Can I use "make a success of" to imply that something succeeds?
For example:
There are many famous novelists who made a complete success of their first novel.
I want to say that the novelists succeeded in their first novel.
word-choice
Can I use "make a success of" to imply that something succeeds?
For example:
There are many famous novelists who made a complete success of their first novel.
I want to say that the novelists succeeded in their first novel.
Best Answer
"... whose first novel was a complete success" sounds better. It is possible to "make [someone/something] a success", as in, "Her first novel made her a success almost overnight.", but "make a success of" doesn't sound right.
Ironically, you can "make a mess of" something. But not a success of it.