53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun Kit for NaNoWriMo Experience, October 26, 2007
This review is from: The No Plot? No Problem! Novel-Writing Kit (Hardcover)
Length:: 3:54 Mins
****
This is a fun and funky kit for participants in the National Novel Writing Month experience (NaNoWriMo), which takes place every November. Note that although it includes a short (44 page) book, it is not the same as the author's full-length book of the same title. I view "No Plot? No Problem" (the full length book) as an important asset to NaNoWriMo. This kit, however, is strictly for those who want to have fun with stickers, buttons, a rolled-up contract, and more. It is for those who want to go all out for NaNoWriMo, and who want some "toys" to help them have an even better time. If money is tight, spend it elsewhere, as you can make most of these things yourself. If you don't mind the cost, and know that it's all just for fun, then buy and enjoy it as I did.
In this video I open the kit and show you everything inside. The video is just under 4 minutes.
****
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140 of 167 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very disappointed, October 11, 2006
This review is from: The No Plot? No Problem! Novel-Writing Kit (Hardcover)
Let me start by saying that I liked the original No Plot No Problem. Not brilliant, by any stretch, but fun and motivational. And I also understand that this kit is meant to play off of the concept detailed on the author's nanowrimo website (the challenge is to write a novel in a month). The goal is to produce material, rather than worrying about whether or not the material is any good. I have no problem with that.
HOWEVER, the act of writing a novel in a month is free. Buying this "kit" is not. That being the case, I wanted to share exactly what you get for your money.
Personally, I was disappointed at how...useless this stuff is. If you're really a writer (or aspire to be one) ask yourself if the following items will make a difference in achieving your goals:
1) Four "Ask Me about My Novel" stickers
2) A wall chart upon which you fill in your progress over the course of one month (personally, I think the time you spend filling in this chart would be better spent actually writing your novel)
3) Little gold star stickers, like you got in grade school
4) A tin pin that says "novelist"
5) 16 fake coupons that YOU have to fill in (again, you're better off spending the time writing your novel than filling out coupons)
6) A rolled up "affidavit" which you fill out as a promise to write your novel in a month
7) An "I Quit" envelope to be opened upon the moment you decide to stop writing. I won't giveaway what the message is.
8) 31 cards - read one a day until you finish your novel
9) A 48 page instructional booklet
Let's take a closer look at the instructional booklet:
First off, it's 44 pages, not 48. The first 16 pages include an introduction from the author and 7 pages of instruction on how to use your affidavit, your gold stars, your fake coupons, your pin, etc. I'm not kidding. The next chapter ("Preparing to Write") is divided into five steps. STEP 1: Pick Your Month (In other words, decide which month you want to write your novel). STEP 2: Pick Your Players. (I quote the author here: "Novel writing is a fantastic one-player game. But it's also an ideal opportunity to spend time with friends." Uhh...what?) STEP 3) Spread the Word. (Tell friends and family that you're writing a novel so that they can help you stay on track.) STEP 4) Fill Out the Affidavit. (YES! I'm glad we made sure to include an entire step about that.) STEP 5) Think About Your Book. (Another excellent idea.) By now, we are at page 30 of this 48, no wait, 44 page book. Pages 31 through 33 detail the rules for the nanowrimo novel competition. Then on page 34, we begin a chapter entitled "Writing!" This is nine pages. It is a Q&A session, covering such things as Q: "Can I have aliens come down and eat my characters?" A: "It's your novel - you can do anything you want. If you're not so into aliens, wormholes are also a convenient option. As are tigers, for that matter." (I am not kidding - this is what you're paying for.)
Bottom line: this is a gift set - probably something a friend or relative will get you for Christmas. I can't imagine that any serious (or even marginally serious) writer will find this package worthwhile. But who knows - motivation is a weird thing.
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36 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It Is What It Is..., May 15, 2007
This review is from: The No Plot? No Problem! Novel-Writing Kit (Hardcover)
I was reading some of the negative reviews and can't believe how people are. Basically, it's a cute little kit to motivate you to write your 50,000 page book in 30 days or less. The people who gave it the negative reviews are taking it's purpose way too seriously.
This is more of a "gifty" type of item for someone who is really into writing. In fact, if you have a writer in your life, especially one who is having a hard time getting motivated, you probably should get this writing kit and the original No Plot? No Problem! book to go along with it. The gift will be received with raving reviews from your writer friend, spouse, associate, etc.
When I opened the kit, it motivated me to want to write my book. Isn't that the purpose?
Some of these people are just ridiculous. If the kit doesn't write the book for them then they feel ripped off! Come on, people! Get a life!
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