Thanks, But This Isn't for Us: A (Sort of) Compassionate Guide to Why Your Writing is Being Rejected (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A fun, practical guide that reveals the essentials of good fiction and memoir writing by exposing the most common mistakes literary writers make.

All great works of fiction and memoir are unique-but most bad novels, stories, and memoirs have a lot in common. From clunky dialogue to poorly sketchedout characters, sagging pacing to exaggerated prose, these beginners' mistakes drive any agent or editor to their stock rejection letter, telling the aspiring writer "Thanks, but this isn't for us," and leaving many to wonder what exactly it is that they're doing wrong.

Veteran writing coach, developmental editor, and writing instructor Jessica Page Morrell will fill in the gaps in every rejection letter you've ever received. In Thanks, But This Isn't for Us, Morrell uses her years of experience to isolate the specific errors beginners make, including the pitfalls of unrealistic dialogue, failing to "show, not tell," and over-the-top plot twists. These are just a few of the problems that keep writers from breaking through with their work. Sympathetic and humane, but pulling no punches, Thanks, But This Isn't for Us shows writers precisely where they've gone wrong and how to get on the right track. In sixteen to-the-point chapters, with checklists, exercises, takeaway tips, and a glossary, Morrell helps readers transcend these mistakes so that they don't have to learn the hard way: with another rejection letter.

About the Author

Jessica Page Morrell is the author of Bullies, Bastards & Bitches: How to Write the Bad Guys in Fiction and The Writer's I Ching: Wisdom for the Creative Life . She works as a developmental editor and was formerly the writing expert at an online magazine. She has contributed articles to The Writer and Writer's Digest magazines, as well as several newspapers. Morrell teaches writing at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and leads a series of workshops in the Northwest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher (August 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585427217
• ISBN-13: 978-1585427215
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #649,972 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise guide to why your writing sucks, December 14, 2009

By	PDC (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

Morrell has a way of cutting to the chase that makes it easy to spot what's missing from your writing. At times I felt as though I had been transported to a coffee house, manuscript in hand, with the author joking and ready with the red pen. In other words, it's an accessible, helpful read.

As far as gender bias, until we all decide to change the collective "Man" to "Human" when referring to humanity, it's just killing the messenger complaining about headings like "Man Against Nature."

I enjoyed the book, and I learned a lot.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Turn "This Isn't For Us" Into Getting Your Writing Published, September 23, 2009

By	Story Circle Book Reviews (www.storycirclebookreviews.org) - See all my reviews

Thanks But This Isn't For Us: A (Sort of) Compassionate Guide to Why Your Writing is Being Rejected sets out to teach the basics to beginning writers. In this writing primer, Morrell uses her experience as a development editor, writing instructor, and book author to describe effective fiction writing. An additional chapter is devoted to writing memoirs. This book is also valuable to nonfiction writers.

Using relevant author quotes to preface each clever chapter title, the topic introductions is often followed by suggested writing exercises, "quick and dirty tips," and resources. Morrell believes, "Most writers begin with great story ideas, but often don't have a handle on some aspect of craft." The bulk of each chapter contains examples of well-crafted writing by published authors and "Deal Breakers." These "Deal Breakers" are poorly-crafted manuscripts that illustrate what not to write and submit.

I enjoyed both Morrell's content and her direct and witty style. But I was uncomfortable with her gender-biased language and choices. For example, in the section on types of conflict all were described as Man Against (...Man, Himself, Fate, etc.). Even with this caveat, I am passing along my copy to the local writers' critique group.

Morrell's statement, "If I sound like a badass on these pages, keep in mind that I'm a pussycat compared to the suits in the publishing world," underscores her focus on increasing the beginning writer's chance of getting published. By reading Thanks But This Isn't For Us: A (Sort of) Compassionate Guide to Why Your Writing is Being Rejected the beginning writer might soon hear, "Thanks, this is just what we are looking for."

by Barbara Heller
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women