Blood on the Forehead: What I Know about Writing [Hardcover]

M. E. Kerr (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up

Using examples from five novels and five short stories, young adult writer M. E. Kerr offers insights into ways writers can get ideas and create successful stories.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this writers' guide cum Kerr sampler, the award-winning author shares her expertise in crafting stories and novels. While aspiring authors eager for straightforward creative-writing lessons might be better off with the nuts-and-bolts guidance in such works as Marion Dane Bauer's What's Your Story?, Kerr's looser presentation also serves up much to stimulate discerning readers and writers. The most concrete suggestions, condensed into 10 helpful hints, are briskly spelled out in the first chapter; some are conventional ("Show your reader, don't tell him"), others reflect more personal preferences ("Be as direct as possible.... Flashbacks stop the momentum"). The rest of the book explains the genesis of specific pieces (five short stories, two novel excerpts, one segment of her autobiography, all included here). Offering few explicit rules, Kerr demonstrates how she alters and incorporates real-life events in her fiction. She also touches on current concerns like political correctness ("A writer today can become so self-conscious... that [a] game of Cowboys and Indians becomes Cowpeople and Native Americans"), confesses that she cannot begin a novel until she comes up with a title and injects a healthy dose of humor ("Cut! Cut! Cut! Your reader has a life"). Deepening readers' appreciation of Kerr's work, this volume will sharpen their approaches to their own. Ages 11-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 UpAYoung writers will take pleasure in this book of advice and encouragement by an award-winning author. However, there is not much new material here. Reprinted short stories and chapters from four of Kerr's novels, as well as from her autobiography, make up the bulk of the book. Short essays preface each lengthy selection. For example, in the section titled "What If?" Kerr tells how a neighbor inspired her to write Gentlehands (HarperCollins, 1978). In "Names," she explains how Marijane Meaker became M.E. Kerr. Readers unfamiliar with the author's work will scramble to find and finish her excerpted novels. Her fans will undoubtedly enjoy the personal reflections and discovering exactly where she gets her ideas; she aptly illustrates the fact that inspiration can come from the unlikeliest sources. Her remembrances of harsh critiques and abundant rejection letters drive home the importance of perseverance. Still, this book is more effective as a collection of her work than as a guide for aspiring writers. Kerr does offer several pages of general writing tips ("...give your characters interesting names," "Grab your reader right away"), but gives only quick examples. Young teens looking strictly for instruction in the craft of writing fiction may want to choose Marion Dane Bauer's What's Your Story? (1992) or Our Stories (1996, both Clarion) instead.AMiranda Doyle, Notre Dame High School, Belmont, CA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers; 1st edition (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060279966
• ISBN-13: 978-0060279967
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,698,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More, More, More!, January 12, 1999

By 

Amy Dunlap (Falls Church, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blood on the Forehead: What I Know About Writing (Mass Market Paperback)

I wish M.E. Kerr hadn't taken her own advice ("Cut! Cut! Cut!") and given us more breadth--I loved what was there, but I found myself closing the book and wishing there were many more chapters. What about "If I Love You, Am I Trapped Forever?" and "I'll Love You When You're More Like Me," not to mention her silence on her recent forays into gay issues--what made her start focusing almost exclusively in that area? I also wanted more biographical info that we didn't get in "ME ME ME," such as what things were like once she started selling her young adult books and became so respected by students, teachers, and librarians. I've been a fan since high school (over 10 years), have read all her books, and I hope she does a Volume II, because I'm dying for more!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The advice to writers AND the stories included were AWESOME!, July 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Blood on the Forehead: What I Know About Writing (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm not a short story reader - I don't like 'em... really never have. So when M.E. Kerr's book came out - I was skeptical about buying it. Then I read a review, and decided to give it a chance. Thankfully I did! I learned not only tips on how to write better, but I learned how to pull a story together. What makes a story tick and I learned - most importantly - that everyone has a voice - you just have to find it. Now I'm ready and willing and maybe able to try my hand at writing a short story. If I can be half as successful as Ms. Kerr - life would be good!!