REVIEW - Wrede on Writing: Tips, Hints, and Opinions on Writing by Patricia C. Wrede

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Synopsis

How do I turn an idea into a novel? How do I build a character? How do I decide how to tell a story?
Patricia C. Wrede has been a stalwart of the sci-fi/fantasy world for decades, publishing dozens of books across multiple series, storming bestseller lists and corralling accolades from critics and fans alike. Now, with brilliant insight and a sparkling wit, Wrede shows beginning writers the ropes in WREDE ON WRITING.
How do I find the time to write? How do I decide when a book is finished? How do I get my book published?

Wrede tackles all issues for writers, from the basic how-to’s to the more advanced topics on character development and worldbuilding. In her conversational tone, she gives writers the tips and tricks her experience has brought. After WREDE ON WRITING, authors will have the knowledge to put their tools to better use. Thinking of starting a book? Trying to finish one? WREDE ON WRITING will guide you towards that superior draft to send to agents, to publishers, and to readers.
How do I calculate royalties? How do I plan my finances as an author? How do I write as a career?

Before she became a successful full-time writer, Patricia C. Wrede worked in finance, and she also provides for authors an extensive look at how to manage the money—from royalties to determining the financial potential of your next project, Wrede provides authors with deep insight into the business of writing.
A brilliant guide from a literary stalwart, WREDE ON WRITING is the book everyone with a novel under their beds or inside their heads should read.

Review

Anyone who has read Wrede’s books knows she can write.  (See the bibliography of her novels at the end of this article, and it does not include her many short stories.) She does it all – beautiful prose, exciting plots, humorous touches, characters with depth and feelings. And those are all good things; but can she write about writing? The answer is a resounding “YES!”

I’ve been following her blog for a while now and have seen some of these articles in an earlier version. The ones I recognized had some minor re-writing and the articles have been placed in a logical progression for the new writer: leading from the obvious ‘Getting Started’ through writing techniques and on into the business of being a writer. She gives good, sturdy, nuts-and-bolts kind of advice.

I loved her honesty.

“In my experience, most people don’t actually want to write a book; what they want is to have written a book (preferably without spending much in the way of time or effort). Even the ones who really do want to write a book are probably underestimating just how long it’s going to take and how sick of it they’re going to get before they finish.” - So You Want to Write a Book segment

She provides sound guidance about things that the writer may never have considered, and follows up with clear examples:

“Writing a short story is not the same as writing a novel. Oh, you need similar skills—knowing how to write dialogue, for instance—but there are fundamental differences that blindside an awful lot of writers who think that because they’ve learned how to write one, writing the other will just be more of the same.” - Cinderella at the Rock Concert segment

She approaches the business of writing as a beginning, not a happily ever after ending. Undoubtedly this is partly because of her background – she has her MBA and was a financial analyst and accountant at one time – and probably from watching the train wrecks of some other authors’ careers due to their lack of understanding of the business.

“Unfortunately, for most writers, on-the-job training is all they ever get when it comes to the business end of things. (Quite a few don’t even want that much, and reality tends to be a nasty shock for them, because if you are writing and selling your stories, or hope to do so, you’re running a business whether you like it or not.)” - The Business of Writing segment

New writers? This is a great book to start you on your way and help you keep on track. Not-so-new writers? This is a great book to keep as a reference for those knotty problems we all face from time-to-time. Either way the book is a keeper…

The "Lyra" Series:

•           SHADOW MAGIC

•           DAUGHTER OF WITCHES

•           THE HARP OF IMACH THYSSEL

•           CAUGHT IN CRYSTAL

•           THE RAVEN RING

The Chronicles of the Enchanted Forest:

•           DEALING WITH DRAGONS,

•           SEARCHING FOR DRAGONS

•           CALLING ON DRAGONS

•           TALKING TO DRAGONS

Regency Fantasy

The Kate and Cecy books:

•           SORCERY AND CECELIA

•           THE GRAND TOUR

•           THE MISLAID MAGICIAN

The Mairelon books:

•           MAIRELON THE MAGICIAN

•           MAGICIAN'S WARD

Frontier Magic:

•           THIRTEENTH CHILD

•           ACROSS THE GREAT BARRIER

•           THE FAR WEST

Standalones:

•           THE SEVEN TOWERS

•           SNOW WHITE AND ROSE RED

Copy received from Netgalley and publisher for an honest review.