Book Review by Aarene Storms: Guy-Write

Guy-Write : what every guy writer needs to know

By Ralph Fletcher

This book offers up great advice for guys who like to write.  Some of the advice is familiar and sage:  "write what you know, write what you love,"  for example.  A  lot of adults (mostly teachers) don't approve of the kind of stuff that a lot of guys like to write about:  wars, guns, blood, cussing, death, farts, zombies, swords, cars, and spaceships.  The author gives excellent advice to guy-writers who encounter adult disapproval--and he also offers good advice for adults who usually disapprove of the stuff guys write!

Interviews with popular "guy writers" like Robert Lipsyte as well as interviews with young teen guys who like to write keep the narrative moving along.  There are "guy-drawings" in the margins as well, making the entire book feel like the back pages of a teen boy's writing notebook.

Rating: 

A fun, fast, informative read for teen writers of any gender, and a good resource for adults, too.   Target audience: ages 8-16.  The book has chapters about writing gross and bloody stories, but doesn't actually contain cuss words or gory examples.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian

Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS