Becoming a Writer

This book is boring.

I read some great reviews about how Becoming a Writer had really inspired and helped people who were wanting to be writers, so I thought as a freelance writer I should check it out. It may be useful for someone who has no support or encouragement in their writing career as she does spend a bit of time encouraging new writers. I didn't really need encouragement.

She also talks a lot about the lifestyle, etc of writers and how form and style are more important than punctuation and grammer, which can be true to a point (but who keeps paying a writer who can't spell or use proper punctuation?).

All in all, it may be worth reading for someone else. It was written in the 1930s, so maybe that's why some of her advice seems trite to a seasoned writer. Like I said, it may be helpful for new, just starting out writers.

I actually never finished this book, as I decided I really don't want to learn how to write from someone whose own book is painfully dull.

I give it one star.

The Gate To Women's Country

I didn't think I liked science fiction until I read The Gate To Women's Country for my book club. This book was good and inspired me to read some other books by Sheri Tepper. If you're looking for an easy read that also makes you think, grab this book.

The Gate to Women's Country tells the story of Stavia, who is the daughter of a leader in "Women's Country." For about the first half of the book it sounded as if the warrion men outside the city in the garrison were in charge and kind of holding the women hostage in exchange for their protection. The women have to give them their sons when they turn 5 and some other stuff like that. But, as the book goes on you learn that the women are completely in control and the men who return to the city as "servitors" are usually psychics with special fighting skills that help them keep the women safe and in charge.

All in all it's a fascinating tale about what might happen after a nuclear war. I give it 4 stars.