![]() This easy flow works so well for the unconfident writer in all of us. The book is easy to follow and has natural breaks for each focus (plot, character, etc.) but then she also throws in factoids and questions- so many questions- that you're constantly pausing to answer her as if she's talking to you. It's uplifting and lighthearted even if the topics she weaves in and out of are not always especially when it comes to disappointment or rejection (or the awkward superlative she won during HS graduation). Wouldn't you want to take writing advice and help from someone who does it so well? Of course! It's why Sepetys' new book, a departure from her historical fiction, STILL has all of her voice but also now her RANGE as a writer because she's talking directly to the reader: telling us about her life and how it matters when she writes her stories and how it should matter to you when you write YOUR story. Because along the way, you'll find your reason for writing you'll find your purpose. You may have to throw things out and start again. "But with practice and exploration, you'll eventually find a style that feels so comfortable and resonant for you to write in, that you'll return to it again and again. I loved following along with my physical copy, marking and tabbing in the spots that spoke to me.Īll in all, I loved everything about You: The Story. And Sepetys herself was a lovely narrator her performance never once was lacking. Music not only played before each new subject, but it also set the tone. The audiobook, read by the author herself, was perfection. Of course, I haven't completed all the prompts she gave (and same said about the "Stories to Uncover and Discover"), but that gives me the perfect excuse to read it again - except, this time, I'll be buddy-reading it with my mom. I had my notebook beside me, ready to tackle down some of the writing prompts Sepetys provided at the end of each section. In fact, as someone who does not like writing in her books, I went ahead and ordered translucent post-it notes, so I could stick them in places to either underline or jot down my thoughts and ideas. There are so many great quotes, some of which I typed in my status updates, and the advice she gave for the different subjects are so memorable, especially ones that I hadn't come across before until now. (And since I was pre-ordering from Parnassus, I went ahead and requested that my copy be personalized/signed by the author.) So, when I heard about Sepetys upcoming nonfiction book? It was an instant pre-order. It has been ever since I was in grade school. Ruta Sepetys' You: The Story: A Writer's Guide to Craft Through Memory was one of my most anticipated books of 2023, and it did not disappoint. And on that day, as you retrieve your memories, may you rediscover and celebrate the glorious combination of details that not only make you beautiful, but also make you uniquely YOU."Īn absolute must read for writers everywhere. So for now, think of ways to press them between wax paper and preserve them for one quiet day in the future. They fade, fall, and scatter beneath the slightest sigh of wind. Perfect for fans of Burn After Writing and Bird by Bird, You: The Story awakens the emerging writer and reveals that with some reflection, curiosity, and courage, you have a story to tell. ![]() Masterfully weaving in humorous and heartfelt stories from her own life that illustrate an aspect of the craft of writing (such as plot, character development, or dialogue), Sepetys then inspires readers with a series of writing prompts and exercises. You: The Story is a powerful how-to book for aspiring writers that encourages you to look inward and excavate your own memories in order to discover the authentic voices and compelling details that are waiting to be put on the page. After five award-winning works of historical fiction and countless hours of meticulous research, she can affirm that the secret to strong writing is embedded within your life experience. #1 New York Times bestselling author Ruta Sepetys is known for creating vivid characters and harrowing plots. And sometimes, in hindsight, wish you could put them back. Each day, you add to your story, revise it, and view it from a different angle. The nonfiction debut by #1 New York Times bestselling and Carnegie Medal-winning author Ruta Sepetys. ![]()
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