See Jane Write - A Girls Guide to Writing Chick Lit - Sarah Mlynowski and Farrin Jacobs - Book Review

Pages: 191

Published: 2006

Date Finished:29^th January 2011

Rating: 5 stars

I was very eager to read this book and it was well worth the money spent. Once I started I found it hard to stop and every page inspired me. It didn’t feel like I was reading a book, as Sarah and Farrin’s direct and friendly approach reminded me of being in a writing group where everyone is open and honest and its okay to have a laugh at yourself and with others.

What I loved about this book is that it didn’t make me feel inadequate to write a chick-lit, instead it provoked me to challenge myself even through the ideas process and while the authors made it clear it wasn’t as easy as sitting down, banging it out and enjoying the cocktails that follow publication; it gave me direction, motivation and support.

Touching on topics from developing an idea, to grammar and publication, See Jane Write offered me some valuable tips on how to outline and brainstorm clearly and when I tried it in practice I was able to effectively sort out the ideas in my brain and put them down on paper without the consistent confusion I get when I try organize my thoughts.

There are lots of diagrams, examples, pictures and other authors’ input that is not only accommodating to the beginner writer, but is simple to understand even for the more experienced novelist. There is also a list of books written by the authors who contributed their advice, offering endless reading experiences which are great for those readers seeking to try new authors.

Anyone who has ever thought about writing chick-lit can take something from this book, if not only the experience to enjoy a good laugh and to see how others have started and kept going.