Today You Write the Book: The Keys to Start Your Novel (2nd Edition) (Book) - 3/14/2016 2:15:26 PM
Today You Write the Book by Ben Parris is a useful instruction guide for beginning novelists, calling out questions writers should be asking throughout the writing process and providing clear answers to these prompts. This is an educational read in a relatable tone that is not overly academic. The section regarding Dialogue Tags strongly reminds me of a writing course I took in which the instructor’s lessons closely paralleled Parris’ explanation of how to represent who is speaking in the story.
Parris nicely motivates readers to write, offering smart metaphorical descriptions such as his comparison of the construction of a story to the building of a house. He offers exercises and quizzes, an interaction that kept me interested and involved in the reading. From The Three Kinds of Writers (Parris 4-8), I discovered my technique is “builder” and learned strategies for successfully improving this minimalist style.
Three of the most important aspects of Today: chapter exercises, Inventory of Needs (Parris 49-50) and The Hammer Method (Parris 126-128). The exercises provide an excellent means of solidifying the lessons being learned; I always find this method to help retain what I have read. Parris’ Inventory of Needs provides a solid guide of what writers and their readers must know about a story’s central characters. The Hammer Method offers beneficial tips on overcoming writer’s block.
There were two sections of the book I did not admire as much as I did the rest of it. While the majority of this compilation is simple for beginning writers to follow, Chapter Six (Outlining and Order) is much more advanced and difficult to keep up with. I found the same to be true with Exposition in Dialogue: The Special Case (Chapter 9).
Overall, I enjoyed reading Today You Write the Book and would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking to gain tips on writing a novel. I appreciated Parris’ recommendation to join a writing community—this is an excellent way for new writers to experience sharing their work and putting to use the valuable feedback offered by others.
Mars Armor Forged (Book) - 7/15/2015 11:08:05 AM
This book surrounding the first Winter Olympics held on Mars does not disappoint. The world Parris creates and the accompanying science that makes it possible are fascinating and explained in a way that allows all readers to understand. The characters are interesting and unique and the plot itself is very fast-paced and well-thought out. Highly recommended to any science fiction lovers out there.
Today You Write the Book: The Keys to Start Your Novel (2nd Edition) (Book) - 7/15/2015 10:49:46 AM
This book is incredibly helpful for first-time writers interested in getting published. Parris gives excellent, clear advice by walking writers step by step through the process of book writing. Along with helpful exercises and examples, this book not only shows readers the process through which they can succeed but also gives them the incentive to look within, understand what kind of writer they are, and play to their strengths. All writers will find this book useful.
