Wannabe a Writer?

by Jane Wenham-Jones

Wannabe a writer? This hilarious, informative guide to getting into print is a must-have for anyone who's ever thought they've got a book in them. Drawing on her own experiences as a British novelist and journalist, Wenham-Jones takes you through the minefield of the writing process, giving advice on everything from how to avoid Writer's Bottom to what to wear to your launch party. Including hot tips from authors, agents, and publishers at the sharp end of the industry.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Self Help, Reference, Contemporary

454 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2007

About the author

Jane Wenham-Jones is the author of six novels – her latest is The Big Five O – and three non-fiction books. Wannabe a Writer? is a humorous look at the trials and tribulations of becoming a scribe and Wannabe a Writer We've Heard Of? is a how-to on PR and self-promotion. 100 Ways to Fight the Flab (and still have wine and chocolate) is full of useful tips to combat Writer's Bottom - an occupational hazard often encountered after reading the first two! Jane has also contributed to several short story anthologies and two cookery books, the latter being a particular achievement since she barely knows where the kitchen is. As a freelance journalist, she has had numerous short stories and articles published in women’s magazines and the national press and is the agony aunt for Writing Magazine. Jane has appeared on a variety of TV shows – from Ready, Steady, Cook to The Politics Show - and dozens of radio programmes. As an interviewer she has "been in conversation with" hundreds of big-name authors and celebrities, has presented the Romantic Novel of the Year awards for the past nine years and is regularly booked as an after-dinner speaker.

Reviews

[N · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wannabe A Writer? is a how-to book put through the Bridget Jones filter. It’s pitched hard at an audience of middle-aged, middle-class women who might write a novel if they weren’t so fond of that second glass of wine every night.

Though intended as a rip-roaring antidote to stale writing books, the result is only occasionally amusing. (Maybe if it would be funnier if I were drunk? Sorry, I’m allergic to wine.) There are some useful writing tips to be found, along with cheering anecdotes from Wenham-Jones’s writer friends. (I recall especially the writer who tied her leg to the table when she sat down to write. Or, indeed, the one who scoured charity shops for a hat his novel’s hero could wear – and then proceeded to wear it as he was writing.)

Unfortunately, there’s also a lot of dreck included in the book. A long chapter on dieting? Uhm, thanks, but that’s not what I was looking for. One can’t help but feel that Wenham-Jones – almost the definition of a mid-list author – is not really qualified to advise on writing. I may have disagreed with much of Stephen King’s advice in On Writing, but I can’t begrudge his credentials. Wenham-Jones, on the other hand, might make a perfectly amiable dinner party companion, but as a writing expert, she’s unconvincing.

[Andy Carrington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks, Jane. You made me realise I don't wannabe a writer.

[Olwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! So real and yet so many aspects to laugh along with.

[penelopewanders]

This is here as a bookcrossing ring. I have to admit I wasn't familiar with the author, and might have enjoyed it more if I had been. I'm not sure I'd qualify it as "hilarious" (as the book reviews do), but it was often an entertaining read. As my writing ambitions are very much on the back burner, this is not overwhelmingly relevant at present, although I did enjoy parts of it.
I think the best writing advice I ever read, which is more or less also mentioned in some form somewhere in here (and possibly attributed to someone else), was from Sandi Toksvig who said something to the effect that if you want to write, you need to write. Full stop. Basically you need paper and a pen or pencil. I find myself thinking of that frequently - the room of one's own, the perfect mood - all of that is superfluous if you don't sit down and start writing.
I figure reading about writing is a start though.

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this some years ago - it was published in 2007 and reprinted in 2010 - and used to enjoy the late writer's column in 'Writing Magazine'. However, apart from the fate of all such books in the digital age - they go out of date in a few years especially the coverage of digital publishing (which is very rudimentary in this one) - the whole tone is one of trying too hard. I soon lost count of the many references to alcohol, drunkenness and general 'wine o'clock' hilarity which I'm afraid I didn't find very amusing.

There were a few interesting points, but even those have to be treated with caution - for example, although the Richard and Judy Bookclub is still in existence it is now a website as far as I know and I don't know when it ceased to be a TV programme. However, it does still seem to be the case that Waterstones buy books centrally (there is an interview with one of their book-buyers of the time).

There was a bit of laziness in a couple of places where the author states that she knows nothing about a particular type of writing, but recommends a book about it which she admits she hasn't bothered to read - but the author on the one about TV writing is apparently a nice bloke. It ends with several pages of quotes about writing from different people in the book trade, which I must admit I skimmed. So for me this rates an OK 2 stars.

[Michelle Morley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous book filled to bursting with great advice and tips. Thoroughly relatable and light-hearted, causing me to laugh allowed on more than one occasions, and somewhat embarrassingly, always when in public.
However amusing the manner in which Jane Wenham-Jones delivers her advice, it is still very sound advice.

[Lucia Gannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, easy to read with some good information on how the world if publishing works.

[Sarah Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun guide to writing.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather different to this average book about writing, this one is full of anecdotes, humour - some of it rather risque - and a great deal of advice to drink heavily and eat a lot of chocolate. Clearly not all to be taken seriously, but I found it very readable and quite inspiring in places. The author doesn't try to inflate her experiences or suggest that getting published is just a matter of hard slog and brilliance; nor does she focus on layouts or grammar or even how to construct plots. Instead she looks at reasons why people might become writers, and suggests pretty much any outlet (greetings cards, film strips, restaurant critiques...) rather than producing a novel.

Then there's some general good advice to those who are determined to go ahead, punctuated with more anecdotes and suggestions, and then a brief overview of how to get published. Perhaps. I read the first half over just a few days before getting a bit bogged down in the final chapters, not realising (since my version was a Kindle freebie) that the end of the book is simply pages and pages of quotations about writing from other writers. I read the first twenty or so then got bored, and skipped through the rest.

Worth perusing for anyone who is interested in an honest, often self-deprecating account of the life of a writer, with some humour, some bad language, and much that should be taken with a huge pinch of salt.

[S. Spelbring · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very fun and informative read. It covered many areas of writing and included things I had never even thought about. I would definitely read it over again and probably will, but now I'm contemplating buying her other book, which expands upon what this one started explaining.

Its a book that really made me think and periodically I had to the book down and write myself.

[Rebecca Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as well as gaining quite a few tips from it. It wasn't the meaningless manufactured slog that you usually get from books about writing. Not only did it engage you as if you were a friend, it provided tips on various areas of writing and the stages after that. I recommend it for anyone else who might be starting out as a writer.

[Kirsty Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me reading from cover to cover in one sitting! I have recommended it to all my writer friends from University and can't wait to read the sequel!

Informative, interesting and funny all in one sitting! xxxx

[Seumas Gallacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mix in a load of clever writing, spice it with humour, garnish it with good solid "been there and done it' experience from a writer on how to to get published. Bring it to the boil and let it simmer... fabulous result and a road map for new writers . Loved this book

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and will read it often on my journey of discovery, I'm sure this book was written for me ;)

I have started reading it again now .... you always see something new that you maybe didn't see first time around.. Recommend few reads of it...

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on writing but unlike many very readable and funny and not at all boring. I especially liked the wine and writing association. I would recommend this to any writer as a stable book to read on the subject and one of my all time favourites.

[Steve Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not only is this a book full of very useful tips and guidance, it is actually very funny too; an entertaining read worth a look even if you are not planning on writing a novel.

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her writing style. In fact, if she could sit on my sofa and chat with me, that would be great.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting so far

[Pat Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny, very interesting and soooo helpful.
Read after Wannabe a Writer we've heard of? Both good.

[Tilly Hunter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Little of real substance. Beginner's stuff.

[Tracy Fells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some excellent advice for newbie writers in this book, but where this stands out is how the information is imparted. This is a laugh out loud read and lots of fun even if you don't wannabe a writer!

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really want to like this book, but it was just another rah rah you can do it craft book. I didn't feel like I learned any new tips.

[Ross Mountney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice hand to hold for authors like me who like someone else to tell them how to do it sometimes even though we've done it!!

[Elizabeth Ducie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get fun; written in Jane's inimitable style, but with some good hard sense underneath all the fun.