5 Editors Tackle the 12 Fatal Flaws of Fiction Writing (The Writer's Toolbox Series)

Age Appropriate For: All AgesBest for Ages: 15 and upRead on Kindle Unlimited.This is the first book on the writing craft I’ve finished in a while. I’ve started a lot but stopped reading because they felt so basic. Often they all have the same information, and it just doesn’t feel like it is worth my time. This book was amazing! Not only did it tackle some different information, but the whole set up made it very useful.These editors worked together to tackle the fatal flaws from different perspectives. Not only did they write about it, but they also wrote part of a story and then corrected it so you could see what they were talking about. Except for one author, who used a couple of curse words in one example and briefly described the reactions to a girl in a skimpy dress, the examples were clean. Even the one author’s examples didn’t go overboard, but I thought I would mention them for the sake of some of the people that read these reviews.I found it very helpful to read this right before I start editing my next book. I feel it will help me sharpen my focus and be able to see some of the flaws that I can so easily miss. I love the checklists at the end of each chapter so that you have a quick way of reviewing what you learned.I highly recommend this book for authors looking to improve their writing.

Sanity checklist

The information in this book is concise, well-organized, and easy to understand and apply. I especially appreciate the examples of each flaw and the practice page at the end of each chapter.

This is a meaty book with lots of explanations and examples on what to avoid (and how to fix things) when writing fiction.PROS:The exercises are right there in the book. No excuses not to do them.It’s good to have five different editors’ voices. I think that lends credibility to the advice they give.CONS:The before and after examples tend to sound alike from chapter to chapter. They lean YA. I would have liked a wider variety of writing styles. I took half a star off. Still, it’s a minor complaint in a super helpful writing book.OVERALL:Helpful, actionable, and well worth the purchase. 4.5 stars.

This book is exactly what I needed to transform my writing from a simple and imperfect outline drawing into a full and colorful tableau of words.The authors teach us how to fine tune our writing skills, how to draw our readers into our story and keep them hooked to the very end.“You are a manager. You hold the power to guide your readers, managing their attention and memory…challenge [your] every word and phrase…our words and how we string them together will give life to the stories we tell or drain them dry.”This book on the art of crafting a story is a must for serious writers

This book was crafted by a group of five very talented editors. They take you through twelve errors in writing and provide examples of how to correct and provide a checklist to match against your own work and edit.It's one to keep in your writer's toolbox and use again and again. Great craft book.

Thank you all for this wonderful experience. This book increased my knowledge abut the fatal flaws in the beginnings of my writings. Just when I think “I know a little something,” as my grandmother would say; I’ve only begin to scratch the surface. This toolbox made me a better, 10th, 11th, and 12th draft writer. Thank you for your “teach me how to fish” approach. I love a challenge... You all challenged me to do my best. Thank you... The proof will be in my 2020 book review... Kind Regards...

An essential book for the budding writer, this publication provides sound advice and instruction. My only quibble is with several of the examples provided by the authors for hands-on writing exercises. Since several of the examples were apparently generated by the authors and not third party writers, the reader is faced with correcting works that are out of context with the larger story line. Tackling a few of the exercises was a bit like diagnosing a car malfunction after the vehicle was partially disassembled! However, this book was overall a good buy.

Ive ordered more books on writing than I care to remember. They were always ok to a point. C.S Lakin for me is the real deal. I'm not just writing I am looking forward to writing every day. There's so much advice out there. Save yourself the money for pens and buy this and her twelve pillars book and work book. I wish I had found them years ago.

I wish I had read this before I started to write... I can see a few chapter redrafts coming on. Informative, clear, well structured. An interesting read and the best I've come across thus far. Recommended!

A decent book but not particularly compulsive reading. Perhaps they need to take their own advice, or perhaps they are better at fiction than fact.. ;)

Lots of things I knew, but have to keep doing, and some lovely gems. Essential reading every time you begin the editing process.

Great book, useful tips for any writer & easy to read, good price