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tani's review
4.0
This book has a lot of concrete advice on how to plot out a novel, and I think it's one that I'll be coming back to it a lot. A part of me is put off by the amount of work that some of the techniques involve, but I have very little doubt that they're effective. This is one that I intend to keep around.
lavenderlazarus's review
3.0
This book is full of writing exercises to figure out your plot but it isn't a step-by-step guide to plotting your book. I appreciated that there were ample examples of how the exercises should be done with plenty of detail. My main takeaway from the book was the use of what Lisle calls "line-for-scene cards" to plot your book. It's a great book for when you're stuck and want to brainstorm but not sure how. There was also some insightful information for when you want to fix your plot in various stages of writing (before you've written the story, in the middle of writing, or when you're revising). It was helpful in coming up with ideas but I'll still be looking for another resource on plotting.
jonmhansen's review
5.0
One of many writing books I read over three months. This one is all about coming up with ideas for scenes and then assembling them into a plot, or expanding your plot when you feel like you don't have enough there there. Seems like the methods would work for either type of writer, whether you outline in advance or are just winging it. Actually complements the Snowflake method pretty well.
lkmreads's review
4.0
I started on this book not expecting a lot. I knew it had very good reviews, but so had other how-to writing and plotting books I'd read, and those weren't that impressive. [b:Holly Lisle's Create A Plot Clinic|3015574|Holly Lisle's Create A Plot Clinic|Holly Lisle|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1368728435s/3015574.jpg|3046115] surprised me though.
The book shows you not just one, but several ways in which you can plot, fix your plot, edit or revise your plot, and rearrange your plot; before, during or after writing; and it has advise for people who like plotting as well as for those that don't and just wing their way through a story (even if ultimately the advise is, plot a little). She also offers advise on what to do when you're stuck, too.
Still, even if you don't take all her advise into account, or even if you dislike some of the methods she offers, they can be pretty easily adapted and modified to work in a way that works for you.
The book is written in a very pleasant way, neither treating you like you're dumb nor like you have to be an academic to understand. It also offers examples for pretty much everything she says, which is extremely helpful.
So you get advise, examples, and exercises to try out yourself. Definitely a recommended read.
What did annoy me a little though was the constant plug to software/sites (particularly Scrivener). Yes, I know it's amazing, but it should have only been mentioned once and off at the start or end, and then just referred to as whatever preferred method you had to do things. as it was, some parts just sounded like ads for Scrivener.
The book shows you not just one, but several ways in which you can plot, fix your plot, edit or revise your plot, and rearrange your plot; before, during or after writing; and it has advise for people who like plotting as well as for those that don't and just wing their way through a story (even if ultimately the advise is, plot a little). She also offers advise on what to do when you're stuck, too.
Still, even if you don't take all her advise into account, or even if you dislike some of the methods she offers, they can be pretty easily adapted and modified to work in a way that works for you.
The book is written in a very pleasant way, neither treating you like you're dumb nor like you have to be an academic to understand. It also offers examples for pretty much everything she says, which is extremely helpful.
So you get advise, examples, and exercises to try out yourself. Definitely a recommended read.
What did annoy me a little though was the constant plug to software/sites (particularly Scrivener). Yes, I know it's amazing, but it should have only been mentioned once and off at the start or end, and then just referred to as whatever preferred method you had to do things. as it was, some parts just sounded like ads for Scrivener.
jkcantwell's review
4.0
Holly Lisle is a prolific author and the methods discussed in this book would help writers, particularly less experienced authors, to develop plot. The methods can be applied at any stage of the writing process, from planning right through to final editing. The range of techniques that Holly offers can also be applied to scenes/chapters/parts which need minor revision, through to "when things go splat" and more drastic action is needed.
Throughout the book, Holly has used a concept for a book and developed it throughout the text, demonstrating how each technique can be applied to her book concept.
Throughout the book, Holly has used a concept for a book and developed it throughout the text, demonstrating how each technique can be applied to her book concept.
aimee70807's review
5.0
This is 4.5 stars and the only reason I'd consider rounding down is because the price tag felt pretty high. On the other hand, I think I got ten bucks worth of information from the text...although not in the way I'd initially expected.
Despite the title, this is really a brainstorming guide rather than a structure guide. Some of the exercises were ones I'd used before, others didn't hit the mark, but some are going into my notebook of high-quality tips to pull out whenever I get stuck. This time around, they really helped me flesh out a big-picture plot arc that has been giving me fits on next year's series, so that alone was well worth the price tag. Highly recommended.
Despite the title, this is really a brainstorming guide rather than a structure guide. Some of the exercises were ones I'd used before, others didn't hit the mark, but some are going into my notebook of high-quality tips to pull out whenever I get stuck. This time around, they really helped me flesh out a big-picture plot arc that has been giving me fits on next year's series, so that alone was well worth the price tag. Highly recommended.
bookwyrmknits's review
informative
4.0
This is a good resource with tips on ways to come up with solid plot points. Each writer will get different things from different books, though, so what works for me might not work for you. This one works for me.
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