Novelist Sepetys (I Must Betray You) makes her nonfiction debut with a proficient guide on how to write better stories that are informed by one's life. Sepetys discusses the principles that underlie good fiction and recounts details from her own life to illustrate how personal anecdotes can fuel literary creativity. "The reality of life is so ludicrous" that it provides fertile material for fiction, she contends, encouraging readers to look through old photos of themselves and "invent an entirely new story around the image." She recounts receiving a backhanded compliment at a Hollywood red-carpet event to illustrate that "dialogue is not only what someone is saying, but how they're saying it." The advice largely follows prevailing wisdom, such as the exhortations to show a character's personality rather than tell readers about it and to "avoid general descriptions and drill into the details." Still, novice writers will appreciate the bounty of writing prompts, which include contemplating how a vivid childhood memory might inform the backstory of a character and composing first- and third-person accounts of a time when "you might have misjudged a situation." Sepetys's suggestions are solid, though there's not much here that other programs haven't said before. This is most likely to appeal to amateur writers and fans of Sepetys's fiction. (May)

Gr 6 Up--Sepetys presents a humorous and winsome "how-to" for novice writers, offering anecdotes from her own life as a starting point. She asks readers and writers to think about the oddities in their own lives to craft memoirs and narratives that are unique, full of emotion, and enchanting. Sections of this guide are broken down by literary elements, including plot, setting, and dialogue, with smaller chapters in each section related to the building blocks and puzzle pieces of those elements. This scaffolding of questions and techniques, coupled with personal memories for context, offers an accessible and easily digestible approach. With the same skill and craft that Sepetys employs to write relatable and moving invented characters, she paints a picture of her family, friends, and acquaintances, proving she is capable of more than enthralling fiction. Further, her endearing stories of painting her bedroom "poop brown" and eavesdropping at restaurants to get ideas for dialogue and characters offer deeply personal snippets to establish trust and connection with her readers. VERDICT This is a must for any collection where young readers have an interest in storytelling, as well as generally a good pick for fans of the author.--Kaitlin Malixi

A gifted storyteller shares the method and memories behind her magic. With chapters bearing labels such as "Plot," "Character Development," "Setting," and "Voice," award-winning teen historical fiction author Sepetys' first foray into nonfiction may look at first glance like an ordinary book on the craft of writing, but the introductory line, "life is story in motion," reveals a more sophisticated yet accessible approach: sideways, through the lens of memory. Her parents' early struggles and lifelong artistry gave her the sense that plots were everywhere. Discussing characterization, she recalls her 12-year-old self asking permission to paint her entire bedroom "brown like poop" (she even saved up for the paint). They agreed--and offered guidance on choosing an accent color. Eavesdropping on strangers trained Sepetys' ear to write dialogue, and she presents lowlights from her dating career as an exercise in character research. Each themed chapter ends with a recap of the main points presented, a set of writing prompts, and an intriguing set of "Stories To Uncover and Discover." Diving further into the subject of revision, Sepetys relates an anecdote that reveals how knowing only one side of a story leads to misunderstanding and errors, critical information for anyone writing history, whether theirs or someone else's. The dedication, hard work, and attention to detail that her fiction is known for show here in every carefully considered line, but most of all it's her heart that shines through. Instructive and inspiring for storytellers of all ages. (Nonfiction. 12-adult) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

ldquo;The word writing can be daunting. But the word story is not." New York Times best-selling author Sepetys leads readers through the writing process by having them focus on their personal stories. She breaks down the elements of writing--plot, character development, setting, dialogue, etc.--in topical chapters that go beyond standard writing tips. Much like Stephen King did in On Writing, Sepetys describes each layer of writing, incorporating examples from her life. Through episodic, pop culture-filled writing samples that capture her formative years as the daughter of Lithuanian immigrants and her unusual path of working 20 years in the music industry in Hollywood to becoming a historical-fiction novelist, Sepetys also reveals some of the hidden elements of writing: exploration, hard work, self-doubt, failure, and vision. Chapters end with recaps of the writing strategies, related prompts that allow readers to draw on their own experiences and creativity, and entertaining "Stories to Uncover and Discover." In the latter, the ever-inquisitive author gives just enough detail about the Manson family, Pantone® colors, Toni Morrison, and other cultural references and asks guided questions that surreptitiously get readers investigating. Part writing guide, part memoir, Sepetys' fresh, fun handbook is all inspiration.