Review: Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell

Here is my current read.  I think reading books like this is what causes me to feel such stress when I think about the business of books.  This is my second time through this particular book.  I have, in the second reading, learned a great deal more.  The LOCK system for example did not really stick the on my first time through.  The first time I  read it was a bit overwhelming.  I think at one point I threw it in the air and said, "I have no idea what I am doing."  That was about a year ago.  

This time as I read the book,  I realize that sense of stress I had was because I was trying to FIT all the ideas into my writing style.  BIG mistake. It is important to remember that the ideas are presented and some will resonate with some authors and some will not. What is important to remember is each chapter shares many exercises that if used will deepen your skills in both plot and structure. I have implemented several of the techniques because of the exercises that I completed.  (I must admit I did not do the exercises the first time around; and that was a mistake.)

This particular writer is probably one of my favorites on the craft of writing.  I love that Mr. Bell does give so many ideas and examples that he acknowledges that writing can be taught and that he has practical ideas to spur on creativity. I have also learned to read like a writer and write like a reader because of some of his books.  Clearly he understands the way to craft a novel.  I love his sense of humor as well.   

This is a staple book for any writer, at any level. I would suggest, as does he, that one would read it multiple times. I am finding especially with craft books that the more you read them the deeper your knowledge develops.  I am hoping that a few of my other books on writing will prove to be as helpful and a deep well that I can continue to return for more and more inspiration.

If you have any thought or comments, please add them below.

This book gets : 4.5/5

   

Children's Lit, Who knew

My EDU class has had several great assignments this term.  I think the last three have been my favorites. Perhaps because the books are more the middle school level.  I mean that in a positive way.  I love children's books.  I just enjoy reading books with more depth.

First  I read a biography of Will Smith which was awesome. If you know any kids looking to do a book report  his life story is inspiring and interesting. The name of the book was Will Smith : A biography of a rapper turned movie star.  There was only a few places that I was disappointed by the author's bias peeking through but I got over it.  I was offended once, but again, I am not the target audience.

Then I read Patrica Clapp: Jane Emily and Witches Children for our historical novel.  I only read  Witches Children, but plan to return and read Jane Emily. This story took place during the Salem witch trials and had a very interesting perspective.  Great book to introduce the 1620's Puritan culture.  


The Friends was this week's assignment. This is a multi-cultural novel which was translated to English in 1997.  The story takes place in Japan and because it was written by a Japanese author for a Japanese audience, one really gets a sense of the culture.  It is interesting to see how the Japanese boys in this book are so like every little American kid in some ways but in others they are completely different.  I mean could you imagine, telling your sixth grader that they need to go to "cram school"?  This is not even up for discussion, it is what they do!  Every day after school they went to "cram school" to study and prepare (wait for it) to take admissions test into JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL!  It also opens up the beauty of the Japanese culture.  This is a coming of age story, that everyone can relate to, but seen through a different cultures point of view.  It also tackles the often uncomfortable notion of death.  I would recommend this book, but beware, it is translated, thus there are English errors.  The errors are often in dialogue and only makes the setting easier for a student to relate.

Okay with all that said and done, I wanted to say "Thank you" to my EDU professor (Renee Barstack)  for her intelligent and thought-provoking assignments.

Keep reading
Erika

 

Reviewing Reviews.

I have been reviewing some books over at Good Reads.  I spent a lot of time reading the reviews (by other readers) on a book by James Scott Bell called Plot and Structure.  You can get the book through Writer's Digest, in Book Stores or like everyone else in the world, order it on Amazon.

 I recently completed this book and was adding a review when I noticed a string of reviews that were in my opinion harsh and in some ways unwarranted.

When I ordered the book I had just finished reading an excellent book called " The Story Within" By:Laura Oliver.  Which I had also read several reviews.

What do both of these book have in common?  They are books written on the craft of writing.  I find book like these and several others to be inspiring and fun to read. I love reading about something that I love to do, write.

What I discovered while reviewing the reviews horrified me, writers are really hard on each other. Many of the reviews were from fellow craftspersons that seemed to be  looking to find the magic formula to success. (I believe the formula only exist in the form of lots of hard work.) I was heart-broken when I read a few reviews that bashed the authors and said they did not bring anything new to the reader. Must be nice to know everything about writing--you are telling me that you did not get inspired, nor find one thing that you said if even only to yourself  "Ahh that is a great idea."  HA!  I say poppy-cock!   If this is truly the case it may behoove you dear reader to reexamine the book, or for the benefit of all us others --write a book and enlighten us.

Here is my plea.  Writers, craftsmen and women, story tellers please lighten up.  I was deeply disheartened that some of my fellow writers felt they were entitled to tear apart another's work, simply because they felt the book didn't tailor to their needs.

The excellent writer is humble enough to recognize that (s)he can learn from every book on the craft.  Not one of these books said their preferred method of writing was the only way. In fact, I believe both of them clearly and repetitively stated that the ideas were just that, ideas and method that may work to increase or improve ones writing.  They simply presented ideas and ways to better ones skills.

Take this thought, do with it as you please but humble yourself seek out tidbits to make your writing stronger, not chunks to tear apart a fellow artist.  I implore you all to learn from each other and unless your name is Stephen King, J. K. Rowling, JD Robb (Nora Roberts) or some other amazing craftsperson that I don't have the time nor space to list take a self-evaluation, learn to learn, uplift each other. Be proud of your craft and confident in yourself to know you still got a lot to learn baby.  In fact, I would bet that the previously mentioned authors would agree they too are always learning from their peers.  

Just a thought for the day.  Now I'm going to go write!