Between the Lines

As a novel writing teacher, I purchase a lot of books on writing. I'm always looking for new ideas and new ways to present information to my students. BETWEEN THE LINES is simply one of the best overall books about writing that I've found. I absolutely disagree with the reviewer who said only beginners will profit from reading this book. That's ridiculous. In fact, beginners would be overwhelmed by reading this book; it's not for beginners. Beginners need basics: point of view, conflict, scene structure. Morrell covers the subtler aspects of writing, the things you can't possibly comprehend when you're just beginning because they are over your head -- and she does it extremely well. I used this book quite extensively in teaching my advanced students and they soaked it up and clamored for more. I've advised them to buy the book. I've been writing for more than twenty years, have sold 47 novels of romance and women's fiction, have taught creative writing at the college level and now am doing it online, and BETWEEN THE LINES is one of just five books about writing that I strongly recommend to my students. Trust me on this, folks. This is one fine book. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

This book packs alot bang for your buck. Morrell knows her stuff and explains everything succinctly. What's great about the book is that at the end of almost every chapter she offers editing tips, so you can use this book to aid you in your self-editing and revision process. There are no formal exercises (just alot of helpful tips), but she covers just above every aspect of fiction that really isnt treated in depth in other books (just look at the table of contents). <br /> <br />Another reviewer complained about the stylistic designs on the pages within the book. They are somewhat distracting and does take some space away along the margins (especially if you like to write notes), but this does NOT detract the value of the information she provides. In other words, Morrell did not doctor up her book design to hide any fluff, because THERE IS NO FLUFF. There's plenty of room on the top and bottom of each page if you must write notes. <br /> <br />The other great thing about this book is that she offers a recommended reading list after each topic. It would have been nice though, if she compiled that list at the end of the book, as well as bibliography of books she used for reference. The other pet peeve of this book is that she doesn't end the book with a chapter of summary or a final note in summation. The last chapter is on transitions and that's where she cuts her readers off.

I bought this book a month ago. It is GREAT as a refrence book. You don't need a book to tell you what to write and how to write it, and it's certantly not going to tell you how to write...it just simply lists, in a nuteshell, different ways to lay down the foundation of your book and different ways to do it. You'd think this would make people's work the same, but not neccessarily. <br /> <br />I did, by intruction, a painting like Picasso's Cuba period (? I forgot what's it called) and it still came out as my own. One person didn't like it because it was different, eventhough I followed directions. It came out as my own still. <br /> <br />So I'm glad I bought this book and I would recommend it if you need inspiration or a new way/new perspective on writing your novel/short story. It's helped me out a great deal. Great for begginer and proffesionals alike. I know alot of people could've used this in my writing class as well as an APA book and The Writing Styles.