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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've read lots of books about writing fiction. Although I studied creative writing at university level for several years, I'm not averse to reading books targeted at beginners because I can almost always learn something new. This book, however, was an exception. I looked at the author's website before ordering it and I had high hopes for it, but unfortunately it turned out to be one of the worst writing books I've ever read.
It starts with the assumption that the reader knows virtually nothing about writing fiction. This would not necessarily be a problem, but the author then tries to rapidly cover ALL the elements of writing fiction in a fairly short book. This approach means that a) nothing is covered in much depth and b) there isn't much space left to discuss YA fiction in particular. It would have been much more useful if she had focused on discussing what makes YA fiction distinct from adult fiction, and given recommendations for further reading on particular topics like plotting, characterization and point of view.
There are not enough detailed examples from published fiction to explain or demonstrate the author's points, and no discussion of current trends or authors, which means that readers who wonder what subjects might be controversial or overdone won't be able to find out from this book. Quotes from professionals are included, but these are too brief to be useful. It would have been really helpful to include more quotes from current writers in the field, and discuss how YA published now differs from YA published a few decades ago. A recommended reading list would have been good, too.
The book is really badly organised; much of the chapter on dialogue isn't even about dialogue! In this chapter the author covers narrative summary, misplaced modifiers, literary erudition, reducing the word count, getting critiques, and other subjects using examples from narrative, not dialogue. This chapter would have been better separated into two chapters, discussing dialogue and narrative style as different topics. As it is the focus of the chapter just seems to meander back and forth.
I started to get annoyed when the author explained the meaning of "Tom Swifties" and "said bookisms". By this point I felt I was being talked down to; the assumption seems to be that the person who's bought this book knows NOTHING about writing fiction. I also felt this book included too many lists and there were not enough references or recommendations for further study.
The book does include a brilliant quote by Ursula K. LeGuin in which she describes her concepts of "crowding" and "leaping" in fiction. I immediately wanted to read more, but frustratingly, Brooks doesn't give a reference so there's no way of knowing where this quote has come from!
Overall, I was very disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it at all.
It starts with the assumption that the reader knows virtually nothing about writing fiction. This would not necessarily be a problem, but the author then tries to rapidly cover ALL the elements of writing fiction in a fairly short book. This approach means that a) nothing is covered in much depth and b) there isn't much space left to discuss YA fiction in particular. It would have been much more useful if she had focused on discussing what makes YA fiction distinct from adult fiction, and given recommendations for further reading on particular topics like plotting, characterization and point of view.
There are not enough detailed examples from published fiction to explain or demonstrate the author's points, and no discussion of current trends or authors, which means that readers who wonder what subjects might be controversial or overdone won't be able to find out from this book. Quotes from professionals are included, but these are too brief to be useful. It would have been really helpful to include more quotes from current writers in the field, and discuss how YA published now differs from YA published a few decades ago. A recommended reading list would have been good, too.
The book is really badly organised; much of the chapter on dialogue isn't even about dialogue! In this chapter the author covers narrative summary, misplaced modifiers, literary erudition, reducing the word count, getting critiques, and other subjects using examples from narrative, not dialogue. This chapter would have been better separated into two chapters, discussing dialogue and narrative style as different topics. As it is the focus of the chapter just seems to meander back and forth.
I started to get annoyed when the author explained the meaning of "Tom Swifties" and "said bookisms". By this point I felt I was being talked down to; the assumption seems to be that the person who's bought this book knows NOTHING about writing fiction. I also felt this book included too many lists and there were not enough references or recommendations for further study.
The book does include a brilliant quote by Ursula K. LeGuin in which she describes her concepts of "crowding" and "leaping" in fiction. I immediately wanted to read more, but frustratingly, Brooks doesn't give a reference so there's no way of knowing where this quote has come from!
Overall, I was very disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it at all.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
After reading some of the slightly more negative reviews relating to this title, I was a little apprehensive and worried that I might have wasted my money.
However, in my opinion Writing Great Books for Young Adults provides a useful introduction to writing fiction for teenagers and makes the beginning writer aware of some of the "pitfalls" to avoid. The book is well organized and while no aspect is covered in great depth (the author strives for breadth rather than depth), I closed the book with the feeling that I had learned some useful/ essential information. Differences between writing for a YA audience as opposed to an adult one are explained well, there are numerous short comments from professionals working in the field (editors, agents, etc.) and the chapters are clearly organized.
Having said that, I do not have a lot of experience writing (YA) fiction, so someone with more experience/ knowledge of writing and the YA market might not share this evaluation.
To summarize, this book is unlikely to provide you with a "magic receipe" on how to write a bestselling YA novel, but it will make you more aware of the most important issues involved in writing your novel and possibly getting it published.
However, in my opinion Writing Great Books for Young Adults provides a useful introduction to writing fiction for teenagers and makes the beginning writer aware of some of the "pitfalls" to avoid. The book is well organized and while no aspect is covered in great depth (the author strives for breadth rather than depth), I closed the book with the feeling that I had learned some useful/ essential information. Differences between writing for a YA audience as opposed to an adult one are explained well, there are numerous short comments from professionals working in the field (editors, agents, etc.) and the chapters are clearly organized.
Having said that, I do not have a lot of experience writing (YA) fiction, so someone with more experience/ knowledge of writing and the YA market might not share this evaluation.
To summarize, this book is unlikely to provide you with a "magic receipe" on how to write a bestselling YA novel, but it will make you more aware of the most important issues involved in writing your novel and possibly getting it published.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
22 reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Great Buy
22 Sep 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love this book. If you're looking for a magic formula - something that will write your book for you, then you are wasting your time here. However if you are after a helpful guide, perhaps something that will assist in overcoming writers block - then this book may be for you. It's an easy read, it makes so many valid points that I lost count and also includes activities to get the creative juices flowing. I was struggling with the direction of my story, I was stuck floundering in pointless words and paragraphs, but this book has pulled me out and set me back on my way - complete with a clear path ahead. From doing some of the exercises my approach to my story, and the story itself, has changed dramatically - and for the better.
This book is a much appreciated guiding light - NOT a quick formula for you to make your Harry Potter millions!
I thoroughly recommend it to any novice writer out there that needs a gentle prod in the right direction. Money well spent.
This book is a much appreciated guiding light - NOT a quick formula for you to make your Harry Potter millions!
I thoroughly recommend it to any novice writer out there that needs a gentle prod in the right direction. Money well spent.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Better than you'd hope for
16 Nov 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Brooks clearly knows what she's about. I've read (too many) books about writing, and this is one of the better ones. It's not full of cheer leading -- ("yes, you can!") but solid advice. The brief treatment of plot, the types of plot, and so forth, is clear and helpful. One thing I found less clear is her distinction between plot and story.
She's very good on what makes books for teens different from books for adults. Since I don't have a teen of my own, I'm going on memory of my own teen years. Brooks also makes specific recommendations on teen fiction to read.
There's enough information in this book to stand up under re-reading. Very helpful.
She's very good on what makes books for teens different from books for adults. Since I don't have a teen of my own, I'm going on memory of my own teen years. Brooks also makes specific recommendations on teen fiction to read.
There's enough information in this book to stand up under re-reading. Very helpful.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
A Good How-To Guide for Beginners With Details More Experienced Writers Will Find Helpful Too
16 Nov 2009
Format:Paperback
I read a review of Writing Great Books for Young Adults in The Writer magazine. Having tried my hand at writing YA and middle grade fiction in the past, I decided to order a copy.
I found Ms. Brooks' writing style to be easy to read and understand. Too many how-to books for writers tend to be condescending or overwritten. I felt that Ms. Brooks did a good job of imparting useful information in a conversational tone. Reading her work almost felt like taking a live class at a writers' conference.
It helps that Ms. Brooks is a literary agent and lives her subject matter. You can tell that she genuinely enjoys YA, unlike so many of her fellow agents who only seem to represent the genre because it's hot. You can feel the encouragement in Ms. Brooks' words as she strives to guide the reader along the difficult path toward publication.
I recommend this book for anyone who desires to write YA fiction. Is it the only book you need to read about the genre? No. You should read everything you can get your hands on, but Ms. Brooks work is an excellent starting place.
I found Ms. Brooks' writing style to be easy to read and understand. Too many how-to books for writers tend to be condescending or overwritten. I felt that Ms. Brooks did a good job of imparting useful information in a conversational tone. Reading her work almost felt like taking a live class at a writers' conference.
It helps that Ms. Brooks is a literary agent and lives her subject matter. You can tell that she genuinely enjoys YA, unlike so many of her fellow agents who only seem to represent the genre because it's hot. You can feel the encouragement in Ms. Brooks' words as she strives to guide the reader along the difficult path toward publication.
I recommend this book for anyone who desires to write YA fiction. Is it the only book you need to read about the genre? No. You should read everything you can get your hands on, but Ms. Brooks work is an excellent starting place.
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