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Book Review
Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine
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Gail Carson Levine's Writing Magic is a tool for writers, full of prompts and inspiration to help make you a better writer. Levine begins with a few rules for the book, and for writing in general; her essential message: "write more" and when you aren't writing, read and re-read. Interestingly, she advises to save everything you write, because you can never go back in time to recall those specific life-altering moments in childhood or young adulthood. Levine likens the cross from childhood to adulthood to crossing a wooden bridge: "As you cross, it burns behind you."
Each chapter in Writing Magic serves as a mini writing lesson on basic topics such as point of view, voice, story endings, and editing and revising. Levine is an inquisitive writer, one who delves into the craft of writing by posing questions designed to help the reader understand subtle differences in things like word choice that can turn a weak paragraph into a strong one. To drive the lessons home, every chapter of Writing Magic ends with writing exercises: from writing down story ideas, to exercises in changing voice, to retelling folk tales.
Of particular interest is a short chapter on critique groups, and how to make them work for you. Levine wisely advises good listening skills as necessary for getting value out of a critique session, and then, later on, experimenting with the suggestions received to see if they work. In giving critique, Levine advocates focusing on the big issues related to story, rather than the spelling or grammar.
Writing Magic could be used as a basic book on craft, as a personal writing retreat tool to spark inspiration and story, or as a help to writing groups in need of creative writing prompts to jump-start meetings. Writing Magic is a definite must-have book for the writer's library.
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