What do you think?
Rate this book
Genre Writing Series
How to Write Action Adventure Novels
In this book veteran adventure author Michael Newton helps you hammer the heavies in your own rapid-fire action novel. Here, in words as plain as a three-day beard, he shows *how the genre exploded into prominence - and why it's hot today *how to pull subject ideas from this morning's headlines *how to hone your opening - and hook your readers *how to deliver believable, suspenseful well-paced action *how to people your book with vivid, hard-edged characters *how to handle violence effectively and realistically *why you need to know your weaponry *how to go about getting your book published. Set your sights. Then take Newton's advice. You'll write a tough, taut adventure novel. And the city will be safe once more....until your next book.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
Hardcover
First published June 16, 2011
20 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Michael Newton
469 books104 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
From Wikipedia:
"Michael Newton (born 1951) is an American author best known for his work on Don Pendleton's Mack Bolan series. Newton first began work on the Executioner series by co-writing "The Executioner's War Book" with Don Pendleton in 1977. Since then he has been a steady writer for the series with almost 90 entries to his credit, which triples the amount written by creator Don Pendleton. His skills and knowledge of the series have allowed him to be picked by the publishers to write the milestone novels such as #100, #200, and #300.
Writing under the pseudonym Lyle Brandt, Michael Newton has also become a popular writer of Western novels. He has written a number of successful non-fiction titles as well, including a book on genre writing (How to Write Action Adventure Novels). His book Invisible Empire: The Ku Klux Klan in Florida won the Florida Historical Society's 2002 Rembert Patrick Award for Best Book in Florida History. Newton's "Encyclopedia of Cryptozoology" won the American Library Association's award for Outstanding Reference Work in 2006."
Pen names: Lyle Brandt, Don Pendleton, Jack Buchanan
Bibiliography available here.
From Wikipedia:
"Michael Newton (born 1951) is an American author best known for his work on Don Pendleton's Mack Bolan series. Newton first began work on the Executioner series by co-writing "The Executioner's War Book" with Don Pendleton in 1977. Since then he has been a steady writer for the series with almost 90 entries to his credit, which triples the amount written by creator Don Pendleton. His skills and knowledge of the series have allowed him to be picked by the publishers to write the milestone novels such as #100, #200, and #300.
Writing under the pseudonym Lyle Brandt, Michael Newton has also become a popular writer of Western novels. He has written a number of successful non-fiction titles as well, including a book on genre writing (How to Write Action Adventure Novels). His book Invisible Empire: The Ku Klux Klan in Florida won the Florida Historical Society's 2002 Rembert Patrick Award for Best Book in Florida History. Newton's "Encyclopedia of Cryptozoology" won the American Library Association's award for Outstanding Reference Work in 2006."
Pen names: Lyle Brandt, Don Pendleton, Jack Buchanan
Bibiliography available here.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 26, 2019
I thought this was generally pretty good. For one it is really well written, clear and with touches of humor. I'll be wanting to pick up some of Newton's fiction. As for information, the least useful stuff was on publishers who print Action/adventure because this book was published in 1989 and quite a bit of that has changed. His information about self-publishing is out of date too. But the sources he cites for resources are mostly still good, or have been superseded by similar sources. His individual sections about dialogue and about action are pretty good. As with many of these books, he perhaps tries to cast too wide a net, which limits the amount of information he can cover on any one issue.
Something I particularly enjoyed was his sharing of good and bad work from his own and other men's adventure writers. He certainly didn't pull punches on this, which was nice. He's also clearly got a wide range of personal influences and he brought in quotes and samples from Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and many others that you might not necessarily think fit this genre. I felt it was worthwhile.
Something I particularly enjoyed was his sharing of good and bad work from his own and other men's adventure writers. He certainly didn't pull punches on this, which was nice. He's also clearly got a wide range of personal influences and he brought in quotes and samples from Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and many others that you might not necessarily think fit this genre. I felt it was worthwhile.
May 3, 2021
I first came across Mike Newton via the Mack Bolan series. In fact, it was the SuperBolan A DYING EVIL (penned by Newton) that served as an introduction to the Bolan lore. In a way, much like discovering Metal Gear Solid and my father enlisting in the military, this changed my life, as it set me on a path to learn more about Mack Bolan, which in turn introduced me to folks such as (but not limited to) Ross Sidor, Jack Murphy, Chuck Rogers, and my writing mentor, Doug Wojtowicz.
When I heard recently that Newton had penned a novel about how to write an action-adventure novel, I immediately knew I needed to pick it up and give it a spin. All of Newton's contributions to the Bolan series had proven to be excellently written, and I eagerly awaited seeing what he had to say.
Having completed it, I can't help but ask, "Why did nobody give me this book when I was a pimply-faced 14-year-old trying his hand at writing a book?"
Just about every piece of advice Newton offers in the book is something I learned in my 20+ years of writing, either from Doug or through my own trial and error. From how to develop characters, to how to plot, to how graphic violence or sex should be in print, all of it is valid advice. Additionally, Newton's narrative voice is full of sarcasm that will leave aspiring authors laughing at his wit and at his examples of what constitutes bad writing.
The only nitpick I have is the chapter about publishing. I can't help but wonder how much the publishing scene has changed since Newton penned this book 33 years ago. Self-publishing is a much more feasible platform in the here and now, especially with the spread of Kindle Direct Publishing, and even more especially if one wishes to write an action thriller that doesn't meet the thematic requirements and political bend put forth by the traditional publishing houses.
Still, it's not a big enough nitpick to detract from my writing. I'll definitely be re-reading this one from time to time.
For new and aspiring writers, it's a comprehensive how-to that will certainly help steer them right and hone their craft. For seasoned veterans, it's a master refresher on the basics that should be studied periodically.
Very highly recommended.
When I heard recently that Newton had penned a novel about how to write an action-adventure novel, I immediately knew I needed to pick it up and give it a spin. All of Newton's contributions to the Bolan series had proven to be excellently written, and I eagerly awaited seeing what he had to say.
Having completed it, I can't help but ask, "Why did nobody give me this book when I was a pimply-faced 14-year-old trying his hand at writing a book?"
Just about every piece of advice Newton offers in the book is something I learned in my 20+ years of writing, either from Doug or through my own trial and error. From how to develop characters, to how to plot, to how graphic violence or sex should be in print, all of it is valid advice. Additionally, Newton's narrative voice is full of sarcasm that will leave aspiring authors laughing at his wit and at his examples of what constitutes bad writing.
The only nitpick I have is the chapter about publishing. I can't help but wonder how much the publishing scene has changed since Newton penned this book 33 years ago. Self-publishing is a much more feasible platform in the here and now, especially with the spread of Kindle Direct Publishing, and even more especially if one wishes to write an action thriller that doesn't meet the thematic requirements and political bend put forth by the traditional publishing houses.
Still, it's not a big enough nitpick to detract from my writing. I'll definitely be re-reading this one from time to time.
For new and aspiring writers, it's a comprehensive how-to that will certainly help steer them right and hone their craft. For seasoned veterans, it's a master refresher on the basics that should be studied periodically.
Very highly recommended.
October 22, 2020
Very (VERY VERY) dated. Lots of references to material for examples (as in what you'd expect action adventure novels from before the 1990s to be like) but there were sections I thought were universal and can still be applied (or at least considered) now.
I feel like I learned something. I'm just not sure what.
I feel like I learned something. I'm just not sure what.
June 17, 2019
I'll keep this brief: Newton approaches this helpful book on how to write in a particular genre with experience and professionalism. While some of the inside information he provides is out-dated now (being that this was published in 1989) regarding publishing, agents, marketing, and so on, his advice on the actual story-telling, from framing a novel, mapping out a plot, and how to handle characters, dialogue, content, and research; he's dead-on, I think. I will definitely be revisiting this one again for refreshers and pointers in the future as I continue my own journey in action/adventure writing.
October 8, 2017
A Classic With Some Good Advice
Much of the advice (specifically the advice related to finding agents and publishers and to avoid self-publishing) is very dated. Also dated are the numerous resources that the author recommends. The Internet has made many of those suggested resources completely obsolete. Nevertheless.... much of the advice is evergreen, and stands the test of time.
Much of the advice (specifically the advice related to finding agents and publishers and to avoid self-publishing) is very dated. Also dated are the numerous resources that the author recommends. The Internet has made many of those suggested resources completely obsolete. Nevertheless.... much of the advice is evergreen, and stands the test of time.
November 18, 2017
An interesting look at the action/adventure genre of fiction. One of the authors of the long-lasting Mack Bolan: Executioner series lays down a really good discussion and illustrates the building blocks that create the action/adventure novels. A Great 'Primer' for creating your own novel.
March 14, 2022
A Bit Dated, But Still Useful Insight
Once upon a time, many “manly men” were also readers. What did they read? Tales of action and adventure. Violence. Vengeance. Explosions. And some random encounters with wanton women.
It was a thriving market, with ongoing series like The Destroyer and The Executioner making lots of cash. It was such a money-making market that this book was written, detailing what made the stories work and how to research/write them.
The deconstruction of the genre is still an interesting read, and can be applied to modern #PulpRev and action scripts. After all, a lot of today’s action entertainments have roots in these types of stories.
As for the hints in doing research, it is very pre-internet, meaning it is referencing a lot of books. Perhaps some of these can still be found in local libraries, but the information they yield, like how police investigations are conducted and what types of firearms are common among soldiers if the Soviet Union, would probably only be useful if someone was writing something set in the mid-1980s.
Still, the book has its charms and its insights to yield into a genre mostly now out of favor, but potentially still a guilty pleasure in the age of independent digital publishing.
Once upon a time, many “manly men” were also readers. What did they read? Tales of action and adventure. Violence. Vengeance. Explosions. And some random encounters with wanton women.
It was a thriving market, with ongoing series like The Destroyer and The Executioner making lots of cash. It was such a money-making market that this book was written, detailing what made the stories work and how to research/write them.
The deconstruction of the genre is still an interesting read, and can be applied to modern #PulpRev and action scripts. After all, a lot of today’s action entertainments have roots in these types of stories.
As for the hints in doing research, it is very pre-internet, meaning it is referencing a lot of books. Perhaps some of these can still be found in local libraries, but the information they yield, like how police investigations are conducted and what types of firearms are common among soldiers if the Soviet Union, would probably only be useful if someone was writing something set in the mid-1980s.
Still, the book has its charms and its insights to yield into a genre mostly now out of favor, but potentially still a guilty pleasure in the age of independent digital publishing.
November 5, 2013
Contrary to Goodreads, there are Nook and Kindle editions of this book available. I am about 50% through my Kindle edition and, so far, am enjoying it.
I like the examples from real books, his own included, which allow me to associate his concepts with real words. The author has written books in the Mack Bolan, Executioner series. I am biased since I grew up reading those fast paced serial adventures.
Glad I found this tome....
I like the examples from real books, his own included, which allow me to associate his concepts with real words. The author has written books in the Mack Bolan, Executioner series. I am biased since I grew up reading those fast paced serial adventures.
Glad I found this tome....
May 19, 2013
I found the recommendations of reference books for action/adventure writers very useful and I intend to add some of them to my library.
March 31, 2015
Very outdated and definitely aimed at the male writer. There's good advice there, but you need to dig it out.
June 25, 2011
Didn’t seem particularly enlightening, but could be a useful book for beginners.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews