Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly

This is oneof the best “writing advice” books I have stumbled across in ages. It is for the YA group, and written for that level of understanding both for young wirters and those who write YA genre material. There are exercises included that will help break the mold of what and how you write, forcing you to take concepts that may be total tropes, or might be outside your experience, and turn them into learning experiences. I know those exercises have driven me crazy, but my pre-readers are seeing a marked difference in my work. Thank you, Gail Levine!

Perhaps the most honest and concise introduction to fiction writing at least for the young adults bitten by the writing bug. With only cursory knowledge of who Gail Carson Levine was, I purchased the book on her professional contribution and was pleasantly surprised by her effective and intimate approach to writing. While somewhat patronizing to the pre-teens it is intended to, it is nevertheless a worthy read by anyone who would like to get into writing short stories.

Writing Magic is writing and advice guide by fantasy author Gail Carson Levine who combines her professional and personal writing experience. Best known for her first published book, Ella Enchanted, was written after a series of published works which adds to her credibility. Across 30 chapters and little less than 200 pages, Mrs. Levine takes the reader across the world of writing (primarily for entertainment) providing simple explanations to important elements of a good story such as character building, world-building, conflict, dialogue, writer’s block, etc. Accompanying each chapter is comparable writing prompts to encourage the reader to just simply write, and hopefully start on a long journey of writing for fun.

Despite not being in the demographic the book was intended for, I still found it a unique challenge to keep up. While there is a perceptible childish prose to the book that may annoy more serious readers like myself, the concise descriptions and writing prompts stood out for how deceptively simple they were to a writer like myself. Usually, I stick to professional writing like the type you are reading but once in a while I do to into forays in fictional writing, that for various reasons, goes unfinished. Now I am seriously thinking about going back – the writing prompts challenge the reader on almost every aspect of writing but going outside the comfort zone. Perhaps the greatest advice offered is the encouragement to just keep writing expressed in response to writers block and the self-criticism, you just have to keep writing sometimes. I know it can be a long, difficult, and monotonous chore there is a unique satisfaction in finishing a paragraph, a page, and ultimately a book.

Well, no doubt I have probably only regurgitated what most of the positive reviews have already mentioned intended for budding tween writers, the author does well in providing a map into the world of fiction story writing that older, novice writers might do well in reviewing themselves. My review is based on the kindle version the presentation is indistinguishable on tablet, e-ink, and app presentations.

It’s honestly a shame I didn’t run into this book when I was much younger and at the beginning of my writing career. I probably would have devoured and adored this book back then. As it was, I ended up being perhaps a bit old for the target audience and far too familiar with practical writing advice. So I ended up mostly just nodding along and not learning anything new.

Still, it’s Gail Carson Levine, and she writes in such a fun and engaging way that I still ended up reading the whole thing anyway. If that’s not a testament to her skill, I’m not sure what is. Something about her writing is just engaging and soothing all at once.

I may not be the perfect target audience for this book at this point in my life, but I can at least recognize the help it could provide to someone who IS in the right demographic. If I run into any young budding writers who need a word of encouragement, I’ll be quick to give them this as a gift.

I love love this book! I needed something to help my daughter to start writing or getting ideas in preparation for a summer writing camp. I wanted her to get the most out of the camp and not be “stuck” if she was asked to do different things. I think this book is great because it has encouraged her to write, and be creative. There are no wrong answers… save everything! The chapters are short and to the point. Creativity is welcome, it’s not “restricting”. My daughter was excited when she read the part that the author wrote “Ella Enchanted”!!! She started cheering! I made her read that chapter out loud, because I knew she would react that way!

Where to start?! I cannot say enough great things about this book. Full disclosure; I am NOT the target audience for this as I’m well over the age this was written for. However, this is one of the best books on reading that I have come across. As an adult you’ll likely whiz through it in one sitting but the advice provided is absolutely invaluable. After reading, I passed the book along to my teenage son to read, I’ll likely even give it to my 17 year old daughter as well.

The book offers practical, sage advice along with writing assignments to tackle along the way. While I didn’t undergo the writing assignments I believe that they would be very useful to any youth reading this book as it provides a structured way of writing and helps them put advice into motion.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member