Member Reviews

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  • Rated 4 stars

  “I just had to review this book because as an aspiring writer I found this book to be so much more helpful than any other writing book out there for me at least. I know that this was aimed towards more the young adult populace but I found it to be very encouraging and helpful. She gently yet firmly helps you how to become a writer, giving out tips and ideas, encouraging you to write "junk" (random words or sentences) if you ever got stuck. Step by step she helps you write out and flesh out your ideas, to not feel disheartened by criticism but using it to your advantage. Reading this book helped me to let go of my writers block and now because of it I feel like I can write forever!”

  Jenni L wrote this review Monday, September 29 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 5 stars

  “Grade Level: 6-12. Newbery Honor author Gail Levine provides a challenging and exciting guide for aspiring fiction authors. Ms. Levine has taught creative writing to children in a workshop that inspired this book. Written with grace and humor she offers guidance in letting the imagination soar. Recommended for schools with a focus on creative writing. (Gwen Clift, Media Specialist, Media Services.) ”

  Gwen C wrote this review Thursday, March 27 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 5 stars

  “Excellent book.”

  Hannah R wrote this review Monday, February 4 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 5 stars

  “This is a great how-to-write book by one of my favorite authors! ”

  Lydia G wrote this review Tuesday, January 15 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 5 stars

  “This is the best nonfiction book I have read in a long time. It makes you feel like you really can write stories and it would be great guide book for a writing class.”

  stephmtz wrote this review Sunday, September 30 2007. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 5 stars

  “Although WRITING MAGIC is geared towards young adults, this is the perfect helper for anyone who has ever wanted to write a book. Creating stories is hard work. It takes practice, discipline, and dedication. It would be nice to think that writing a book simply means sitting down and typing up words, but, alas, it really doesn't work that way. Thankfully, though, we have Gail Carson Levine, Newbery Honor author of some of my favorite books (ELLA ENCHANTED, THE TWO PRINCESSES OF BAMARRE, and the upcoming FAIREST, to name a few) who has taken the time to put together WRITING MAGIC. Filled with tons of wonderful tips about becoming a great writer who creates even greater stories, there are also writing exercises to get those creative juices flowing.
  
  The book is broken down into five sections, with several categories in each:
  
  Section one is entitled Liftoff, which includes A Running Start, Why I Wrote This Book, Shut Up!, Eureka!, Getting into It, and Noticing.
  
  Section two, Heart and Guts, includes The Nitty-Gritty, The Kiss of Life, Character Helper, Suffer!, Talking, Back to Beginnings, Where Am I?, Who Am I?, Voice, and Happily Ever After--Or Not.
  
  Section three, Plowing Through, includes Stuck!, The Operating Room, and Writers' Groups and Other Helpers.
  
  Section four, Digging Deeper, includes Show and Tell, Abracadabra!, I'd Recognize Her with My Eyes Closed, Speaking Body Language, Method Writing, Writing Funy/Writing Punny, The Right Moniker, and Fiddling with Fairy Tales.
  
  The final section, called Writing Forever, includes Writing for Your Spirit, Putting Your Words Out There, and Exeunt Writing.
  
  I loved the writing exercises included in WRITING MAGIC. From the simple (writing brief character descriptions) to the more advanced (writing convincing dialogue), this book is a great tool for anyone. If you've ever wondered how to get started writing a story, ever questioned how to get that great book idea down on paper, this is the guide for you. Pick up a copy of WRITING MAGIC, try the exercises, take Ms. Levine's words to heart, and you're guaranteed to write anything--story, e-mail message, diary entry--with an easier flow and style.
  
  Originally posted on www.teensreadtoo.com
  ”

  GeniusJen wrote this review Wednesday, July 25 2007. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 3 stars

  “A great writing book for young people, say, 14-18/”

  StephV67 wrote this review Sunday, June 10 2007. ( reply | permalink )