July 10, 2006
Writer Mlynowski (Milkrun, Me vs. Me) and editor Jacobs, formerly of Red Dress Ink, team up for this handy dandy guide to penning "chick lit," which they define in the first part, "The Big Picture," as "often upbeat, always funny fiction about contemporary female characters and their everyday struggles," citing Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diary as the watershed moment for the genre ("not necessarily the first chick lit author, but ... certainly the most popular"). The balance of the first part goes into preparation for writing, describing it in terms of therapy ("It's your opportunity to vent, reveal, create, and release") and dating ("You want to charm your reader"), and providing a lesson in motivation, "Getting Back at Your Ex and Other Reasons to Write." The text contains plenty words of wisdom from other chick lit pros, including novelists Meg Cabot (Queen of Babble) and Sophie Kinsella (Confessions of a Shopaholic). Fiction writers of all stripes, however, should find useful a substantial chunk of this irreverent, easy-to-read guide, especially in part two, "The Details." Chapters on character, plot development, structure and pacing all translate well. Though warning against stereotypes like "Multiple Personality Mary" and "Perky Patty" aren't exactly earth-shattering, this primer covers the basics with wit, style and plenty of welcome encouragement from those who have been there.
August 15, 2006
These two writing manuals differ more in design and delivery than they do in content. Both guide potential chick-lit authors through the steps of writing a novel and then finding an agent and publisher. In keeping with the chick-lit attitude, all three authors do their best to keep advice on characterization, pacing, and revision light and unintimidating. Mlynowski ("Milkrun") and Jacobs (former chick-lit editor, Red Dress Ink) use their distinct perspectives to their advantage, sustaining a chatty tone and periodically inserting personal anecdotes and quirky sidebars.
Yardley's ("Surf Girl School") take is also conversational, but it offers more detail about the history of chick lit, its characteristics, and subgenres. Both books include useful appendixes: Mlynowski and Jacobs list other recommended writing guides and successful chick-lit authors, while Yardley covers agents, publishers, and chick-lit web sites. While fans of chick lit will likely appreciate the customized manuals, the core information presented can be found in many other fiction writing guides. Libraries with large writing collections would benefit from adding at least one of these books to their collection. Of the two, Mlynowski and Jacobs's is the stronger owing to the depth of their combined professional perspective. Teen fans of the chick-lit style may also benefit." -Stacey Rae Brownlie, Lititz P.L., PA"
Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 1, 2006
Gr 8 Up -Fun, inspiring, and organized in a clear and encouraging style, this book covers topics from what chick lit is to how to create believable characters, develop a plot, and set a tone. The authors discuss seeing a project through to the finish and getting it published. The writing style is quirky and the advice is sound. The main theme is that writing is difficult, but rewarding, and that one can always improve. Cartoons in shades of pink and green enhance the text, done in the same colors. Sidebars offer practical advice and quotes from published writers. The information is transferable to nearly any type of writing, making the book useful and enjoyable to a wider audience than the title suggests." -Marcie Mann, Lafayette Jr. Sr. High School, NY"
Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.