Jordan RosenfeldReseñas

I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. Grace Jensen has endured years of surgeries since that fateful night she was disfigured due to a treehouse fire. Now 13 years later, her childhood best friend, the only person that truly remembers what transpired the night of the fire, reappears for her grandmother’s funeral. She convinces Grace to stay with her in Las Vegas for awhile. This becomes an awakening of sorts for Grace, as she learns not only does she feel other people’s pain, she can heal them. Her trip to Vegas is anything but uneventful as she meets new things and learns more about Marly. How will she react when secrets are revealed? What really happened on the night of the fire?

I loved the premise of this book, it truly spoke to me. One of the things that I got out of this novel is that sometimes all isn’t as it seems. That sometimes people are ugly on the inside, but they are very good at hiding it. This was a great novel that kept me wondering what could possibly go wrong. My heart broke for Grace when all of the secrets came to light. It keeps you guessing right up until the very end. The characters are amazing, although I was left hanging about the relationship between Adam and Grace, I wish they were people I could pop in on to see if they made it.

Really solid guidance for writing fiction; recommend for writers and aspiring writers who want to work on improving mastery of writing various elements of craft

This is a good solid read with lots of practical advice. Rosenfeld tackles all the usual things that can demotivate a writer and cause them to struggle. A useful book to have on hand when the going gets tough writing.

Heavily fiction but quite good.

If you've read comprehensive writing craft books, then do yourself a favor and dive into this book on creating scenes. There are many books on plot and character but hardly any on crafting the crucial scene. Chock-full of techniques and examples. Describes core scene elements (setting, five senses, character (GMC), plot, subtext (for example, theme and the character subconscious), dramatic tension) and then uses them to describe some of the major scene types.

Well-organized; lots of lists and headings makes finding the right information a breeze. Excellent tips on scene revision--for example, how to revise a vignette that doesn't add to the plot and character arcs. Includes a revision checklist.

I bought a copy.

“How to Write A Page Turner” is one of the best books on writing I have read, but a chore to read. It reminded me of my undergraduate days when I had to plod through textbooks because the information contained therein was beneficial. Every one of the 18 chapters in this brief 228 page book provides valuable tips and examples, but it took me over six weeks to read; I couldn’t force myself to read more than a chapter at a time.

Readers who enjoy instruction-oriented books or are broadly interested in writing as a topic will find “Page Turner” to be less onerous. Rosenfeld’s writing style is accessible, and she uses an impressive selection of examples to illustrate her points. Those who are not fans of instruction manuals or writing as a topic will nevertheless benefit greatly from the effort required to read “Page Turner.”

Rosenfeld’s thesis is that tension is an essential element of fiction that keeps readers engaged. Part one explains the elements of fiction that create tension. In part two she explains how to use the characters we create to create tension. Part three dissects the underlying story arc and suggests ways to create tension across the entire plot: the point of no return, rededication, dark night, and triumph. The final section is on the use of language and images (i.e., similes and metaphors).

Those who believe the ability to write a novel is beyond them will gain a clear understanding of how to approach the task. Rosenfeld’s removes the mystique from fiction writing and provides practical tips and specific instructions. Writers at all level of experience are likely to benefit from this book.½

This is one of the more useful Writer's Digest sponsored books on the topic of scene-writing. While far longer than many of the scene-writing books being published today, it does not waste words, but leads you brick by brick through the process of first baking bricks, and then how to stack them to create a complete, fulfilling story. Each topic is explained concisely, examples are given, and then the topics learned in each chapter are summarized at the end. I've already got a few sections dog-eared for future reference and anticipate I'll refer back to it often.

My only complaint is the examples skewed towards more 'literary' fiction, much of which I have never read. It did not detract at all from my understanding of the lesson, but I noticed I enjoyed more the examples which had been drawn from books with which I was familiar as with those examples I had a more complete picture.

Jordan, once again you've outdone yourself. This was a great read. The primary story line meshed beautifully with all the "side stories" to the point that you literally flesh out an entire town as you read along. Forged in Grace and Night Oracle. Both incredible. I need the paperback to go with my Kindle. I can loan it to others this way.

I can't call this book anything but amazing. The sub-stories, the characters...

Grace has scars. She felt horrendous pain for quite some time after the fire. Unable to bear human touch because of this pain and these scars, she lived a relatively quiet life in northern California, along with her mother, and worked closely caring for wounded animals especially in the wild. Her mother, a hoarder, needed some exceptional care, but I felt that Grace often wondered if she was just enabling her in that lifestyle.

At first, you aren’t sure about Marly’s relationship with Grace. After all these years, Marly turns out to be another needful soul, even if she didn’t realize it. She was bold, brassy, and seemed at first a little crazy. We find out later that it goes deeper than that. She knows things Grace has pushed to the back of her brain, trying to forget. Perhaps it was just denial of the truth.

I think what got me the most about this book was how close it was in many respects to many points in my own life. My scars, my pain, and my own understanding of other people’s psychological, rather than physical, suffering came through loud and clear with Jordan’s fabulous ability to strike such a deep, resonant tone in her work.

I had to edit this down to something readable, because a four-page review on a book that struck so deeply into my soul was TMI online. Jordan is the reason I started journaling again.

One of the most helpful writing books I read in a long time.

I was intrigued by the description of “Forged in Grace” and it lived up to my expectations. I could hardly put it down once I started reading…. had to keep turning the pages as the past was revealed with some twists and turns. Characters are well developed and come to life as the story unfolds.

“Grace Jensen survived a horrific fire at age 15. The flames changed her: badly scarred in body and mind, Grace developed an ability to feel other people’s pain. Unable to bear human touch, she has made a small life for herself in Northern California, living with her hoarder mother, tending wounded animals, and falling a little in love with her former doctor. Her safe world explodes when the magnetic Marly Kennet reappears in town; Grace falls right back into the dynamic of their complicated friendship. Marly is the holder of many secrets, including one that has haunted Grace for over a decade: what really happened the night of the fire?
When Marly exhorts Grace to join her in Las Vegas, to make up for the years they have been lost to each other, Grace takes a leap of faith and goes. Although Marly is not entirely honest about her intentions, neither woman anticipates that enlarging Grace’s world will magnify her ability to sense the suffering of others—or that she will begin to heal wounds by swallowing her own pain and laying her hands on the afflicted.
This gift soon turns darker when the truth of Marly’s life—and the real reason she ended her friendship with Grace—pushes the boundaries of loyalty and exposes both women to danger.”

“Forged in Grace” is an emotionally charged, slightly dark and fascinating read with a light paranormal twist…… well worth reading!

I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.½

What do you think will be your lasting impression of this book? The pain Grace felt but the beauty she showed.

What did you think of the cover? Loved the cover. It felt perfect for the story within.

Did you like the way the book ended? Yes, it seemed to finish the story.

Would you recommend this book? Was a really good book and I would definitely recommend it.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author.

Most excellent reading. Grace is a wonderful character. Surviving a horrible fire around age 15 but that isn't the whole story. The first page grabbed my attention and held it through missed meals and phone calls as I had to go on. The skill of this writer truly amazed me and I do applaud her abilities. This writing is of pain, hurt, evil, love and coping...and friendship or is it really friendship?
My cousin received this book from goodreads and she kindly loaned it to me. I thank her and good reads for the ability to read this book.

Most excellent reading. Grace is a wonderful character. Surviving a horrible fire around age 15 but that isn't the whole story. The first page grabbed my attention and held it through missed meals and phone calls as I had to go on. The skill of this writer truly amazed me and I do applaud her abilities. This writing is of pain, hurt, evil, love and coping...and friendship or is it really friendship?
My cousin received this book from goodreads and she kindly loaned it to me. I thank her and good reads for the ability to read this book.

Writing scenes that move your story forward is given in many examples. Different scene structures listed with their components, is a valuable reference tool for completion of a novel. Individually scenes may be intense or mild, contemplative or dramatic, but when they are used in combination, they form a fantastic narrative that feels rich and complex. Entertain and inform the reader through clear and powerful scenes. This book should help build a vivid scene, and link each of your scenes to create a compelling narrative that will engage the reader. When researching for my novels, this book can help keep structure in my research, and reference as needed throughout my writing. I own a copy of this book and appreciate the expertise in its writing.

Very good job of covering the intricacies of developing scenes in fiction writing.

A wonderful book that helps in crafting your scenes, from the very beginning of your book to the end. It has very detailed help and shows not only how story arch works in the scene itself, but across your book as a whole. Rosenfeld uses great imagery and step-by-step demonstrations to help writers of all levels.

This book gives an excellent breakdown of several kinds of scenes and how to construct them. The author quotes works I know as examples, which was helpful. Rosenfeld writes clearly, with intelligence and charm, a useful talent when dealing with a subject that can be dry. My last writing book on scenes put me to sleep repeatedly, but not this one.

An excellent book for beginning writers, Make a Scene can also benefit a veteran who needs to take her writing from intuition into conscious choice in order to improve.