22 November 2007

How To Write Page-Turning Scenes

Quick Stats
Genre - Non-fic, writing help
Length - ~120 pages
Author - Holly Lisle

Overview
This is a fabulous book on the art of scene creation, and raising the stakes to make every scene conflicty and juicy. Holly takes a couple of chapters to give a working definition of a scene, and to define the different types of conflict (complete with exercises to practice the different types), before moving on to things like the art of storytelling through scenes, pacing, transitions and trouble-shooting for common problems.

High Points
Practical, easy to use, lots of exercises. I really like Holly's non-fic work on writing, and her style resonantes with me, so I usually find her books helpful :)

Low Points
? None come to mind.

Rating
This is a book for your writing desk, something you can quickly flick through when you need a refresher, and to keep handy both while plotting and drafting your novel ;)

10 comments:

Nayuleska said...

Nice one!

Um, I had to highlight the last few paragraphs because I can't easily read really faint grey on a grey background. Any chance you could use a different colour in the future?

Liana Brooks said...

gray on gray is hard to read... *pouts*

Amy Laurens said...

First off, I'm using a template, which means all the font colours are embedded in the html. I could try to change them, but I'd need to get my html-handy friend to help...

But secondly, it really shouldn't have put those last two paragraphs in grey *puzzled* It usually just posts in black. I'll see what I can do.

Nayuleska said...

*glares at template*

"You behave for Inky, you here me?"

Did it work?

Michelle D. Argyle said...

I'll have to check that book out. Looks like it could be helpful.

Thanks for the review, Inky.

Amy Laurens said...

Yuna, it kinda worked o.O

Glam, I found it quite useful, myself. Pacing and structure have always been my weak points :)

Don't forget, you could win it for free if you buy anything else (ie cheaper things!) from Holly's shop through my sidebar link :o) At the moment, your chances are pretty high...

Joan Reeves said...

Hey, Inkfever. Thanks for "following me" - in the best non-stalker sense.

Holly's book sounds like one I'd like to have. After all, my bookshelf hasn't collapsed yet from the weight of all those how to tomes. I'm going to order it from your website right now.

On the gray on gray issue, templates rarely give one all the features wanted. Kind of boils down to picking the majority of what you want and living with the rest. But yeah, the gray on gray is tough on the eyes. Other than that, very stylistic template.

Amy Laurens said...

Joan - the term 'following' has always amused me in this context, particularly when you can look up your profile and note that you have 'followers' %-)

Thanks for dropping by :)

I found the book really helpful - let me know what you think! :)

Joan Reeves said...

Got the book printed. It's residing on my night stand. Looking forward to reading it.

Amy Laurens said...

Do let me know what you think! :)

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