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keilexandraApparently I can't write anything these days without sounding pretentious, so I've given up trying. Sigh. Just a word of warning, as "anything" includes my miniature book reviews.
Genre: Nonfiction/Writing
161 pages (hardcover)
This concise little book is a creative writing guide for the young adult audience that still manages to pack in much worthy advice. Each chapter is only a few pages, covering topics from characterization to humor to fairytale retelling (a specialty of Levine's). The writing prompts were very useful, though again tailored for YA. Levine tells the reader repeatedly to have fun and save every word written. She also delves into how she worked through issues in her published novels, such as Ella Enchanted (a Newbery Honor winnter) and Dave at Night.
I've always loved Levine's expansion and dramatization of different fairytales--Ella Enchanted was my first "favorite book." Her style doesn't show as much in this nonfiction work, but I found it easy to read past the simple language for real gems about the art of writing. Levine even names one chapter "Suffer!" and that alone gives her a thumbs-up. What better advice for aspiring young writers? I only wish this book had existed a few years ago, when I first started writing stories.
Overall, Writing Magic would be a great resource for writers of all ages, though more as a quick read than a vital reference. The cover design is simply magical, and you all know how I'm a sucker for pretty covers.
Genre: Nonfiction/Writing
161 pages (hardcover)
This concise little book is a creative writing guide for the young adult audience that still manages to pack in much worthy advice. Each chapter is only a few pages, covering topics from characterization to humor to fairytale retelling (a specialty of Levine's). The writing prompts were very useful, though again tailored for YA. Levine tells the reader repeatedly to have fun and save every word written. She also delves into how she worked through issues in her published novels, such as Ella Enchanted (a Newbery Honor winnter) and Dave at Night.
I've always loved Levine's expansion and dramatization of different fairytales--Ella Enchanted was my first "favorite book." Her style doesn't show as much in this nonfiction work, but I found it easy to read past the simple language for real gems about the art of writing. Levine even names one chapter "Suffer!" and that alone gives her a thumbs-up. What better advice for aspiring young writers? I only wish this book had existed a few years ago, when I first started writing stories.
Overall, Writing Magic would be a great resource for writers of all ages, though more as a quick read than a vital reference. The cover design is simply magical, and you all know how I'm a sucker for pretty covers.
