Rating: 
Summary: Now THIS is what Brooks should be known for...
Review: I'll admit that I was really hesitant about reading another Brooks after what a disaster "Sword of Shannara" was. However, I was really surprised with this book.In here is solid, concrete and eyeopening lessons on writing, whether you deal with Fantasy or not. Brooks had a very easy to follow and deceptively simple formula for producing books that are readable and appealing. The autobiography aspect is interesting too without being all "rose tinted hindsight". You may resist his insistance to outline your work before beginning say a novel, but I tried it and it works a bazillion times better than expecting a story to write itself. Get this book to know more about the man behind Shannara and the Magic Kingdom, to improve your writing or just to have a darn good read. - A.
Rating:
Summary: Now THIS is what Brooks should be known for...
Review: I'll admit that I was really hesitant about reading another Brooks after what a disaster "Sword of Shannara" was. However, I was really surprised with this book. In here is solid, concrete and eyeopening lessons on writing, whether you deal with Fantasy or not. Brooks had a very easy to follow and deceptively simple formula for producing books that are readable and appealing. The autobiography aspect is interesting too without being all "rose tinted hindsight". You may resist his insistance to outline your work before beginning say a novel, but I tried it and it works a bazillion times better than expecting a story to write itself. Get this book to know more about the man behind Shannara and the Magic Kingdom, to improve your writing or just to have a darn good read. - A.
Rating:
Summary: It Works for Writers of All Genres
Review: Like Stephen King's book 'On Writing,' 'Sometimes the Magic Works' is part autobiography and part writing advice. Brooks addresses the general and the specific, teaching writers how to avoid some of the biggest blunders while growing and developing into a writer of more depth. Brooks had a very interesting beginning. He was a lawyer for several years, yet when he decided to write, he wasn't interested in becoming a legal thriller writer like Grisham or Turow. He settled on fantasy. (By the way, Brooks advises that you write in as many genres as possible until you determine which genre is for you.) His first book, 'The Sword of Shannara,' made publishing history by becoming the first trade paperback to make the New York Times Bestseller list. So it was a bed of roses for Brooks from that point on, right? Hardly. 'Sometimes the Magic Works' is valuable for the writing advice, but also for a glimpse into the writer's life and the journey that Brooks has taken. Readers will see Brooks as a passionate writer and a dedicated family man. (Yes, you CAN be both!) This is a book that all writers, regardless of their genre, will want to read. 197 pages
Rating:
Summary: It Works for Writers of All Genres
Review: Like Stephen King's book `On Writing,' `Sometimes the Magic Works' is part autobiography and part writing advice. Brooks addresses the general and the specific, teaching writers how to avoid some of the biggest blunders while growing and developing into a writer of more depth. Brooks had a very interesting beginning. He was a lawyer for several years, yet when he decided to write, he wasn't interested in becoming a legal thriller writer like Grisham or Turow. He settled on fantasy. (By the way, Brooks advises that you write in as many genres as possible until you determine which genre is for you.) His first book, `The Sword of Shannara,' made publishing history by becoming the first trade paperback to make the New York Times Bestseller list. So it was a bed of roses for Brooks from that point on, right? Hardly. `Sometimes the Magic Works' is valuable for the writing advice, but also for a glimpse into the writer's life and the journey that Brooks has taken. Readers will see Brooks as a passionate writer and a dedicated family man. (Yes, you CAN be both!) This is a book that all writers, regardless of their genre, will want to read. 197 pages
Rating:
Summary: Lots of gems inside
Review: My favorite is what he says about outlining. He mentions talking with several well-known authors who work without outlines. But, he points out, they do several revisions whereas he does one draft and one revision and he's done. And he uses an outline. And he sums it up by saying you can either do all the hard work up front (outlining) or at the end (revision). He also provides a lot of insight into the reality of the often-perceived "glamorous" situation of being a novelist in Hollywood, and the differences between two novelization projects he did. Like Stephen King's "On Writing," it's part autobiography and part writing book. I'd recommend both since the two authors have different but equally enlightening styles.
Rating:
Summary: Winning Us Over
Review: Shame on me, I know...I've never read a Brooks novel. As a writer, though, I was interested to read his insights on the writing life. The book looked readable. Helpful. Witty. I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I read the entire thing in one evening. From peeks into the labor of the editing process to the debacle of writing the novelization of a movie, Brooks is honest and informative. He gives glimpses into his own beginnings and inspiration without seeming self-absorbed. He points future writers in the direction of hard work and quality craft. He offers a wonderful look into the joys of fiction. Stephen King and Anne Lamott have written sublime books on the world of an author, and now Terry Brooks adds to the list a book worthy of his predecessors. If I had any doubts about his writing, I've now put those aside. Time for me to grab one of his novels!
Rating:
Summary: Winning Us Over
Review: Shame on me, I know...I've never read a Brooks novel. As a writer, though, I was interested to read his insights on the writing life. The book looked readable. Helpful. Witty. I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I read the entire thing in one evening. From peeks into the labor of the editing process to the debacle of writing the novelization of a movie, Brooks is honest and informative. He gives glimpses into his own beginnings and inspiration without seeming self-absorbed. He points future writers in the direction of hard work and quality craft. He offers a wonderful look into the joys of fiction. Stephen King and Anne Lamott have written sublime books on the world of an author, and now Terry Brooks adds to the list a book worthy of his predecessors. If I had any doubts about his writing, I've now put those aside. Time for me to grab one of his novels!
Rating:
Summary: This book has turned me into a Terry Brooks fan!
Review: SOMETIMES THE MAGIC WORKS is Terry Brooks's personal tribute to the writing life. I have had no prior interest in the fantasy genre, but I am now a Brooks fan and will comb the stacks for his bestselling titles. His love for the writing craft glimmers like a diamond throughout the book. In the early chapters, he pictures the writer as observer, at times detached from the reality of mundane experience. He surmises that an author gathers smoke when appearing to "not be all there" and that smoke contains the meat of his creative imaginings, out of which comes perspective and a viewpoint. He contends that all writers must step outside the real world to be successful. Each chapter in SOMETIMES THE MAGIC WORKS is prefaced by a quotation from Brooks that summarizes its content. Early in the book, he reveals his experience with first publication. "Luck with a capital "I" plays a large part in his success story and confirms his belief that "sometimes the magic really works." It is here where he talks about the couple who first believed in his work, editors Lester and Judy-Lynn del Rey. References are made to them throughout the remainder of his story. "It's Not About You" is a section devoted to Brooks's first experience at a book signing. It is humorous and witty, a philosophical statement about the author's role in the event. He emphasizes that the reading public has the option to buy or not to buy. The writer's ego need not interfere when would-be buyers chat, then walk away without a purchase. Publicity tours are, in his opinion, necessary and the opportunity to thank the reading public. Several chapters deal with Brooks's first experience with screenwriting, a bitter pill in the memory bank. Relegated to the post of distant observer, he was denied active participation in the filming process. For many years he refused to entertain a repeat. The meat of SOMETIMES THE MAGIC WORKS lies in the pages offering the writer real ideas, an aid in finding his own magic. Brooks states that, for him, outlining is a must. He spends considerable time in justifying the method. He confirmed my preconceived notion that the outline is a worthwhile tool. The simple formula he gives for success is "Read, Read, Read. Outline, Outline, Outline. Write, Write, Write. Repeat." The formula allows him to do one draft and one rewrite before the work is done. The outline point made, he continues advice with his ten rules for writing in subsequent pages. Each idea, from "Write What You Know" to "Don't Bore The Reader," is fully developed, with examples from Brooks's own writing. He uses an impromptu writing exercise to illustrate each point, a glimpse into his vast imagination. Following the rules section, the author explains that a day with his small grandson, Hunter, taught him volumes about the writing life, or rather what it should be as an observer of real life. For him, the writer must live outside the moment to make progress on his journey to success. To write fiction, one must have determination, instinct and passion. Brooks sums up the words behind his title in his final statement, "Writing. Is life. Breathe deeply of it." SOMETIMES THE MAGIC WORKS is a fitting tribute to his life's passion. --- Reviewed by Judy Gigstad
Rating:
Summary: An incredible read!! Nothing lower than five stars!!
Review: Terry Brook's book Some Times the magic works, was a wonderful read. This book was an interesting, funny, and enlightening story. There was a lesson to be learned with the turn of every page. It was absolutely everything I wanted in a writing book and everything I expected out of Terry. Terry's humble acceptance of his own mistakes and imperfections was a breath of fresh air. I would suggest the book to not only writers but also any one who likes a good story.
I am a writer my self and on the road of understanding. Terry makes things a little less confusing.
Rating:
Summary: Terry Brooks is a Master
Review: Terry Brooks is probably one of the greatest writers of our time, and now he shares his life, experience, and skills with us in this wonderful book. I've loved Terry Brooks' works since the first day I read "The Scions of Shannara." He paints wonderful pictures in your mind, and continues to every time I pick up one of his novels. Now that I can read about his own experience in being an author, it makes his stories deeper. Pick up this book if u get the chance, and also read my favorite of his works, "Running With the Demon", the greatest book I have ever read...
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