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katherinevarga's review
I loved Flipped and Sammy Keyes (though I never finished the series) as a kid, so my younger self (both the young writer and the young reader in me) ate this up. An easy, fun read that made me want to reread the Sammy Keyes series. Van Draanen covers the basics of writing fiction in a kid-friendly way. As an adult I'm in awe of how it took her ten years to get published, and she kept writing and finishing books in the meantime without giving up on sending out her work.
acutebagel's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
anjreading's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. I rarely pick up books about writing, as I have no inner call to be a writer in any way, but my love for The Running Dream, coupled with the high reviews on Goodreads, was enough to make me read this book. And I’m so glad I did! There are tons of writing tips, but woven throughout are snippets of Van Draanen’s life and writing process, which were absolutely fascinating. I read some middle grade novels, not a lot, but now I feel the urge to read all eighteen of Van Draanen’s Sammy Keyes mysteries. This book is a wonderful testament to perseverance and Van Draanen comes across as very likable.
readerturnedwriter's review
5.0
I loved this book from start to finish! It has a ton of great with advice and information (such as behind the scenes on publishing) and it's so inspiring to hear the author's journey as a writer.
It made me laugh and inspired me (as an aspiring author) to never give up. It also left me wanting to be a better person (and to read the rest of her books, of which I've read three so far)!
If you are an author or aspiring author, this is a must read!
It made me laugh and inspired me (as an aspiring author) to never give up. It also left me wanting to be a better person (and to read the rest of her books, of which I've read three so far)!
If you are an author or aspiring author, this is a must read!
kaylab's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
2.0
I would have rated this book higher, but I could not get past the author’s praise of teen wilderness camps. She fails to recognize the trauma and abuse that goes on in these camps while saying, “Oh they learn good skills there that can serve them a lifetime!” She references the kidnapping of teens and brushes it off because it builds character and teaches you a lesson.
While I recognize that being in nature and camping teaches you great skills in life and makes you confront who you are, teen therapy wilderness camps are not the way. They are places ripe for abuse and trauma which does nothing to serve the teens.
While I recognize that being in nature and camping teaches you great skills in life and makes you confront who you are, teen therapy wilderness camps are not the way. They are places ripe for abuse and trauma which does nothing to serve the teens.
felicityros's review
5.0
A great read for anyone who loves
writing / reading.
This book goes into detail about how her story's went from ideas to published books,
And the struggles she had along the way.
I loved reading about where all the ideas for her different books came from, along with the facts and great writing advice mixed in.
Recommend to all who love books.
writing / reading.
This book goes into detail about how her story's went from ideas to published books,
And the struggles she had along the way.
I loved reading about where all the ideas for her different books came from, along with the facts and great writing advice mixed in.
Recommend to all who love books.
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