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The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing
Get advice from the best in the business on every part of the novel writing and publishing process!
In "The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 2nd Edition," you'll learn from the invaluable advice of established writers. Discover new ways to generate ideas, implement intriguing techniques, and find the inspiration you need to finish your work. This fully-revised edition includes a revamped marketing section that covers the unique challenges of today's publishing market and the boundless opportunities of online promotion.
Inside you'll find expert advice from dozens of bestselling authors and publishing professionals on how to: Master the elements of fiction, from plot and characters to dialogue and point of viewDevelop a unique voice and sensibility in your writingManage the practical aspects of writing, from overcoming writer's block to revising your workDetermine what elements your story needs to succeed in a particular genre science fiction, fantasy, mystery, suspense, inspirational, romance (mainstream and Christian), or historical fictionFind an agent, market your work, and get published or self-publish successfully
You'll also find interviews with some of the world's finest writers, including Margaret Atwood, Tom Clancy, Brock Clarke, Cory Doctorow, Dave Eggers, Elizabeth George, Jerry Jenkins, Stephen King, Megan McCafferty, Audrey Niffenegger, Joyce Carol Oates, Chuck Palahniuk, James Patterson, Richard Russo, Anne Tyler, John Updike, and Kurt Vonnegut. Their words will provide you with the guidance and encouragement of your very own writing mentor.
"The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing" is your one-stop resource for everything you need to know about the craft and business of creating a bestseller."
In "The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 2nd Edition," you'll learn from the invaluable advice of established writers. Discover new ways to generate ideas, implement intriguing techniques, and find the inspiration you need to finish your work. This fully-revised edition includes a revamped marketing section that covers the unique challenges of today's publishing market and the boundless opportunities of online promotion.
Inside you'll find expert advice from dozens of bestselling authors and publishing professionals on how to: Master the elements of fiction, from plot and characters to dialogue and point of viewDevelop a unique voice and sensibility in your writingManage the practical aspects of writing, from overcoming writer's block to revising your workDetermine what elements your story needs to succeed in a particular genre science fiction, fantasy, mystery, suspense, inspirational, romance (mainstream and Christian), or historical fictionFind an agent, market your work, and get published or self-publish successfully
You'll also find interviews with some of the world's finest writers, including Margaret Atwood, Tom Clancy, Brock Clarke, Cory Doctorow, Dave Eggers, Elizabeth George, Jerry Jenkins, Stephen King, Megan McCafferty, Audrey Niffenegger, Joyce Carol Oates, Chuck Palahniuk, James Patterson, Richard Russo, Anne Tyler, John Updike, and Kurt Vonnegut. Their words will provide you with the guidance and encouragement of your very own writing mentor.
"The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing" is your one-stop resource for everything you need to know about the craft and business of creating a bestseller."
452 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1992
302 people are currently reading
2353 people want to read
About the author
Meg Leder
13 books102 followersA former bookseller and teacher, Meg Leder currently works as a book editor in New York City. Her role models are Harriet the Spy and Anne Shirley. She is the coauthor of The Happy Book, and spends her free time reading, looking for street art, and people watching. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
January 19, 2023
This book covers everything to do with novel writing.
It's ideal for beginners, such as myself because you get to learn the basics but also for more experienced writers looking to keep their skills sharp.
The chapters cover different aspects of novel writing and can be read in the order that interests the reader.
I've read a few similar books, this one is the best so far.
I recommend it if you'd like to have a go at writing, this is a great book with plenty of information to get you started and can be referred back to anytime you're snagged.
It's ideal for beginners, such as myself because you get to learn the basics but also for more experienced writers looking to keep their skills sharp.
The chapters cover different aspects of novel writing and can be read in the order that interests the reader.
I've read a few similar books, this one is the best so far.
I recommend it if you'd like to have a go at writing, this is a great book with plenty of information to get you started and can be referred back to anytime you're snagged.
June 3, 2017
Terrific collection of essays from a variety of writers and industry wonks on every aspect of writing and publishing a novel. I'll be dipping into this for inspiration for my own writing workshops and coaching.
October 2, 2019
I thought this book was informational
Read
January 2, 2012This is surprisingly a very dense, thorough, and wonderful collection of essays on writing. It’s not insipid or corny, like books on writing that tell you to let your juices flow and let the angels move you and anyone can write and all that. It’s also not as mean, maybe, as John Gardner. It’s realistic, and I would say it’s probably a better resource for beginning and intermediate writers than a lot of other works. It proves what I often stress, that I’ve learned the most about writing from, and gotten closer to final, good products and publications with, writers who would generally be pegged as “commercial,” “mainstream,” “not literary,” or “minor.” I think, whether you want to be a literary writer or a commercial writer or a ghost writer, but as long as you want to be both good and published, you stand to learn more from people who publish regularly to good sales and/or acclaim than moody MFA professors who publish a book a decade. Just saying. There is plenty to be learned at universities as well, but this is better. And cheaper.
This would be a great text for a course, and I think it has a fair amount to offer students of literature as well. There are a lot of dissections of genre and style and structure, and some matter of fact, pragmatic statements on market, marketing, and reception—i.e. “General fiction is anything written by a male that both men and women read. Women’s fiction can be written by men or women, but is aimed at women, since most American men don’t (yes, you may read ‘won’t’ here) read women fiction writers unless it’s in a genre they can publicly relate to—a genre like mystery.” I think that’s good for any aspiring writer, critic, or student to have in mind.
You could just read every back issue of Writer's Digest to get all this, but it's nice having it in one handy Kindle edition (free!).
This would be a great text for a course, and I think it has a fair amount to offer students of literature as well. There are a lot of dissections of genre and style and structure, and some matter of fact, pragmatic statements on market, marketing, and reception—i.e. “General fiction is anything written by a male that both men and women read. Women’s fiction can be written by men or women, but is aimed at women, since most American men don’t (yes, you may read ‘won’t’ here) read women fiction writers unless it’s in a genre they can publicly relate to—a genre like mystery.” I think that’s good for any aspiring writer, critic, or student to have in mind.
You could just read every back issue of Writer's Digest to get all this, but it's nice having it in one handy Kindle edition (free!).
February 8, 2022
It’s taken me 13 months, but I finally finished it. Every Article in here held a purpose, and I’m excited to put everything I learned to use :)
September 9, 2025
The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing offers prospective fiction writers a wealth of material, but its breadth can sometimes become a liability. On the positive side, the collection of essays and interviews exposes new writers to a wide range of approaches to craft, from character development and dialogue to plotting and revision. This polyphony helps demystify the process of prose fiction writing, showing that there is no single formula. For beginners who often feel locked out of the professional world of authorship, hearing from celebrated figures like Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, or George R. R. Martin can be both reassuring and enervating. The volume also covers the practical business of publishing (agents, markets, and promotion - not sure how quickly this become dated though).
At the same time, the format that makes the book rich also makes it uneven. Because it is a compilation rather than a unified guide, the advice is sometimes contradictory, forcing the amateur writer to sift through competing philosophies without always having the experience to evaluate which applies to their own work. Some essays assume a baseline of craft knowledge that the true beginner may not yet possess, making certain chapters feel less accessible. The marketing and publishing guidance, though updated in the latest edition, inevitably reflects a fast-changing industry and may already be incredibly dated in places. Ultimately, this is not a streamlined manual that will walk a novice step-by-step from idea to completed draft. Instead, it functions best as a reference and a companion, something to consult selectively when inspiration flags or when a particular craft problem arises. For amateur writers willing to engage critically with a patchwork of expert perspectives, it can be an invaluable resource to be in active conversation with.
At the same time, the format that makes the book rich also makes it uneven. Because it is a compilation rather than a unified guide, the advice is sometimes contradictory, forcing the amateur writer to sift through competing philosophies without always having the experience to evaluate which applies to their own work. Some essays assume a baseline of craft knowledge that the true beginner may not yet possess, making certain chapters feel less accessible. The marketing and publishing guidance, though updated in the latest edition, inevitably reflects a fast-changing industry and may already be incredibly dated in places. Ultimately, this is not a streamlined manual that will walk a novice step-by-step from idea to completed draft. Instead, it functions best as a reference and a companion, something to consult selectively when inspiration flags or when a particular craft problem arises. For amateur writers willing to engage critically with a patchwork of expert perspectives, it can be an invaluable resource to be in active conversation with.
November 4, 2014
This book was insanely helpful to me. I've used a lot of the tips contained within - especially the idea of keeping a journal as you're writing in order to document where your brain is and possibly some ideas that you aren't yet ready to completely flesh out. The book was chock full of useful tips like that, and examples of things that other writers use to get through the process. It was presented in a format of articles and interviews that made it easy to set down the book when necessary, and then pick right back up from where I left off. I would highly recommend this book to my writer friends!
February 21, 2009
This book has advice for every aspect and genre of writing. This is one of the first books I read when I switched to writing fiction, and parts of it were immensely helpful. Some of this advice I've hear again in many other writing books, but others I've never heard again elsewhere despite the fact I found it insightful. I'd recommend this book to beginning writers.
May 8, 2008
This books is great for anyone who is either a)already an author, or b)starting to write. Great tips!
February 16, 2011
Writing good fiction and getting published is hard. Giving crappy advice on how to write is apparently the easiest thing in the world.
July 25, 2018
This is a book of articles by various well-selling authors on numerous subjects about writing. Some of the pieces were alright, but some were fantastic. My favorite part of the book were the interviews with various authors such as Margret Atwood and Stephen King. It was really neat to compare the writing styles of these successful people. Some use outlines, some didn't. Some worked a rigid schedule, other worked when they could. I came away with great advice, but also a sense that whatever works for you is actually fine too. These writers I had on pedestals came across as real people wrestling with the art of writing just like the rest of us. The main difference is they kept improving and didn't quit. A very inspiring book that works well as a reference tool. You can read just the articles that are interesting or pertinent and save the rest for later.
September 15, 2024
It's so hard to assign a rating to a book like this. All books on craft have to be read with a "take what works, leave what doesn't" mindset, and that's even more critical with this book where different authors offered opposing advice that directly contradicted some others. Outline, don't outline. Write everyday. Write when inspiration strikes. There was some really interesting stuff in here, and there were parts that I mentally threw in the trash because I know they're irrelevant to me and my processes. Overall, though, a worthwhile read. If nothing else, you get a glimpse into so many different processes, perspectives, and experiences and that's always worth it
Read
December 16, 2025Alas I still haven’t written a novel, 0 stars
November 29, 2023
Another interesting collection from The Writer’s Digest series. This book covers the basics of writing and features interviews with well-known authors, like Margaret Atwood and Tom Clancy. Highlights for me were the articles, The Plot Thickens, The Fifty-Page Dash, How To Start, A Four-Step Plan for Revision, Twenty-One Tweaks to a Better Tale, Producing a Knockout Novel Synopsis, and Marketing Your Novel: The Ten Commandments. Recommended for writers of all levels, but especially those in the beginning stages.
September 25, 2017
Uma coleção extensa e bem variada de artigos com dicas para escritores da famosa revista americana Writer's Digest
The Complete Handbook Of Novel Writing - Writer's Digest | NITROLEITURAS #guiaparaescritores #dicasparaescritores | 528 pgs. Writer's Digest Books (2017) | Lido de 21.09.17 a 25.09.17 no original em inglês.
SINOPSE
No "The Complete Handbook Of Novel Writing - Reader's Digest", 3rd Edition , você vai aprender com escritores estabelecidos sobre como fazer o seu romance uma realidade.
Descubra técnicas e estratégias para a geração de ideias, conectando com os leitores emocionalmente, e encontrar inspiração que você precisa para concluir seu trabalho.
Esta edição totalmente revista inclui uma seção de marketing atualizados para navegar os desafios e as possibilidades do mercado literário em evolução.
Dentro de você encontrará novos ensaios de dezenas de best-sellers e profissionais de publicação detalhando como:
-Dominar os elementos de ficção, de enredo e personagem para o diálogo e ponto de vista
-Desenvolver uma voz única e sensibilidade em sua escrita
-Gerenciar os aspectos práticos da escrita, e saiba como superar o bloqueio de escritoe, e técnicas para rever seu trabalho
-Determinar os elementos-chave para o sucesso em todos os gêneros
-Encontrar um agente, comercializar o seu trabalho, e seja publicado, ou auto-publicar com sucesso.
Você também encontrará entrevistas com alguns dos escritores melhores e mais populares do mundo, incluindo Margaret Atwood, David Baldacci, Lee Child, Robert Crais, Khaled Hosseini, Hugh Howey, Stephen king, Dennis Lehane, George RR Martin, Jojo Moyes , Anne Rice, Jane smiley, e Garth Stein. Seus insights sobre a arte e negócios de ficção irá lhe fornecer orientação inestimável como você embarcar em sua jornada de escritor.
RESENHA
Essa é realmente, em termos de tamanho, uma bíblia de dicas para escritores. O livro, que é na verdade uma reunião dos melhores artigos da revista Writer's Digest, tem dica de tudo quanto é tipo, dadas por escritoras e escritores de sucesso.
Tem muita sugestão interessante, indo desde aspectos práticos como a criação de uma rotina de escrita, até criação de histórias, caracterização de personagens, técnicas de marketing e promoção do escritor, e no final, uma série de entrevistas interessantes com escritores famosos.
Um guia muito bom, de temas bem variados, e que podem ajudar aos escritores iniciantes descobrirem maneiras de consertar o que não está funcionando muito bem tanto em sua escrita como em sua rotina de escritor.
Muitas dicas são bem valiosas, como a parte de inspiração e criação, métodos e estilos de prosa, as dificuldades dos gêneros literários, os segredos dos romances de mistério, suspense, horror, a importância de MOSTRAR mais do que NARRAR (e dessa vez explicada de um jeito tão legal, que irei fazer um NITRODICAS só com esse tema novamente), como aumentar e diminuir o ritmo da narrativa, etc.
Tem dicas sensacionais de monstros da literatura como Sephen King, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, James Patterson, entre muitos outros.
A parte do mundo dos negócios dos livros americanos, que achei fascinante e até mesmo amedontrador.
Merece destaque a entrevista com o Cory Doctorrow, sobre como usar a internet e como divulgar o seu trabalho através de uma plataforma online e permitindo a cópia por meio da licença Creative Commons.
E, como uma prova da complexidade da arte da escrita, muitos conselhos dos artigos são contraditos por outros conselhos em outros artigos. Ou seja, cada escritor tem que descobrir o seu próprio caminho mesmo, porém, ler o testemunho de escritoras e escritores que estão na mesma labuta, ajuda demais.
Recomendadíssimo!
ONDE COMPRAR
Amazon:
The Complete Handbook Of Novel Writing: Everything You Need to Know About Creating & Selling Your Work
Link: https://goo.gl/NuMSFH
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The Complete Handbook Of Novel Writing - Writer's Digest | NITROLEITURAS #guiaparaescritores #dicasparaescritores | 528 pgs. Writer's Digest Books (2017) | Lido de 21.09.17 a 25.09.17 no original em inglês.
SINOPSE
No "The Complete Handbook Of Novel Writing - Reader's Digest", 3rd Edition , você vai aprender com escritores estabelecidos sobre como fazer o seu romance uma realidade.
Descubra técnicas e estratégias para a geração de ideias, conectando com os leitores emocionalmente, e encontrar inspiração que você precisa para concluir seu trabalho.
Esta edição totalmente revista inclui uma seção de marketing atualizados para navegar os desafios e as possibilidades do mercado literário em evolução.
Dentro de você encontrará novos ensaios de dezenas de best-sellers e profissionais de publicação detalhando como:
-Dominar os elementos de ficção, de enredo e personagem para o diálogo e ponto de vista
-Desenvolver uma voz única e sensibilidade em sua escrita
-Gerenciar os aspectos práticos da escrita, e saiba como superar o bloqueio de escritoe, e técnicas para rever seu trabalho
-Determinar os elementos-chave para o sucesso em todos os gêneros
-Encontrar um agente, comercializar o seu trabalho, e seja publicado, ou auto-publicar com sucesso.
Você também encontrará entrevistas com alguns dos escritores melhores e mais populares do mundo, incluindo Margaret Atwood, David Baldacci, Lee Child, Robert Crais, Khaled Hosseini, Hugh Howey, Stephen king, Dennis Lehane, George RR Martin, Jojo Moyes , Anne Rice, Jane smiley, e Garth Stein. Seus insights sobre a arte e negócios de ficção irá lhe fornecer orientação inestimável como você embarcar em sua jornada de escritor.
RESENHA
Essa é realmente, em termos de tamanho, uma bíblia de dicas para escritores. O livro, que é na verdade uma reunião dos melhores artigos da revista Writer's Digest, tem dica de tudo quanto é tipo, dadas por escritoras e escritores de sucesso.
Tem muita sugestão interessante, indo desde aspectos práticos como a criação de uma rotina de escrita, até criação de histórias, caracterização de personagens, técnicas de marketing e promoção do escritor, e no final, uma série de entrevistas interessantes com escritores famosos.
Um guia muito bom, de temas bem variados, e que podem ajudar aos escritores iniciantes descobrirem maneiras de consertar o que não está funcionando muito bem tanto em sua escrita como em sua rotina de escritor.
Muitas dicas são bem valiosas, como a parte de inspiração e criação, métodos e estilos de prosa, as dificuldades dos gêneros literários, os segredos dos romances de mistério, suspense, horror, a importância de MOSTRAR mais do que NARRAR (e dessa vez explicada de um jeito tão legal, que irei fazer um NITRODICAS só com esse tema novamente), como aumentar e diminuir o ritmo da narrativa, etc.
Tem dicas sensacionais de monstros da literatura como Sephen King, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, James Patterson, entre muitos outros.
A parte do mundo dos negócios dos livros americanos, que achei fascinante e até mesmo amedontrador.
Merece destaque a entrevista com o Cory Doctorrow, sobre como usar a internet e como divulgar o seu trabalho através de uma plataforma online e permitindo a cópia por meio da licença Creative Commons.
E, como uma prova da complexidade da arte da escrita, muitos conselhos dos artigos são contraditos por outros conselhos em outros artigos. Ou seja, cada escritor tem que descobrir o seu próprio caminho mesmo, porém, ler o testemunho de escritoras e escritores que estão na mesma labuta, ajuda demais.
Recomendadíssimo!
ONDE COMPRAR
Amazon:
The Complete Handbook Of Novel Writing: Everything You Need to Know About Creating & Selling Your Work
Link: https://goo.gl/NuMSFH
___________________________________________
Se você gostou, se inscreva no CANAL NITROBLOG no YOUTUBE!
https://goo.gl/3ZNWbM
E conheça o meu CANAL de DICAS DIÁRIAS DE INGLÊS, o MELHORE SEU INGLÊS!
https://goo.gl/ATUJc3
ASSOCIADOS AMAZON LINK:
https://goo.gl/pP1CmY
Compre livros na AMAZON e contribua com o NITROBLOG e o MELHORE SEU INGLÊS - Canais do Youtube!
CONTOS E LIVROS DE NEWTON NITRO
Conheça meus Contos e Livros (Download Gratuito!)
https://goo.gl/AXJIl4
ROMANCE MARCA DA CAVEIRA
https://goo.gl/24sOu1
SERVIÇOS DE LEITURA CRÍTICA
https://goo.gl/VDx6nh
Newton Nitro
https://goo.gl/2RCewf
___________________________________
BLOGS
NITROBLOG - Livros, Contos, Poesias, Resenhas Literárias, Quadrinhos, Filmes e muitas outras coisas Nerds!
https://goo.gl/bJffyf
NITRODUNGEON - Material e Dicas de RPG.
https://goo.gl/TVvr6f
MELHORE SEU INGLÊS BOG - Dicas e Atividades Diárias de Inglês
https://goo.gl/V6dDk8
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Melhore Seu Inglês PODCAST no ITUNES
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Melhore Seu Inglês PODCAST no PODBEAN
https://goo.gl/3z2Lby
Melhore Seu Inglês PODCAST no INTERNET ARCHIVE
https://goo.gl/H4aB6U
____________________________________
Érika & Newton - Inglês por Skype
Faça uma AULA EXPERIMENTAL GRATUITA!
Também FAZEMOS TRADUÇÕES EM INGLÊS!
Aulas TODOS OS DIAS, de 7 às 23 horas!
CONTATO
Newton Rocha | Professor de Inglês - Aulas por Skype
WhatsApp: 9143-7388 | Skype: prof.newtonrocha@gmail.com
LinkedIin: https://goo.gl/7rajxF
Facebook: https://goo.gl/aokHM1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tionitro
Google +: https://goo.gl/J35qE8
Youtube Canal Nitroblog:https://goo.gl/ti9rs5
Érika de Pádua | Professora de Inglês - Aulas por Skype
WhatsApp: (31) 9223-5540 | Skype: erikadepadua@gmail.com
Linkedin: https://goo.gl/2c6QIb
Facebook: https://goo.gl/mqP5RK
Google +: https://goo.gl/bLjuCx
October 11, 2018
An excellent writing guide, suited for writers of all levels.
I think this collection of essays and articles will have the most utility to the beginning writer. There's everything a writer who has decided to be serious about it will need. How to get started. How to find time for writing. Pacing. Character. Plot. Theme. Genre. It's all there.
It will be almost as good for the intermediate writer. Agents. Publishing. Whether to go indie or traditional.
Even the active, professional publishing writer will get stuff out of this. Marketing. Advanced writing techniques. Movie rights.
As an emerging neo-pro with some publications but no big successes yet, I got quite a lot out of it. The whole thing was worth the read, and I think I'm going to keep it in my personal library, rather than pass it along. I will likely reference it again several times in the future.
In short: highly recommended to writers of all levels.
I think this collection of essays and articles will have the most utility to the beginning writer. There's everything a writer who has decided to be serious about it will need. How to get started. How to find time for writing. Pacing. Character. Plot. Theme. Genre. It's all there.
It will be almost as good for the intermediate writer. Agents. Publishing. Whether to go indie or traditional.
Even the active, professional publishing writer will get stuff out of this. Marketing. Advanced writing techniques. Movie rights.
As an emerging neo-pro with some publications but no big successes yet, I got quite a lot out of it. The whole thing was worth the read, and I think I'm going to keep it in my personal library, rather than pass it along. I will likely reference it again several times in the future.
In short: highly recommended to writers of all levels.
October 22, 2017
|4.5 Stars|
You know? I really liked this. I really did. I think one way that it really managed to be better than a lot of other books I've read about writing was due to the fact that it wasn't just one writer telling you what to do. It collected essays from a bunch of different authors, and it worked really well. I thought it was an insightful book and a good one, and I'm glad I read it.
You know? I really liked this. I really did. I think one way that it really managed to be better than a lot of other books I've read about writing was due to the fact that it wasn't just one writer telling you what to do. It collected essays from a bunch of different authors, and it worked really well. I thought it was an insightful book and a good one, and I'm glad I read it.
November 11, 2008
A good collection of essays about various aspects of novel writing from start to publication. I found a couple particularly helpful for where I'm at right now, and I know that as I write I'll find others helpful too. Lawrence Block's essay was particularly funny.
April 23, 2010
Writing tips on a variety of topics from a variety of authors. I thought the one from Richard Russo was great as well as the article on point of view. Just like any other writing book, take the tips that work for you and throw the others out. But this one had lots to choose from.
February 20, 2014
This book tells you how to choose how you want to write your book in first person, 2nd, 3rd. Also explains how to get a publisher and what to look for. Talks about plots, characters, etc. Just a lot of useful information in here.
Want to read
August 24, 2009I found this book the bookshelf, (my real one at home)and it looked interesting, plus I've always wanted to be a writer.
July 26, 2017
An excellent collection of essays on novel writing.
April 13, 2019
There was some good information in here, particularly for beginning writers. Each chapter is an excerpt from a different book or a previously published piece, so there are some contradictory statements made by the various writers (about the "best" way to write), but I liked seeing the variety in approaches. Some of the information is the same, however, and therefore repetitive. This was a little annoying.
I especially liked reading about various authors' backgrounds and how they first got into the business. Very interesting stuff!
"Beginning a novel is always hard. It feels like going nowhere. I always have to write at least one hundred pages that go into the trashcan before it finally begins to work. It's discouraging, but necessary to write those pages." p 170, Barbara Kingsolver
"The Shakers, whose furniture represents perhaps the ultimate expression of form meeting function, considered the construction of each piece an act of prayer inspired by the grace of God. You may not consider your writing an act of prayer or call upon the grace of God....to inspire you, but if you do, you are honoring the very meaning of the word inspiration, which comes from the Latin inspiratio, meaning "breath of God" or "divine guidance." p 20, Paula Munier
I especially liked reading about various authors' backgrounds and how they first got into the business. Very interesting stuff!
"Beginning a novel is always hard. It feels like going nowhere. I always have to write at least one hundred pages that go into the trashcan before it finally begins to work. It's discouraging, but necessary to write those pages." p 170, Barbara Kingsolver
"The Shakers, whose furniture represents perhaps the ultimate expression of form meeting function, considered the construction of each piece an act of prayer inspired by the grace of God. You may not consider your writing an act of prayer or call upon the grace of God....to inspire you, but if you do, you are honoring the very meaning of the word inspiration, which comes from the Latin inspiratio, meaning "breath of God" or "divine guidance." p 20, Paula Munier
April 27, 2018
Comprehensive, thoughtful, varied, enlightening, motivating. Some of the individual contributors, like Jane Friedman or Mary Kole, are too strong-armed or hard-headed about writing or habits, but over the course of the entire book, the wealth and diversity of the voices mostly drowns out the unhelpfulness of one or two of the articles. The short anecdotes and interviews with authors in the latter part of the book proved most valuable to me; they provided validation into processes and encouraged different approaches to writing. I learned a lot, and some of the chapters (and quotations) were a joy to read!
October 26, 2019
Most of the articles in this book were great. I’d say there were certainly ones I enjoyed more and seemed more useful than others, but you’d expect that as every writer has different strengths and weaknesses. Overall very helpful and gave me several new techniques to use in my writing. I especially liked one suggestion of ‘interviewing’ your characters when you get stuck. If I’m really stuck, I now open a fresh document and take on a role as a psychiatrist with my character, asking her questions about how she is feeling in her present moment and what she thinks of the world around her.
December 2, 2020
Would recommend to anyone trying/wanting to write a first novel or get published.
I've always taken an idea, done a small amount of research and then let the writing lead the way. This book has helped me to structure my research, not just on time and place but also in great depth on: character's, plot, timelines, conflict, suspense and narrative focus. There's so much I'd been missing in my groundwork that was making my novels wobbly on top. I feel my main structure has come together much better.
I've always taken an idea, done a small amount of research and then let the writing lead the way. This book has helped me to structure my research, not just on time and place but also in great depth on: character's, plot, timelines, conflict, suspense and narrative focus. There's so much I'd been missing in my groundwork that was making my novels wobbly on top. I feel my main structure has come together much better.
December 11, 2020
Here's the deal: the true test of this book will be the second half of this promise: everything I need to know to create & SELL YOUR WORK. I won't know until I fully finish my work, but I have been implementing several techniques from this book in a new story's conception, and, boy, the process is going so much smoother. Not to mention, the sole act of reading this book - especially the interviews in the back - serves as amazing motivation to continue my craft. I recommend sections of this book to my writing group all the time or bring up its advice for all types of writers.
Right now, it gets five stars because I enjoyed reading it. It fills me with inspiration and a sense of distant community with other writers. The structure of the book through the stages of writing - from idea stage to getting published and beyond - is super helpful, feels comprehensive at least right now, and allows me to track where I am in the process. However, if I discover that the tips and tricks don't serve me or, worse, stall my writing or publishing track in severe ways, I will lower my writing and rewrite this review.
Right now, it gets five stars because I enjoyed reading it. It fills me with inspiration and a sense of distant community with other writers. The structure of the book through the stages of writing - from idea stage to getting published and beyond - is super helpful, feels comprehensive at least right now, and allows me to track where I am in the process. However, if I discover that the tips and tricks don't serve me or, worse, stall my writing or publishing track in severe ways, I will lower my writing and rewrite this review.
November 20, 2023
it be long, but it's by far the best book on writing that i've read out of a handful, and i think it's hard to beat
the reason that it's so good is because it aggregates the perspectives of multiple writers. reading a book by a single author about writing is useful because it provides one more data point on writing -- one that might not necessarily coincide with yours
well, read this book, and you'll synthesize the ideas efficiently, overall sorts of topics, and see what the commonalities are in how people think about writing
the reason that it's so good is because it aggregates the perspectives of multiple writers. reading a book by a single author about writing is useful because it provides one more data point on writing -- one that might not necessarily coincide with yours
well, read this book, and you'll synthesize the ideas efficiently, overall sorts of topics, and see what the commonalities are in how people think about writing
February 11, 2025
This has been pretty useful to me as I go about more intensive editing and reworking of projects than I really have practice doing. It’s very informational, and at times formulaic- some advice might work for you, some might not, but I worked through it piece by piece depending on what section was most relevant at the time. I don’t think an absolutely flawless writing instructional exists because of how relative one’s experience can be, but it fit the bill for what I needed and would be useful to other writers like me who are still honing some of the finer skills of story building.
January 13, 2019
I'm giving this two stars because I really liked the interviews at the end (Dennis Lehane, amirite?). Otherwise it would be a one star read. Just a lot of regurgitated drivel, junk writing that might impress a very young writer, but not anyone who's had any experience at at all. Not sure what I was expecting from Writer's Digest, but I'm going to read Zen In the Art of Writing to get the bad taste out of my mouth.
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