See Jane Write: A Girl's Guide to Writing Chick Lit

With chick lit novels popping up on every bestseller list, millions of readers are all thinking the same thing: I could write this stuff. I could write a bestseller and never go back to the office again!
 
And here’s the guide that will show you how. Bestselling novelist Sarah Mlynowski and veteran chick lit editor Farrin Jacobs cover every stage of developing and selling your soon-to-be bestselling novel, with information on
 
     •  developing an idea     
     •  learning the basics of plotting
     •  deciding on a point of view     
     •  pacing, and conflict
     •  making your characters likable    
     •  finding an agent
 
—and much more, including humorous tips and advice from scores of established writers (from Meg Cabot and Marian Keyes to Emily Giffin and Sophie Kinsella). If you’ve got stories to tell, See Jane Write will take care of the rest!

With chick lit novels popping up on every bestseller list, millions of readers are all thinking the same thing: I could write this stuff and never go back to the office again! And here's the guide that will show you how. Bestselling novelist Sarah Mlynowski and veteran chick lit editor Farrin Jacobs cover every stage of developing and selling your novel, with chapters on:

Developing an idea Deciding on a point of view Making your characters likable Learning the basics of plotting, pacing, and conflict Finding an agent

This book also features humorous tips and advice from scores of established writers (including Meg Cabot, Melissa Senate, and Sophie Kinsella). If you've got stories to tell, See Jane Write will take care of the rest!

Library Journal

These two writing manuals differ more in design and delivery than they do in content. Both guide potential chick-lit authors through the steps of writing a novel and then finding an agent and publisher. In keeping with the chick-lit attitude, all three authors do their best to keep advice on characterization, pacing, and revision light and unintimidating. Mlynowski (Milkrun) and Jacobs (former chick-lit editor, Red Dress Ink) use their distinct perspectives to their advantage, sustaining a chatty tone and periodically inserting personal anecdotes and quirky sidebars. Yardley's (Surf Girl School) take is also conversational, but it offers more detail about the history of chick lit, its characteristics, and subgenres. Both books include useful appendixes: Mlynowski and Jacobs list other recommended writing guides and successful chick-lit authors, while Yardley covers agents, publishers, and chick-lit web sites. While fans of chick lit will likely appreciate the customized manuals, the core information presented can be found in many other fiction writing guides. Libraries with large writing collections would benefit from adding at least one of these books to their collection. Of the two, Mlynowski and Jacobs's is the stronger owing to the depth of their combined professional perspective. Teen fans of the chick-lit style may also benefit.-Stacey Rae Brownlie, Lititz P.L., PA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Sarah Mylnowski is the author of numerous novels, including Bras & Broomsticks and Frogs & French Kisses. She spent nine summers at sleep-away camp, where she enjoyed campfires, color wars, and conjuring up excuses to get out of swimming lessons. She now lives and writes in New York City.


From the Hardcover edition.