Helpful but longwinded…
Where do I begin in my review of Breadcrumbs for Beginners: Following the Writing Trail by author Dr. Sherry L. Meinberg? Well, I’m not certain… Not because I don’t know what to say, but rather because I’m unsure of how to say it. How do I properly explain the sense of non-fulfilment and slight disappointment that I have, without making Breadcrumbs for Beginners: Following the Writing Trail sound like an unhelpful read? Therein lies the reason behind my current struggle…
Let’s start with the book’s premise. Breadcrumbs for Beginners: Following the Writing Trail is an attempt (by its author) to provide an easy-to-read, easy-to-follow approach to the process of writing a book: from penning that initial idea to paper (or computer), to completion, publication and finally promotion. In that regard, I would say that Meinberg has done a good job. An extremely long-winded job, but good nonetheless…
In Breadcrumbs for Beginners: Following the Writing Trail, Meinberg writes with an easy-to-understand style. She uses humor (as well as an incredible amount of examples) to help cement the reader’s understanding of what she is saying, and/or to validate her points. Breadcrumbs for Beginners: Following the Writing Trail was a decent read. I did enjoy Meinberg’s writing style, her humor and … the font size she chose for the finished product. *chuckle*
What I sincerely struggled with was the redundancy of examples; not to mention the long-windedness of Meinberg’s various ‘breadcrumbs.’ With a title of: Breadcrumbs for Beginners: Following the Writing Trail I rather expected shorter, and more concise, tidbits versus the oh-so-long passages of opinion, facts, examples, et cetera that were provided throughout.
Because of this, newer writers seeking help might find Breadcrumbs for Beginners: Following the Writing Trail to be overmuch. This could result in the book being placed on that ‘top’ shelf and subsequently forgotten about. I sincerely doubt that this is what Dr. Sherry L. Meinberg was aiming for when she sat down to write a self-help book for aspiring authors…
On the bright side, due to all the quotes and facts provided, I did find some interesting … ‘breadcrumbs’ about several of my own favorite authors.
In closing, Breadcrumbs for Beginners: Following the Writing Trail was a unique and interesting read. The humor and writing style will definitely make you smile, or laugh. And if readers can wade through the overabundance, then they should be able to locate their own nuggets of wisdom.