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Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life
 
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Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life (Hardcover)
by Terry Brooks (Author), Betsy Mitchell (Editor)
4.0 out of 5 stars  (1 customer review)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Del Rey Books (Mar 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0345458281
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345458285
  • Product Dimensions: 22 x 14.4 x 2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  (1 customer review)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 734,031 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #44 in  Books > Reference > Writing > Genre Fiction > Science Fiction & Fantasy

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
In Sometimes the Magic Works, author Terry Brooks mixes advice on writing with stories from his personal experience in publishing. A seasoned fantasy writer with 19 books under his belt, including the New York Times bestseller The Sword of Shannara, Brooks began his career in middle-age when he gave up life as a lawyer to pursue writing full-time. This change for Brooks was fuelled by his obsession with writing, ("If I don't write, I become restless and ill-tempered"), inspiration by JRR Tolkien, and constant encouragement from publisher Lester del Rey. Some of Brooks' advice is very specific and useful, such as a chapter dedicated to the importance of outlining. However, the lessons he tries to tell through his own adventures tend to be self-serving. Still, his experiences could be particularly interesting and valuable to fans of Brooks's fantasy novels--and aspiring authors of their own. --Lacey Fain, Amazon.com

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Read!, 14 Mar 2003
While not a writer myself, I was looking forward to reading the new book by one of my favorite authors, and I am pleased to say I was not disappointed.

Sometimes the Magic Works contains two parts; a memoir of Brooks' own experiences in becoming a bestselling author and the second part, giving advice to aspiring writers, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed

The autographical aspects of the novel were excellent, I particularly liked reading about Terry's love for 'make believe' when he was growing up, the challenges he faced and conquered in getting his first book published, and how amazed he was when it landed on the New York Times Trade Paperback bestseller list.

Terry also tells us of the disappointments he has faced throughout his writing career, and how a determined novelist must be prepared to go through these trials. One of my favorite parts of the book was the tales of the people who have influenced him in his career, especially the stories of the lessons he learned from his grandson Hunter.

Although I don't write myself I found the advice Terry offers to would-be writers both enlightening and enjoyable. He provides thoughtful and useful insights into the techniques he uses to write a bestselling novel, while keeping the reader entertained and amused throughout.

All through the novel I felt I could identify with Terry's love of books, and I also felt I learned more about what it takes to become a published author. At the end of the book I was left with the inspiration that if you believe in yourself and work hard enough you can accomplish anything. If you write or if you don't you will find this novel to be informative, thought provoking and entertaining.

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