A Piece of My Mind:
Evanovich's New Folly
Bennet Pomerantz
I always enjoy an inquiring mind and the questions that come from those
with that mind. When I do writers' workshops, a few mention an article I
wrote for Fiction Fix about the first time Writer's Tool Kit (article
link). The next question after they mention the article is "What
books to you recommend?"
After I rattle off such titles as Shrunk & White's The Elements of
Style, Stephen King's On Writing and Lawrence Block's Telling
Lies for Fun and Profit (his
website just in case you can't find this one in your local book
store).
Most want more titles on writing, right there and then. In a way, I feel
like I am cheating them . . . And that I will leave for another column.
Today I will only share only one on writing that just came out
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I love Janet Evanovich's work, especially her Stephanie Plum novels. If
you haven't read any of the Plum novels yet, they combine mystery with humor
and it works well. Thirteen best-selling books with one character must prove
something right. When will someone make this character into a movie or two?
How I write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author (St. Martin's Press)
is culled from her writing tips(the Q & A section ) she gave on her web site
(her web site is
evanovich.com). What makes the book unique
is this isn't those tried and true methods that all those writing books talk
about, these are from Janet's own and unique experience of novel writing.
She is a voice of knowledge, listen to her real-life stories and gain
wisdom. Her style in this book is part humor and part facts of life, but all
Janet!
Her coauthor Ina Yalof, chimes in more on the technical side, but her
voice is one of experience. From the beginning writer to the one who been
writing a long time will get a piece of wisdom to take away with them. This
book covers the process - including (dare I say it) writer's block -
to the end of the line (being published!). This quick practical reference
guide is one of the best I have seen for sources of Information.
This is not a DUMMIES GUIDE TO WRITING. It is an intelligent self help
book with verbal high-jinks that Janet Evanovich is known for.
So is this book worth it . . . You better believe it! Add this to your
writing library now!
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Food for thought question - What books on writing do you
recommend?
So until next time, REACH FOR THE STARS!
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