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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

These are great. I’ve read the Wood and have Refuse to Be Done on my shelf. About to serialize my novel, so better pull that one out! I loved Meander, Spiral, Explode by Jane Allison. And Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salesses rewired my brain.

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

I definitely need to read Craft in the Real World. You're like the 80th person I've seen talk about it recently!

Also, have you serialized your novel yet??

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

YES!! I just published Chapter 1 on Thursday! So excited that it’s launched. 🥰💥

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

OMG! Congratulations!!!!

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Lori Eaton's avatar

I second your high praise for Matt Bell’s Refuse to Be Done. I’d also recommend a look at Tiffany Yates Martin’s Intuitive Editing when entering the revision process.

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Thanks for the recommendation! I heard her speak once but haven’t read that yet.

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Alicia's avatar

Thank you for these suggestions! It's been a while since I read a craft book, and I'll have to add Matt Bell's book to my list. I remember liking Donald Maass's book on emotion.

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Matt Bell’s book is so approachable and easy to act on. Now I couldn’t imagine revising a novel without it!

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Alicia's avatar

That’s very high praise and sounds so useful!

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Victoria Lo Bue's avatar

omg i am reading The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante right now and it is DELICIOUS. every word, sentence, graph is essential and gorgeous. i don't want it to end!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

RIGHT?!?!

How did you feel when you finished? I need to re-read that book, I love it so freaking much.

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Victoria Lo Bue's avatar

like i have to read everything else she's ever written.... immediately... !!! let me know if you have a rec of where I should go next!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Ha! You will be so happy you did!!! Please lmk immediately after you read 🤣🫶🏽

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Was The Lost Daughter your first taste of Ferrante?! I have so much to say. The Days of Abandonment is similarly delicious. And the Neapolitan Quartet is a cult favorite for a VERY GOOD REASON. You can't go wrong with her!

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Victoria Lo Bue's avatar

it was my first Ferrante but i’ve *seen* My Brilliant Friend. alright thank you for these!! i will report back!!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

The show is great but naturally the books are way better! Also check out Troubling Love! That and The Days of Abandonment are both short like The Lost Daughter.

I could literally talk about Ferrante forever. I own everything she’s written, including her v v v v weird children’s book 🤣🤣🤣

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Victoria Lo Bue's avatar

hahah oh i really live for a delicious novella length book - feels like a whirlwind love affair. thank you, Kolina!!

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Victoria Lo Bue's avatar

i will!!

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Bo Brown's avatar

Scene and Structure by Jack Bickham. Technical/mechanics.

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Looking into it now!

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Sarah Allen's avatar

I thought I was pretty well versed in my craft books, but for some reason all three of these have slipped under my radar! Thanks for bringing them to my attention, they look fantastic!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Oh that is so amazing though! There are TONS of good craft books and it can be overwhelming to know which ones to read. Recommendations are always the best 🥹

Good luck with your writing!

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krys's avatar

yay exactly what I was looking for, craft on craft! one of my go-tos is Elaine Scarry’s Dreaming by the Book. Imma be ordering these ASAP tho!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

I've never heard of Dreaming by the Book! Looking into it now, thank you Krys!! 🫶🏽

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Kat Stoddard's avatar

Love Refuse to Be Done and Self Editing for Fiction Writers. Will definitely check the third title out, thank you for the rec. Best of luck with your draft!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Thanks so much, Kat! I just now saw all these comments and am going through them four months later 🥴. So sorry, I wasn't ignoring you!

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Kat Stoddard's avatar

no worries!! life is like that haha.

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Carrie Talick's avatar

Love this post. Ordering Bell’s book now. Thank you!!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Hi Carrie! Did you ever read Refuse to be Done?! I'm so glad you ordered it!

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DL White-Romantic Fiction's avatar

I am not much for craft, but somehow James Scott Bell gives me everything I need, every time. I like Write from the Middle and The Art of War for writers. I am a romance writer and I re-read Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes before I begin every book.

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

I haven't read any of those! Looking into them all now. Thanks so much!

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Morgan Dick's avatar

I've been thinking about picking up the Matt Bell book for a while! You've convinced me!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Do it!! You’ll be so happy you did!

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Kemper's avatar

I was just sitting down with my well-loved copy of Refuse To Be Done earlier today! It’s SUCH a great resource, and so encouraging.

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Love it! It’s so good!

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Bronwen Keyes-Bevan's avatar

I haven't read a couple of these, gonna check them out!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

YES. You will be happy you did. If you choose one, choose Refuse to be Done.

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Aug 9
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Kolina Cicero's avatar

Yes do it! It’ll help your revision process so much.

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