New book "THE RAVEN QUEEN" out Feb 22 2011: The story of Maeve, the famous warrior queen of Irish mythology.
Out now, "THE SWAN MAIDEN", the ancient tale of Deirdre, the Irish 'Helen of Troy'
http://www.juleswatson.com
- LoveHistory
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- Anna Elliott
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- Joined: March 2009
I absolutely agree! As Jules said, so much of writing is that indefinable spark of magic. Why has Star Trek been such an enduring phenomenon? Or King Arthur stories, for that matter? There are legions of reasons you can list, but the real answer is that no one can absolutely pin it down--there's just something magical there, something that grabs us and won't let go.
Writing is like any other skill, I think. Like playing the piano--if you really want to learn to play, reading a book about piano playing may help a bit, but what you really need to do is sit down at the keyboard and start playing. And don't be discouraged if you're not exactly playing Mozart right away, you know? It all comes with practice!
Divia, have you tried Noah Lukeman's The Plot Thickens? I'm not usually a huge fan of books on writing, but I really did like that one when I was first starting out--probably because it's less a textbook and more lists and lists of questions to help you get to know your characters better and understand the journey they're on more fully.
Writing is like any other skill, I think. Like playing the piano--if you really want to learn to play, reading a book about piano playing may help a bit, but what you really need to do is sit down at the keyboard and start playing. And don't be discouraged if you're not exactly playing Mozart right away, you know? It all comes with practice!
Divia, have you tried Noah Lukeman's The Plot Thickens? I'm not usually a huge fan of books on writing, but I really did like that one when I was first starting out--probably because it's less a textbook and more lists and lists of questions to help you get to know your characters better and understand the journey they're on more fully.
Author of the Twilight of Avalon trilogy
new book: Dark Moon of Avalon, coming Sept 14 from Simon &Schuster (Touchstone)
http://www.annaelliottbooks.com
Anna,
I hadn't heard of that one. I'll see if the lib has it. Thanks
I hadn't heard of that one. I'll see if the lib has it. Thanks
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- Margaret
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I like all of Noah Lukeman's books. The Plot Thickens is especially good for people who have moved beyond the beginner stage.
Browse over 5000 historical novel listings (probably well over 5000 by now, but I haven't re-counted lately) and over 700 reviews at www.HistoricalNovels.info
The worst moments of self-doubt I ever had as a writer were when I was doing my MA in creative writing! I became completely blank and felt that I would never write again (because we were being moulded to write in a certain image otherwise we wouldn't get good marks). The thing is to trust your own intuition on what works for you and what doesn't. Pick what you find useful from these books but don't think that they are the full answer.
Looking at the start date of this thread, I hope you've managed to find your self-confidence again Divia. Just get a first draft down and then start to polish it up - in whatever way suits you best
Looking at the start date of this thread, I hope you've managed to find your self-confidence again Divia. Just get a first draft down and then start to polish it up - in whatever way suits you best
- wendy
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Diva - believe in yourself! Write what YOU would want to read and you can bet there will be plenty of others out there like you. No book (absolutely no book) appeals to everyone, which is why there's always room for one more original writer.
I have a PhD in Literature and used to teach literary analysis, creative writing, and composition. Best advice anyone ever gave me? Read as much great literature as you can! I think you absorb technique as you read, your mind unconsciously processes it, and it somehow magically emerges in your own work at a later date.
Good luck and keep smiling
I have a PhD in Literature and used to teach literary analysis, creative writing, and composition. Best advice anyone ever gave me? Read as much great literature as you can! I think you absorb technique as you read, your mind unconsciously processes it, and it somehow magically emerges in your own work at a later date.
Good luck and keep smiling
Wendy K. Perriman
Fire on Dark Water (Penguin, 2011)
http://www.wendyperriman.com
http://www.FireOnDarkWater.com
Fire on Dark Water (Penguin, 2011)
http://www.wendyperriman.com
http://www.FireOnDarkWater.com