"I want to write a novel."
A lot of people who love to read have said that. Even more of us have thought it, even if we've never said so out loud.
Some of us may have started writing a book (or two, or three...)
But finishing a book, well, that's definitely harder. Which is where The Story Cure: A Book Doctor's Pain-Free Guide to Finishing Your Novel or Memoir by Dinty Moore comes in. (And yes, I did a double take when I saw the author's name!)
The Goal of The Story Cure
...the goal is to get you to the finish line, to make sure you complete your work and have something in your hands that you can feel proud of..." (p.3)
Mr. Moore talks about finding the underlying purpose for your story, whether fiction or memoir.
...the writer has to know what human current runs deep under the story he or she is about to tell... (p.13)
He defines what makes a good story:
A good story - true or fictional - is one that produces in the reader a visceral desire to know what happens next. (p. 20)
He reassures writers that they have more than one book in them. (A major problem to finishing a story is trying to tell too much or do everything the writer wants to do all at once.)
He also reminds a writer that they don't have to know everything that will happen in their book when they start writing because:
Writing is an act of discovery (p.33)
Another bit of reassurance: remember that the first draft just has to be completed. It doesn't have to be perfect.
...few authors are so lucky that they don't occasionally have to rip out the seams and start over... (p. 135)
And change is {almost} always possible:
...until your book is printed and on the shelves, nothing is set in stone (p. 139)
Our "Book Doctor" also addresses "writer's block" or giving up:
There is no shame in giving up, as long as you only give up for a few days. (p. 155)
The Story Cure is a small but helpful book, packed with solutions to common writing difficulties. There's advice and inspiration for any writing packed into this slim volume.
I collect books about writing and The Story Cure has earned a spot on my "writing inspiration" shelf.
Now to actually go out there and finish writing a book (or two...)
Looking for more writing inspiration?
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
