Is There A Book In You by Alison Baverstock.

Is There A Book In You by Alison Baverstock

A & C Black Publishers – 2006

Review by Laura Parish.

‘For many, the desire to write is very strong. Yet how do you know whether there is a book in you? And do you have what it takes to see it through.’

Having wanting to be a writer for a while, I’ve brought book after book claiming that it can teach me the tools I need to write (I have a stack of self help writing books next to my desk to prove this.) I am very happy to have come across ‘Is There A Book in You’ by Alison Baverstock. This book, asks what is probably the most important question every new writer needs to ask themselves, ‘Is There a Book in You.’
From the very beginning, the book tells you that it won’t teach you how to write, it won’t show you how to plan a book, how to structure chapters etc. What it does do is explore the questions the you may need to ask before writing a book. The questions are split into chapters which include ‘Why a Book?’ ‘Do other people like reading what you write?’ as well as ‘How creative you are’ and ‘How positively do you respond to rejection.’ The book also includes quick quizzes, exercises and a questionnaire at the end (which is gradually filled in whilst you work your way through each chapter.)

I LOVED this book. I see it as a essential part of my collection like preparation is before an exam or as the book puts it ‘a would be writer’s equivalent to a driving test.’ I liked the quotations included from published and established writers (knowing that most of them had the same questions and feelings about writing as me was comforting) and I found completing the questionnaire and exercises helpful as well as the advice and quotations which are included from Agents, Publishers etc. I recommend this book to every new writer.

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.