Before You Write a Word. Essential skills for the first-time novelist.

by James McCreet

An essential guide for any writer planning to attempt their first novel (or fix one that’s broken).

Author and lecturer James McCreet uses his experience with MA Creative Writing novelists to address and eradicate the most common mistakes made by most first-time novelists. His approach focuses on foreseeing and solving structural problems before they arise, making the actual writing process simpler, faster and more fun.

Finally, here is a writing guide that is more than hints and tips, more than abstract generalisations, more than comparisons with other writers. It is a detailed, systematic and highly practical approach to making your writing as professional as it can be.

Genres: Writing

143 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2013

Reviews

[Ryan Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This feels like a novel-writing textbook boiled down to something you can read in a few hours. Really enjoyed learning how much structure can be utilized for something as creative as telling a story.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book (and accompanying webinar) on planning a that I've come across. There are other good ones, but this understands the messy illogicality of the process and works with it, rather than trying to take steps 1, 2 & 3 in linear fashion. So what if it adds up to 'take three months making notes then tear your hair out trying to put them in order'? Sounds like good advice to me.

[Simon Barraclough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read several guides in this genre over the years and this is definitely one of the most practical and helpful. It focuses on the pre-writing stages, which are the most crucial I think. Still, haven’t written my first novel yet …

[Derek Boulet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a book that doesn't just talk in vague generalities. The author tells you what need to do and how - even if that isn't very easy. He taught on a Master's degree so he seems to know what he's talking about.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the author explains, this is not a book about writing. He assumes you've already learned the craft. This is about preparation for your first novel 'before you write a word', or for repairing an already-written flawed one, for those of us who just dived in. Even if I had already learned some of the points he makes, it was well worth being reminded, and it's definitely a book I'll keep nearby for reference.