The Successful Novelist: A Lifetime of Lessons about Writing and Publishing

by David Morrell

Learn how to write a novel from a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author with more than fifty years of writing and publishing experience. The Successful Novelist is one of the best books on writing fiction for aspiring and experienced writers alike. David Morrell, bestselling author of First Blood , The Brotherhood of the Rose , and The Fifth Profession , tackles everything from the craft of writing and dealing with writer's block to the psychology of being a fiction writer and how to market a book. By reading this book, you'll learn how to overcome common obstacles standing in your way of becoming a successful novelist and creating better fiction in the process. Plus, it's great reference guide if you're participating in NaNoWriMo! Topics covered Praise for The Successful Novelist : "Like listening to a beloved brother. I found the acute observations and his narrative philosophy more valuable for the new writer than the contents of any 100 other texts."―Dean Koontz, international bestselling author whose books have sold over 500 million copies "This is the best guidebook to both writing and the business of writing that I've ever read."―Peter Straub, award-winning novelist and poet " The Successful Novelist is the vehicle you want if you plan to drive your way to successful fiction."―Joe R. Lansdale, award-winning author of 45 novels

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Self Help, Audiobook, Crafts

219 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

David Morrell is a Canadian novelist from Kitchener, Ontario, who has been living in the United States for a number of years. He is best known for his debut 1972 novel First Blood, which would later become a successful film franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. More recently, he has been writing the Captain America comic books limited-series The Chosen.

Reviews

[Anthony Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veteran thriller writer David Morrell provides an unsentimental look at the practicalities of making a living as a novelist. Morrell has spent many years as a teacher and it shows in the careful construction of the lessons offered here. I found this to be on a par with Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’, even superior at times in Morrell’s detailed explanations of plotting, description and dialogue. Choc full of anecdotes that are equal parts entertaining and informative - including a fascinating account the intersection between novels and movies (spoiler alert: Rambo was very different in the book) — aspiring writers will find a great deal of inspiration amongst the pragmatism.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive overview of how to go about becoming a writer with a matter of fact style.

David morrell who wrote first blood, the basis for the Rambo movies is a literature professor who expects would be writers to be well read and have an understanding of the history of their chosen genre. He is adamant that many ideas people have for novels are just nebulous situations and not plots and making an actual, coherent book out of it is a tremendous amount of work.
I constantly have story ideas along those lines and have several times been frustrated in attempts to complete even a first draft of a story so I’m forced to agree.

[T.L. Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Morrell opens The Successful Novelist with the most important question a writer will ever answer. “Why Do You Want to be a Writer?” He pushes the reader to go deep into his/her emotional state to answer the question. The rest of the book is filled with examples from Morrell’s life that illustrate the importance of knowing the emotional reason a writer writes. Interweaved is practical writing advice and look inside the mind of the man who created Rambo. The Successful Novelist also delves into the writing world, the publishing industry, and the movie industry. Whether you’ve just written your first novel or your thirtieth novel, you’re likely to find something inspiring, informative, and entertaining in the pages of The Successful Novelist.

[Иван Величков · Rating 4 out of 5]

Морел се оказа изключително сладкодумен разказвач, дори когато литературата му не е художествена. Изказът му е много обран и на място, не е учудващо, след като разбрах, че докторската му степен по литература е придобита с тема за творчеството на Хемингуей. Може да пише жанрова литература, но познанията му се разпростират (както на булшинството жанрови писатели) на широко извън предпочитанията му за писане.
Съветите, които дава много малко засягат техническата част на писането (за разлика от да речем Урсула Легуин и нейната "Stirring the craft"), за сметка на това имаше изключително забавни и поучителни части относно кино индустрията, а главата за промотиране на собствените творби сигурно трябва да влезе в учебниците за писатели (Има ли такива? Надявам се не.) Апропо, за пореден път се убеждавам колко сме назад в целия книжен бизнес. Тенденции в книгоразпространението, които тук вървяха до настъпването на новия век, че и 2-3 години след това, в САЩ са изчезнали още в средата на седемдесетте, други, които в момента са популярни, са били в пика си там преди 30 години. А когато е писана самата книга навлизат неща, които тук тепърва срамежливо подават глава, но от тази гледна точка поне има какво полезно да се вземе.
Да се върна на писането - проф. Морел цитира огромно количество източници и за разлика от други автори, не си приписва техния опит. От професионални психиатри (там в главата за писателския блокаж) до книжката на Стивън Кинг за писането. Личният му опит също е доста богат и случките от него са разказани с голяма доза скромност и самоирония (дано да не е само поза).
Чете се като художествена литература и самият текст носи наслада.

[Barb Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best writing books I’ve read. He’s not only a terrific writer but teacher. A look at the details of what makes good writing in plot, character, dialogue and more.

[Rhonda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER? how do you find ideas? how do you know what a good idea is? where do you begin a story, overcome writer's block, and how to sell the darn thing. as a budding novelist myself, i have constantly been looking for a reference guide to help me discover the answers to those (and a great many other) questions. this book does it all. i loved the info it provided so much that i bought a copy for two of my friends who were writers, and a second copy on audiobook. if you want to learn how to write and how to sell, get this book first.

[Suz Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

“No matter how many years I’ve been writing, I still need to remind myself that this is only my first draft and that it’s okay to make mistakes. I’ll make hundreds of corrections before I’m ready to submit the manuscript. For now, all that matters is surrendering to the idea and getting those initial words on the page.”

There’s lots to love in this book as Morrell gets down to the nuts and bolts of writing and publishing a novel. I really enjoyed some historical tidbits such as how Jacqueline Suzanne discovered tricks to increase sales by buying truckers donuts, and Morrell is quite the salesman himself. He uses examples from his books to make his points, and he made his work sound so fantastic, I couldn’t help but pick up a few of his books along with Dennis Palumbo’s WRITING FROM THE INSIDE OUT, which Morrell recommends in the chapter about dealing with writer’s block.

There are some sticking points, however, in that the book is pretty dated, particularly the later chapters which mention things like MySpace, typewriters, and carbon paper. Also, a few times Morrell presents opinion as fact, such as his feelings about writing in first person point of view. All in all, I enjoyed the book and look forward to digging into the books he inspired me to buy.

[Armand Rosamilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books out there about writing and publishing, with no-nonsense breakdowns of the author's career, the highs and lows and the practical advice he gives you. The author also has a long and storied career, too, so he knows what he's talking about.

[Alison McMahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring guide for beginning and intermediate writers, but even advanced writers will find inspiration here. Morrell writes caringly from his many years of experience in an accessible way.
He pulls the curtain aside on various mysteries of writing. Not to be missed by anyone who takes their writing seriously.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended by the number one book reviewer in South Korea, Mr. Johnathan Shaver. His good taste and discerning eye were confirmed time and again by the content. Mr. Shaver was discriminating in his acceptance of Mr. Morrell's advice, which he then chose to pass on to others. I am blessed, thankful, and lucky indeed to be graced with correspondences from the number one book reviewer in South Korea. I look forward-with an eager and joyful soul-to the day on which I shall be re-united with this esteemed colleague here on American soil, should Mr. Shaver condescend to travel within my region.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! And the author is to be the Feb speaker at my Writer's Group. His "method" of preparation suits me - write myself a letter about why I want/need to write, ask "so what" ask "why" and flesh out characters, situations etc in a rough manner first. Chapters on Character, Structure, Voice, doing my research and a great chapter on dialogue. This is "Rambo's" Dad if you didn't know. He's also written lots of other books and series.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best overview of the technical aspects and business of writing that I've ever read. I would reccommend this book to any new writer...and most veteran writers as well. Lots of good ideas about writing and helpful info relating to working with potential agents and publishers. Plus, its written in a very relaxed, non-academic style that makes it as fun to read as it is informative.

[Preston Glidden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books about writing are quite dry, but Morrell has succeeded in writing a very enjoyable book that combines excellent how-to tips with career advice for the aspiring novelist. His stories from the trenches are very instructive, and I admire his willingness to admit his own mistakes. Highly recommended, and I will be re-reading this book as I get into the meat of writing my own novel.

[Wayne Marinovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to my writing reference books. The author shares so much of his personal experience in getting quality fiction out to the market that you will pick up something every time you read it .

[Dariosk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely useful for anybody thinking about writing a novel.
Also, it would be useful for literary critics or for anyone trying to understand why some novels are great and most are plain boring.

[Rex Fuller]

Excellent advice to writers. Good to keep next to Stephen King's On Writing.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

So close to a 5, but I'm giving this a 4.5, not due to any fault of the author, but due to the evolution of the publishing industry. Morrell's focus here is on traditional publishing, and due to the book's age, it doesn't really get a chance to talk about the rise of independent publishing and e-books, though it does talk about the author-as-marketer, which is a key part of both traditional and indie publishing.

Okay, so that's literally the only negative thing I have to say about this book. I loved everything else about it, particularly learning about the up and down journey of making First Blood into a movie. Did you know the Rambo series might have had ninjas? Or James Bond-ish space satellites? This section in particular highlights one of the key nuggets of Morrell's experiential wisdom: getting traditionally published, or getting your book made into a movie, is as much about luck as anything else.

Don't get me wrong, there's skill involved as well, and Morrell dives deep into providing practical no-nonsense advice for writers: don't be boring, keep things moving, use the senses, have a strong first sentence, and avoid excess. He's a lover of Hemingway, Bronte, Dickens, and Faulkner. He's also a big believer in making sure you study the history and the important works of whatever genre you're hoping to write in. He tells a story about a former student who wrote a crime novel without ever really reading many crime novels...and ended up writing something that was competent and solid, but which felt derivative because the person had no anchor to point to when it came to his work. "Don't imitate, innovate" is a not-so-annoying platitude that Morrell espouses throughout this instructional guide. This ethos, mixed with pushing for a deep knowledge of the books that have come before you, make for a writing approach that is tangible - that has punch.

While I don't think he's as in-your-face as Steven Pressfield when it comes to kicking authors in their collective asses, I have no doubt that Morrell and Pressfield would get along quite well. Neither one of them has time for would-be writers who are just big-time talkers and excuse makers. Both push their students to get their asses in their chairs and to put the time in to become what they say they want to be.

One of the contentious parts of this book is when Morrell goes off about learned writing skills vs. innate talent. Unless I'm mistaken, he believes that writers are born, or at least grown in the early parts of their lives, instead of made. This is a little strange given the amount of time he dedicates to teaching the technical aspects of the craft. One of my favourite bits is when he admits that he has no time for people whom he meets and who say "I'm going to write a book one day," as if it's something that's easy to do, the very utterance of the sentence a slap in the face to those who put the WORK into their work and who struggle with their demons and their passion to get things out.

Morrell has a deep respect for those who came before him, and those who are attempting to capture life on a page in the now. He clearly loves his craft, and he's damn good at transmitting the same energy he feels while in the grasp of the muse into a book just like this one. I admire that.

So, do you want to be a writer? Read this book and find out not only the HOW, but get a glimpse at your own unique WHY. For most, the answer to why is simple: because they need to be. The question becomes more interesting when you follow that up with, well, why do you need to be? That's the question only you can answer.

[Zachry Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before releasing my first novel, I spent a great deal of time nose-deep in books about writing. Some were great, like Stephen King’s On Writing. Some were not-so-great, like any book about publishing technology (the slow turnaround means they’re obsolete before they hit the shelf). But it’s all informative and necessary, because first-time authors will go through a mountain of tomes on a quest to improve their writing.

At this point, I have spent a decade as an active author. I have published 25 titles over four different sagas. It’s been a heck of a ride and I have learned a great deal about the craft. And the more you learn, the less help you need. At the same time, writing offers a bottomless well of improvement. It’s a skill you never truly master.

So in an effort to suss out my blind spots, I wanted to read another book on writing. Much to my surprise, I already had one sitting on my shelf: The Successful Novelist by David Morrell. My version was titled Lessons From a Lifetime of Writing, a first edition. I was lucky enough to meet David at the beginning of my writing career. I purchased a paperback and he was kind enough to sign it. However, it would vanish into my to-read pile and I never got around to reading it.

And if you’re curious as to stature of David Morrell, he’s the highly respected thriller author who wrote First Blood, which introduced Rambo to the world.

So imagine my embarrassment when I realized that I had a ten-year-old book on writing from the creator of Rambo, which I had neglected to read. Life gets in the way, excuses, blah blah blah. But I had reached at a point where I was hungry for new wisdom and I was curious how the book would hold up. And much to my delight, it held up very well.

This was mostly due to Morrell’s talent as a master storyteller. He doesn’t scold or lecture. He tells stories about how he created methods or reached conclusions. It’s all very engaging, and by the time you reach a core point, you understand how he got there. Be it plotting, structure, or characters, the advice he gives is evergreen.

The only negative would be the sections on business and technology, which are now dated. The writing world has changed a lot since this book was written, so much of the advice no longer applies (a common issue with how-to books). I don’t know if the latest editions have updated these sections, but it would be cool to hear how his process has adapted.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Successful Novelist. It offers some valuable insights into the craft, and it’s nice to know that I can still learn a thing or two after a decade in the industry. And if you’re just starting out, this book is an easy recommendation. Morrell is a font of wisdom that you can return to year after year. (And as an added bonus, you get to learn a lot of cool things about the Rambo movies.)

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is it scientifically possible to close the covers of The Successful Novelist, when it is so packed with useful information? At least get a brick or something to set on top. Maybe that will hold it.

David Morrell writes with brevity and prudence, alluding to his history as an educator, the type of teacher that scores high on ratemyprofessors. The type of professor that regales with actually interesting personal anecdotes. All the while remaining kind to the reader, constantly including reminders that “success” will require hard work, and no small bit of luck.

Morrell’s style makes for snappy learning. His insights and information whip by, with nary a confusing concept or impenetrable jargon to trip up the reader. Indeed, most of his lessons are engrossing–like writing the reader wants to learn to create. After seeing this skill on the page, whether done intentionally or as a result of subconscious practice, this effect can only energize one to sit down and do the same, write.

Speaking of the subconscious, Morrell presents novel ideas on writing that interlinks the psyche. Writing is treated as a form of therapy. He attempts to teach the reader how to use personal, hidden fears and traumas to galvanize creativity, how to talk to oneself to write interesting stories. While the process seems silly, it earnestly attempts to help the reader discover a singular, unique voice.

Notice the trend here. He is not teaching grammar. While this book is for beginner’s, Morrell assumes a high-school level understanding of English, and that the person reading already has some familiarity with writing stories. His teaching is more “don’t do this”, than “this is how you do it” when it comes to basics. That book is on a different shelf.

If unfamiliar with Morrell’s work, finding Rambo in these pages will be a surprise, and whether that enhances or detracts from the reading experience depends on one's personal feelings about Sylvester Stallone in ripped army fatigues. Ok, if Sly with guns blazing is a bit much, the stories about the creation of the character and how he changed once moving to Hollywood–who doesn’t?–serve as varied and disillusioning lessons throughout the text.

Fear not, an 80’s icon isn’t the main source of scholarship. Morrell includes numerous sources for the reader to further supplement what is an already packed manual.

So, to those out there serious about making a living from writing, audacious enough to think their stories are affecting enough to be paid for, maligned with the incurable sickness of writing, this book, at the very least, provides a strong method for the madness.

[Big Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely practical and pacy set of lessons that should enlighten the greenhorns and serve as a wakeup call to old salts who may be coasting by rather than examining their work with a more critical eye.
Morrell's point of view is interesting - he benefits from being a successful author who held down a day job long into his career, who can't sell a million copies on name alone like Stephen King, who has had to fight editorial battles and has failed to get various adaptations and screenplays filmed. He opens a candid door on the life of the professional writer and is rarely less than sensible. If you have a rosy-coloured vision of becoming an international success, sipping cocktails at ritzy book launches and owning expensive houses off the back of your first best-seller, this strips away all the nonsense and sugar-coating
There are some things that I disagree with - his assumption that first-person narration means that a book is either a written account or a dramatic monologue being one - but there are far too many practical and pragmatic lessons about the nuts and bolts of writing, publishing, royalties, contracts, getting optioned, working with editors and marketing books for me to voice any significant complaints. If you have any friends who are interested in writing, give them a copy of this.

[Cheryl Muir | Dating Expert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading The Successful Novelist! David Morrell is absolutely brilliant and explains everything so clearly. He writes about the industry in such an engaging way and peppers the chapters with personal anecdotes from his writing career spanning four decades. I particularly loved the chapter on 'Rambo and the Movies.' Fascinating! I've also sharpened the dialogue in my own novels thanks to David's tips.

The only reason I didn't give a 5* review is because some of the promotional tips are a bit outdated now, given the book was published over a decade ago. Still, technology and social media change constantly so it's tough to have these tips stay fresh in print for long. There are still some great promotional points to think about.

I love David's perspective on writing. Although he's academically-inclined, he's so inclusive and he's absolutely against literary snobbery (something we agree on!).

In David's words:
"There are no bad forms of fiction. Only bad purveyors of it."

[Brennan LaFaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this phenomenal addition to the genre of on writing books, I only knew David Morrell as the creator of Rambo. However, this book came highly recommended from a writer I respect greatly, so I had to give it a try, and I'm so happy I did.
The Successful Novelist is a nuts and bolts book that covers a little bit of everything. There are sixteen chapters, easily digestible a day at a time, that cover everything from beating writer's block, to crafting characters, writing authentic dialogue, all the way to self-marketing and understanding movie rights. Each chapter is replete with lessons I have already begun to incorporate into my writing.
This book is a must-have for everyone from aspiring writers to seasoned veterans.

[T.J. Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a danger in reading prescriptive advice, especially if you're the impressionable sort, or if you're still trying to find your voice as a writer. That caveat aside, there's a lot to glean out of this book. I was especially fond of the chapters on description, point of view and characterization.

Mr. Morrell doesn't necessarily write books that I would have otherwise read, however, reading this may have inspired me to pick up one of his thrillers - if only to see how well he follows his own advice.

[Robert Craven · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is much to commend in this book for the beginner, the established and the expert author. Morrell draws upon his influences and inspiration to gather a series of lessons that both offer insight and present challenges.

I would recommend if you are an Irish / or UK writer skip the publishing & marketing chapters as in this era of social media / AI and podcast, these ideas now seem redundant.

That aside as good as Stephen King's 'On Writing' with plenty of honest advice.

One I will be definitely dipping into again and again.

[Erik Prime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information for new writers and experienced wordsmiths alike. Among other gems, this how-to book has the best explanation of when to use third person limited (usually), third person omniscient (sometimes) and first person (almost never!). Most prospective authors can safely skip the lengthy chapter on how to negotiate contracts for overseas movie rights and sequels, unless you happen to have a Rambo in your back pocket.

[TheBoredTrucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every person who has ever sat down and read a book that truly captivated us has had the thought that they too want to write and amazing story. Now, thanks to the guy who gave us Rambo, we have a detailed road map to making that a reality.
Yes you read that right. Yes I know how it sounds. “Rambo?” you say with slight disdain “The Sylvester Stallone movie? That’s the guy who’s going to teach me to write?”

Read the rest of my review on my blog www.theboredtrucker.com

[Allen Huntsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most useful books on the craft of writing. I love how much Morrell covers in this book. It discusses all the key elements of crafting fiction, from plot, character development, dialogue, description, and research. He also provides some excellent advice on the business side of the writing life, from getting published to dealing with difficulties in marketing your work. I highly recommend this book the aspiring writer. It's as good if not better than a creative writing course.

[P.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of practice advice on writing and traditional publishing, with just enough autobiographical detail to give it weight. This was written before self publishing and before everything went online, so you’ll occasionally see stuff like an honest debate about whether writers should use computers, or phrases like “website on the Internet,” but the advice on the craft of writing is especially timeless.

[malrubius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covers pretty much everything from why write to how to do it from the humble perspective of a successful novelist and with compassion for writers who are just trying to get started. Lots of personal experience from an established novelist. Highly recommended for writers who are trying to figure out what this novel-writing thing is all about.

[Betsy Ashton · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever wanted to write a novel, but don't know how, this is a great book to read and own. If you have written multiple novels, this is a great book to read and own. Plenty of lessons on craft (plotting, creating memorable characters, writing dialogue that sings), additional thoughts on marketing, agents, and publishing.