Rating: 
Summary: Engaging and very useful
Review: Most "how to become a writer" books leave me cold, and I admit to never having read one of Carolyn See's novels (someone once gave me a copy of "Golden Days," and I lost interest on about p. 10). But a friend recommended this book to me, and to my surprise I was hooked from the first paragraph. Ms. See must be a terrific writing teacher: she knows how to get and keep your attention with humor, pithy bits of wisdom, and the occasional juicy anecdote about a Famous Writer; but along with this, she conveys an amazing amount of practical, useful information about the literary life and how to make it yours. Her remarks on the "postpartum depression" that follows completion of a book, and on how to handle rejection, were reassuring: writers' guides usually don't go into the emotional ups and downs of the writing/publishing process, but she's been through it all more than once, and is willing to share what she's learned. Her brief chapters on creating characters, time and space, point of view, etc. are likewise full of helpful suggestions (although I disagree with her generalization that male writers are plot-oriented and female writers are character-oriented: consider, for example, Agatha Christie!).While I strongly agree that the best way to become a writer is to WRITE, I find See's "1000 words, 5 days a week" formula to be no more or less useful than Julia Cameron's "morning pages" -- it's a good way to get started if you don't already write; but if (like me) you're a closet novelist and an inveterate journal-keeper, you'll have figured out your own writing rhythm by now (first thing in the morning, I can't even hold a pen, let alone form a sentence!). Her remarks about associating with people who support your writing are valuable, too: if you aren't getting encouragement from your family and friends, find it elsewhere; don't waste your effort trying to convert them. On the other hand, I think that See's "polite notes" suggestion may create a monster. Years ago, Richard Bolles opined that a job-seeker should set up "informational interviews" with companies he/she is interested in working for; I had a corporate job at the time, and found myself pestered with an endless procession of bright-eyed aspirants seeking "just an informational interview" (yeah, right). Then there was the "networking" mania a few years later, which left me, after every business gathering, with a pocketful of business cards from people who had otherwise made no impression on me ... I think it's a great idea to let a writer know that his/her book has made a difference in your life by sending a note (and/or writing a good review on Amazon.com!), and, if you're focusing on a particular magazine or press, it's good to cultivate a relationship with an editor. But I have a horrified vision of publishers being bombarded with millions of polite little notes in 3"x5" cream-colored envelopes, and I'm sure that most of them will go straight into the trash. As for the personal details: in the valuable book "This Time I Dance," Tama Kieves recounts how she aspired to write, but thought that published writers were exalted beings whom she could never hope to emulate. Then she signed up for a workshop with a real, live Published Writer, only to discover that she was an ordinary-looking woman with thick glasses and a sagging hemline. I think that See's personal story makes the book even more convincing: here's someone who has had a successful and productive literary life, but she's subject to the same emotional and domestic crises as the rest of us. If she can, we can! All in all, this is a great book, and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to an aspiring writer.
Rating:
Summary: The most REALISTIC writing handbook
Review: There are a lot of writing guides and publishing handbooks out there, and the majority of them make unrealistic promises and prophecies for a happy writing life.... As if all you need is a copy of Writer's Market (yep, it helps) and an extra hour of free time and a small dose of courage. We all know the formula doesn't always work -- and See is careful to remind us of the facts. The writing life ain't easy!
Furthermore, as See reminds us, getting published isn't always the answer to our dreams. Even if publishing does bring fleeting fame and a little extra cash, our friends and family are often the last to be pleased or impressed. I love the chapter on how to deal with so-called friends who are not supportive of your work as well as people who have trouble figuring out what to say (duh) about your published stuff. See's take on this is pure gold.
See shows us how to deal with personal and professional jealousy, sagging book sales, disinterested editors, and uninspiring days. Her book is funny, wise, useful, and very, very real.
Rating: 
Summary: Advice Yes......But Nothing New
Review: This book offers sensible advice for practicing writers and other so-called dreamers. It is well written but holds no surprises.
Carolyn See has offered her words of wisdom for anyone embarking on a literary life. Her approach is no nonsense and hands on but it seems to lack creativity. For any writer who has approached writing as a business rather than a creative project there is nothing new to be learned here. See suggests writing 1,000 words a day, pretending to be a writer, learning to write "charming notes" to other writer's and editor's, figuring out how to handle criticism and hanging out with others subjecting themselves to the same torture for the sake of their craft. At times See writes with great vision and offers practical support but at other times she drifts towards a personal memoir that is scattered and irrelevant. But for beginning writer's searching for advice on the business and some of the processes involved in paving that golden road towards publication this book is well worth delving into.
The process of writing is given great attention in this book by Carolyn See however it is geared towards the beginning writer trying to learn the ABC's of the business. See has been successful as a writer using her exercises and theories but she seems to lack creative vision in this book preferring instead to stay on the practical side. But overall this is a wonderful book to keep on your shelf for reference when all else fails and you are suffering from a bout of writer's block. With methodical precision See will have you back in the game.
Rating: 
Summary: A narrative instructor
Review: This book will not help you with the hard work necessary to become a writer. Instead it teaches you to create a "literary life" so you can dream you are part of the world of writers. The title is in fact quite honest; so is the author's quote about herself in the Intro: "Carolyn cares more about the writing life than she does about writing." I bought this book because several writers I admire recommended it, called it "original" and praised its practical advice. There is in fact very little advice about writing in the book which has not been given (more clearly and directly) by others (Dorothea Brande, Anne Lamott); and the few actual suggestions about writing are buried in an avalanche of humor so relentless that it soon becomes annoying. The few original ideas (e.g. "charming notes") are also just PR in a literary life, not advice that will help you to write those 1000 words each day.
|
