Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: A Book Review

If a writer only ever reads one writing book, let this one be it.

I liked the original Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder, but this one took his methods above and beyond for novel writers. Jessica Brody has such a great writer's voice that makes this book not only informative, but enjoyable to read. Her organization is impeccable, her inspiration is refreshing, and her tips and tricks about novel writing are worthy of highlighting. This book has become my Bible for writing, and it truly is "The last book on novel writing you'll ever need."

I love Brody's breakdown of the book. Much of it is similar to Snyder's, but this book is so much more approachable for writers. She begins with a chapter on creating a story-worthy hero, which is my favorite chapter of the book. Using a lot of recent, mainstream novel examples, she helps the reader figure out how to make a strong character before anything else - no pages of character information sheets needed. What a relief.

She then breaks down the Snyder-famous Beat Sheet, again using a lot of recent examples such as Because of Winn-Dixie, Hunger Games, Me Before You, The Martian, and so many more. I think her strength in this section is clarifying the Beat Sheet. I remember reading Snyder's Save the Cat! and getting confused on all the separate beats. But Brody breaks it down even more in relation to characters and their transformations. Her relevant examples from recent literature also help.

The chunk of this book is spent going into each of the novel "genres," which are basically the different ways a character can transform. For each genre, she has a complete Beat Sheet from a modern novel. Even though I like some genres more than others, each one was entertaining and informative. Seeing various Beat Sheets was also helpful to solidify each genre in my mind.

The last section of this book talks about book pitches, (which can help a writer face the terrifying question, "What are you writing about?") and a chapter titled "Save the Author!," which gives lots of tips and inspiration for writers who want to start using Save the Cat!. It gives an uplifting end to a book chuck-full of novel structure and character transformations.

After reading this book, I felt inspired to write and confident that I could give my best effort on my first draft, knowing the Beat Sheet and character transformation strategies. Brody is still very clear that no matter how you plot and use the Beat Sheet, you will always have to revise and change. But knowing all of this structure and other writing tips gives me the confidence I need to start and keep writing. I had my doubts before, but now I have no doubt that Jessica Brody was the perfect author to rewrite this book for novelists. I am infinitely grateful for a woman I met at a writing conference that told me about this book, and I am so ECSTATIC it was everything I hoped for and more.

As I said, this book is my new Bible for writing.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Content: 5
Inspiration/Value: 5
Overall: 5

Would I recommend? Absolutely YES. To ALL novelists.

To see my review of the original Blake Snyder Save the Cat!, click here.

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Big Magic: A Book Review

I'll start with a disclaimer: I've never read Elizabeth Gilbert before, so I can't compare this to her other works. But from this book, I can say I like her writing style. She has an easy, conversational tone that jumps off the page and into the reader's soul. She has sass, strong opinions (which were interesting to consider, but I didn't always agree with), experience with craft, and the gift of encouragement, which is what every writer needs.

Some of her points on writing with devotion, courage, and the writing life ring with truth. Basically, this book felt like an updated, Gilbert-version of On Writing by Stephen King, which I also love. However, some of Gilbert's points on voodoo inspiration were hard for me to grasp. I don't think I believe in voodoo. But it was entertaining to consider. I also love Gilbert's topics in this book that she organizes into sections: Courage, Enchantment, Permission, Persistence, Trust, and Divinity. I think my favorite is Persistence.

Gilbert's book is unique in the way that it doesn't just lend itself to writers, but creators of all kinds. She does focus on writing more because her craft is writing. But I feel there are enough general points on inspiration, ideas, imagination, and craft that anyone could benefit from this read. I did. My book's pages are full of underlining.

I plan on incorporating this book into my regular reading list because of its inspirational value. After reading this, I made a commitment to devote myself to my writing and rereading the parts I underline give me inspiration and motivation to keep that commitment.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Content: 3.5
Inspiration/Value: 5
Overall: 4

Would I recommend? Yes, to all creators.

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel: A Book Review

I can't remember the last time a book made me sob. Perhaps this had to do with the fact that I finished it late at night, when emotions are always more present. Or perhaps because this was an EMOTIONAL and FABULOUS book.

This wonderful piece of literature explores the story of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving from a woman's perspective: Katrina Van Tassel. A fascinating idea, yes? It follows all the major plot points of the short story: the competing love of Ichabod Crane and Brom Bones, the Headless Horseman, hauntings, etc. However, Alyssa Palombo adds in her own elements such as an amazing friendship between Katrina and Charlotte, rumored to be a witch, and pure EMOTION that I feel is missing in the original tale. Hence the sobbing. And the inability to put this book down for four hours. I'm not kidding.

As with every book, I have some reservations with it. First, lots of present sex scenes, which was uncomfortable for me. And frankly, not needed. However, they can easily be skipped. Also, is it possible to hate a character so much that you want to tear the pages of the precious book you hold in your hands? I. Hate. Brom. Bones.

All in all, this book lives up to the tale of Sleepy Hollow. Perfect book for Halloween, and perfect if you don't want to sleep, eat, or take bathroom breaks. Alyssa Palombo's voice is engaging, historically accurate, and refreshingly original. And beautiful. Her characters are real, heartbreaking, and seem to leap off the page. A truly masterful book.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 4*

Would I recommend? YES, though hesitantly to readers who, like me, could do without sex scenes.  *This is why its ultimate score is a 4 out of 5.  Though it's a great read for those who love mystery, romance, magic, witchcraft, suspense, and solid writing.

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Introverted Fangirl

Guess what? I met Colleen Houck. THE Colleen Houck, author of the Tiger’s Curse series, Reawakened series, and her newly-released book The Lantern’s Ember.

For the first time in my twenty-year-old life, I participated in a book signing where I met Colleen Houck. Fangirl style.

In promoting her newest book, The Lantern’s Ember, she came to Barnes & Noble in Orem, Utah for a book signing. Even in the midst of all my textbooks to read, papers to write, and assignments to complete, I put them aside for the evening.  I just had to be there.

I’ll let you in on a little secret about how much I love Colleen Houck. I have read her Tiger’s Curse series FIVE times in the past four-ish years. Houck’s writing is familiar and clear and her characters are relatable, interesting, and lovable. Also, the whole India-based mythical plot is a delight to read. The chance to meet Colleen Houck was too much to ignore.

With two of my favorite books from the Tiger’s Curse series in hand (Tiger’s Curse and Tiger’s Voyage), I sat near the back of the small book signing, on the edge of my seat.

Then, there she was. Dressed in full Halloween gear: a black corset, vibrant orange shirt, a black tulle skirt, stockings, buckled shoes, and a small top hat pinned to the side of her hair. And I stared open-mouthed and smiling, like a proper fangirl.

Colleen Houck started the event by pitching her new book, The Lantern’s Ember, which I have reviewed here. And while I didn’t love The Lantern’s Ember as much as the Tiger’s Curse series, I love Houck enough to make up for anything she writes.

After the pitching, she answered questions. At this moment, I failed as a fan girl, too shy to ask any question. But I did write down much of what she said. Here are a few points that I loved:

•  Her favorite character to write out of all the books she’s written is Mr. Kadam. My heart almost burst when she said this. I love Mr. Kadam (from the Tiger's Curse series)

• When asked about writer’s block, Houck said writers don’t get to have writer’s block. A writer must treat writing like a real job. You don’t go into a real job and say, “I’m not feeling it today, I think I’ll just not work.” If treated like a real job, a writer can get the work done.

• For inspiration, Houck has huge databases where she keeps phrases from books she likes, pictures from Pinterest, snippets of research, and anything else that could create inspiration during a rough writing day. 

As a writer, I took these last two points to heart.  It's a special thing to receive writing tips from one of your favorite authors.

Then the giveaways. By some stroke of luck, both me and my husband won Reawakened purses filled with Halloween candy. With our goody purses slung on our shoulders and my books in my arms, we made our way to the signing line. I stamped my books with official Tiger’s Curse stamps (*squeal*), and then came the moment the fangirl in me had been waiting for: the signing.

I stood silent and in awe as Colleen Houck wrote my name, a short note, and her signature in my Tiger’s Curse books. As an afterthought, I also gathered the Reawakened series off the shelf and had her sign those too. Before leaving, I shyly asked for a picture and then walked away, having said nothing I’d planned to say.

I discovered something about myself from that book signing. I am, irrevocably, an introverted fangirl. As Colleen Houck wrote my name with flowing handwriting in one of my favorite books, I was shrieking inside. But I let none of that show. I’m an introvert, through and through.

Sure, if I could go back, I would try to fangirl by gushing about how much I love the Tiger’s Curse series and how impressed I am at her world-building and plot ideas and how we should be best friends. But I am equally content with how things actually went.  It was special enough for me to meet one of my literary heroes.

I can’t wait to start the Reawakened series after I’m finished with all my textbooks to read, papers to write, and assignments to complete. If you want to read Colleen Houck, start with Tiger’s Curse series. You’ll love the romantic, Indian-themed, mythical fantasy. Then please cross your fingers with me that she comes back to Utah for another signing soon, because meeting her a second time would be just as exciting as the first.

The Witch of Willow Hall: A Book Review

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I started this book expecting nothing. It completely blew me away. Really. I LOVED this book and couldn’t put it down in the two days I read it. I feel like I’ve been waiting for a book like this for a long time, and it delivered with perfection.

Set in a nineteenth century gothic setting, this story follows Lydia Montrose, who doesn’t know she’s a witch. Her family flees scandalous rumors in Boston and makes a home in Willow Hall. Throughout the book, Lydia battles who she is and what she can do, as well as the hauntings at Willow Hall and her relationships with her sisters. And, of course, there is a beautiful, brooding, Heathcliff-like man (but kinder than Heathcliff) who helps the story along.

First, I love the gothic, creepy setting. Willow Hall is mysterious with its secrets and beautiful, empty halls. On the grounds, there is a pond in a forest, weeping willows, and the lingering motif of death. I love the continuous rain and all the secrecy. The setting draws you in with its originality and intrigue. I could read this book just for the setting!

But the characters are even better than the setting. They are completely original, unique, have depth, and you can’t help but love every single one. They seem like real people with real thoughts and desires and mannerisms! It is so refreshing to read. As a main character, Lydia is completely likable because she is not the special one. Overshadowed by her flirty and beautiful older sister, Lydia is sensible, smart, and caring, but isn’t very noticeable to others. However, she is interesting and lively and as a reader, I feel drawn to her. I also never got frustrated with her, which is big for me, as I often get frustrated with whiny, secret-keeping, big-headed characters. I just love Lydia.

I also love John Barrett. I love his brooding, kindness, sensibility, and loyalty. If you have some attraction for Heathcliff (you can admit it), you will love John. Always secretive, worrying and serious, but infinitely kind, he is the kind of man a girl could love. He’s so different from any other Prince Charming character, which adds to his charm and makes him fascinating. And I’ll admit, he’s officially my new book crush.

I love all the other characters too: Lydia’s sisters, Ada and Joe, the townspeople, and others (not of this world). As I mentioned before, they all have depth and desires driving their actions, even the smallest of characters. I also love the reality of Lydia’s relationship with her sisters, good and bad. It drives the story and gives it relatability and tension.

Hester Fox is a brilliant writer. Never were there cliches, as many nineteenth-century historical fictions thrive on. Her writing is fresh, clever, entertaining, and clear. This gothic mystery mixed with a bit of romance and horror is unlike anything I’ve read, and I am so thrilled to have read this book. I know, without a doubt, I will be rereading this.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Would I recommend? YES, for all those who love mystery, tension, romance, magic, and lovely writing.

This book will be released October 2nd, 2018.

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

The Lantern's Ember: A Book Review

*I received an ARC from Delacorte Press (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.*

As a big fan of Colleen Houck’s Tiger’s Curse series, I was excited to start this Halloween spin-off tale. I was surprised at the difference in style between the two (having not read the Reawakened series, I can only compare to Tiger’s Curse).  For a quick summary of what this book is about, click here.

First, Houck chose to write in third person omniscient (looking into the point of view of all main characters). While it was interesting to get inside the heads of so many distinct characters like witches, lanterns, vampires, and humans, I felt I was missing the character depth I felt familiar with in Tiger’s Curse. Because of this, my connection to the main characters felt dry. Often, I asked myself, “This is interesting and all, but why should I care?” Additionally, so many characters were introduced at different parts of the novel that the omniscient view became disorienting. BUT, I thought the different “Halloween” characters were entertaining. Houck’s imagination created interesting characters based on folklore we all know: the boogeyman, jack o’ lanterns, witches, vampires, and Frankenstein’s monster. So I will give her that.

Another thing I struggled with was the worlds in which The Lantern’s Ember takes place: the mortal world and the Otherworld. I never felt like I could fully settle into the setting. Although it was consistent, it felt too strange and unbelievable to me. This is probably because it combined folklore, a world of corsets and bustles, science, and technology. It was a bit overwhelming.

As for the plot, Houck did well with making it feel like a fairytale retelling. However, I did lose interest before I reached the midpoint and didn’t regain it until 70% through the book. The middle section was, frankly, boring and missing some tension and character growth. Not to mention having random, long sections of exposition.

This all being said, I’m giving it three stars despite of its faults because of creativity and a satisfying ending. Here’s a further breakdown:

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 2
Character Development: 2
Overall: 3

Would I recommend? Sure. I would especially recommend to those who love fantasy, Halloween, and folklore.

This book will be released September 11th, 2018.

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Save the Cat: A Book Review

I first heard about this book when I met my first real writer. She hadn’t been published (yet), but I remember my admiration at her immovable schedule of writing every day.

“How do you write a book?” I asked.

“I write every day,” she told me, “and read Save the Cat.”

Since that day, Save the Cat has sat on my to-read shelf on Goodreads for years and has been added and removed from my Amazon cart many times.

At a recent young adult noveling conference I attended, speakers and writers praised Save the Cat and I added it to my Amazon cart again. I finally purchased it in desperation, looking for some much-needed plot advice for my current novel. I read it over a span of a week.

Did it live up to the hype? Maybe.

The reason for hesitation is this: I didn’t feel like it changed the way I look at writing and story. But I think the reason for this is that Save the Cat is an application book. I don’t think it’s meant to be read cover to cover, but rather referenced when applying his plotting principles. I have yet to try his plot formula. But I think this book will be helpful when I do.

Even though Save the Cat is a screenwriting book, it’s still valuable for novelists. Why? Blake Snyder’s ability to recognize plot points in successful movies connects to plot points needed in novels. A story is a story, no matter the form, and Blake Snyder conveys his secrets of writing an interesting, character-driven story.

While it’s not the greatest writing book I’ve ever read (my favorites are Bird by Bird and Spilling Ink), I will turn back to it for developing plot. Perhaps after application of his book, my appreciation for it will grow and it will make my favorites list. We’ll see.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3.5
Content: 4
Readability: 5
Overall: 4

Would I recommend? Sure.

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

All the Bright Places: A Book Review

I finished this book last week, but I still don’t know if I’m emotionally ready to write about this book. I don’t think I can form cohesive, meaningful sentences the way I want to. So I’m going to sum it up and say that All the Bright Places reminded me of a mix between the romance and parental relationships in The Fault in our Stars and the grittiness in Bone Gap. It was a book that I didn’t want to like, but ended up loving because of deep characters and Jennifer Niven’s way of weaving mental health and suicide into a loving, purposeful story. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. I love books with emotion.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4.5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 3.5
Overall: 4

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

The Road: A Book Review

This is another book I don’t want to part with. Although I do feel somewhat relieved to be free from its grittiness and stress. Still, Cormac McCarthy’s breathless, chilling, and masterful writing is of the most beautiful and real I’ve encountered. I want to live within his writer’s voice and hope I can see the world and its people the same way he writes about them.

Throughout this book, here are some recurring thoughts that I had:

How the heck is this going to end?
The dialogue. *fulfilling sigh* The dialogue.
This is stressful.
But beautiful and real.
I can’t put this down.

While this book did have lots of death, injury, and frightening moments (what can you expect from a post-apocalyptic survival story?), I didn’t feel pushed beyond my limit. Cormac McCarthy artfully pairs the ugly with the hopeful. This is one of my favorite parts of the book: the ugly with the hopeful. And I loved how I felt like I traveled the road with the man and the boy and felt everything they did, even though I know I couldn’t really come close to feeling what they experienced. That’s a sign of a great novel.

The Road takes place as one of my favorites of all time, with a whopping five stars.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Would I recommend? YES

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Tess of the Road: A Book Review

 

Not knowing Tess of the Road is a companion novel to Seraphina, a New York Times bestseller, I dove right into it, trying to make sense of emotionless dragons, wicked saints, and a main character named Tess who is often drunk and violent at the beginning, but a dreamer.

It took me about a hundred pages to trust Tess and feel invested in her quest of traveling the Road. But when I did, I was struck by Tess’s originality and good qualities: she’s kind, curious, loyal, and witty. Soon, following Tess’s journey on the Road became a pleasure.

I don’t want to go into specifics of what Tess encounters on the Road in case you read it, but I will say Tess is tested in the ways of friendship, honesty, morality, physical strength, and spirituality. She’s an interesting character to follow, mostly because of her secret past, revealed throughout the book. She’s the main reason I write this book review: I want to remember Tess. I’m claiming her as an imaginary friend.

If you don’t read the book for Tess, read it for her world. The setting in Tess of the Road is amazingly dense, though easy to accept. Though the fashion and mannerisms take place back in medieval times, technology is somewhat advanced (picture a chair with moving, metal legs). Additionally, there are all kinds of different creatures: dragons, World Serpents, and Quigutl (lizard-like descendants of dragons). This setting is its own character - something to explore and understand. It’s a setting I wish I could have written.

Expect an entertaining journey when reading Tess of the Road. I did. As Tess travels the Road, she discovers she running towards something, not just running away. The whole book is a grand metaphor. If you like Harry Potter and Goose Girl, this is the book for you.

Here are my ratings out of five stars:

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 5
Overall: 4

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Poetry Under Stars

It’s too cold to be outside, but we take blankets out. We can’t resist the stars. After a moment of looking, guessing constellations, Abigail opens up her poets.org and I my Emily Dickinson. Without explanation, we take turns reading. Abigail reads with her gusto, words shooting from her mouth like they’re trying to escape to the stars. I read hesitantly, not belonging to this world of poetry Abigail loves. But we are friends, and tonight is one night that will be perfect as we huddle on a damp blanket, reading words I can’t understand, but words that light up her soul – I can see it in her eyes. This is our friendship: watching Abigail become enlightened at the touch of anything beautiful while I look on, wishing I could understand and feel and become. Wishing I could produce something as beautiful as her soul.

Words on a Page

There is something about words on a page. Words made up of single letters and pages made of words – all interacting on the physical print of a page and in the minds of readers. These words strung together make emotion, tension, and story. Simple letters combined into words, combined into pages, combined into books, combined into ideas. Ideas and books I love.

March 1st is World Book Day. Kids across the globe dress up like their favorite book characters for school – Dr. Seuss hats, various princess dresses, and Robin Hood garb show up in classrooms, and teachers monitor fake swords, plastic bows and arrows, and Thor’s hammer (though they may wonder if comics count as books). These kids celebrate words made up of single letters that turn into pages, books, and ideas. It is a day of personal connections to our quiet characters.

Books hold a special place in my life. My battery life data on my phone will tell you Goodreads is among my most visited apps and my husband will tell you I spend almost every allowance on a novel or two. Students studying at tables in the BYU library will tell you I visit the young-adult section almost every week, pacing among the tall shelves, often with a load in my arms and my coat swishing against my legs.

My heart will tell you that books hold a perpetual longing for me. A place not of escape, but of blessed inclusion in life. Escape seems too negative a term to be associate with books. They offer solitary inclusion – a way of looking and feeling the world in quiet and discovering your place in it.

In celebration of World Book Day, I reflect on books that have offered me a connection to life and have helped me discover a place. Books that showed me what life was like, how to love, how to understand. In special remembrance, almost as if recalling first elementary crushes, I list some of them here, with the accompanying memories.

Tess of the d’Urbervilles. A story of choice, rape, longing, personal discovery, hope, forgiveness, and love. I discovered my place as a woman and as someone who loves. Someone who accepts hard things.

The Rent Collector. A story of stories, reading, and opportunity. I discovered my place as an influencer because I read.

Spilling Ink. A book of writing. I discovered my place as an imaginer and a creator of worlds and people. A writer of letters, words, books, and ideas.

East. A story of legend, trust, discovery, love, and journeying. I discovered my place as one who journeys for important people, places, and ideas.

Unbroken. A story of suffering, hope, survival, and love. I discovered my place as one who is small, but infinitely important.

These are just a few. You can see more of my favorites on Goodreads. What will you do in celebration of World Book Day? What books do you hold in special remembrance? I’d love to hear!