Do you want to write a novel - or ideally several - but you’re in overwhelm, not knowing how to start? Or are you struggling to finish your first or second book? Perhaps you’d love to become a full-time author.
Successful novelists not only write great books, but they enjoy the process and publish at a rapid pace. How do they do that?
Simple. Bestselling psychological thriller author, Miranda Rijks, and international book coach, Emily Tamayo Maher, have developed an easy-to-follow blueprint that will help you write and finish page-turning novels…your first step to writing bestsellers.
Want to know how Miranda consistently writes 4 novels a year and sells hundreds of thousands of books?
The secret to a thriving author career isn’t just writing great books—it’s writing them efficiently. Start writing smarter, not harder, and see the results for yourself.
The Rapid NovelBlueprint is a practical guide that walks you through every step of the process.
You’ll Successful Authors Write Bestselling Books QuicklyWhy Compelling Plots Are Easier and Faster To WriteWhy Understanding Genres Really MattersHow To Write A Professional Beat Sheet With Specific InstructionsCoaching Tips To Move You Forward Whenever You’re StuckThe Keys To Making Sure Your Books Will Sell. Whether you're juggling a day job, family, or other commitments, The Rapid Novel Blueprint shows you how to make the most of your writing time. You might be just starting out or perhaps you’re a seasoned author. Either way, this book is packed with practical advice that will transform your writing routine. It's not just another writing guide—it’s a blueprint for success.
Miranda Rijks is the bestselling author of 29 psychological thrillers, with over one MILLION copies sold. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband and black Labrador.
Her fast-paced, twisty thrillers are inspired by scary things that have happened to her or places she has visited.
Miranda turned to writing after recovering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She's so grateful that she's now a full-time author and living the dream!
Visit www.mirandarijks.com to get her FREE novella, The Cheat, and the chance to name characters in her books.
This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy of the book.
Having taught writing and literature for twenty years, I wasn’t sure how much I would gain from reading The Rapid Novel Blueprint: How to Write Bestselling Books Fast by Miranda Rijks and Emily Tamayo Maher. In short, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only is the book an enjoyable, quick read but it’s chock full of practical information for anyone contemplating the idea of becoming a full-time writer. Rijks and Tamayo Maher define their audience as writers specifically interested in publishing genre fiction, which Rijks explains in the foreword as “easy-to-read, page-turning novels that sit easily in one of the many genres of romance, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy or young adult.” While the longest chapter does indeed cater to the specifics of being able to churn out these novels, I think The Rapid Novel Blueprint may be helpful to any beginning writer.
Both authors started in other careers before transitioning to full-time writing, which makes their honest and frank perspectives refreshing. They tell it like it is. In Chapter 3, Rijks flat out says, “. . . if you don’t enjoy the process of writing, you need to stop right now. Pass this book onto someone else and find another creative pursuit that makes you feel great.” I admire that kind of tough love. Still, the book takes readers from having realistic expectations and knowing your “why” to things like setting yourself up for success and overcoming writer’s block. For example, in Chapter 3, Rijks explains why genres matter and how not following genre expectations can make your work difficult to find a publisher. In Chapter 4, Tamayo Maher continues the topic of genre conventions and discusses the importance of understanding your target audience. She writes, “Don’t imagine yourself alone on a stage, pouring out words to the faceless masses. When you try to speak to everyone, you end up speaking to no one.” In Chapter 10, which includes several tips on overcoming stumbling blocks, Tamayo Maher explains, “Too much pressure is the enemy of creativity. It kills the pleasure in the process and causes burnout.” The book is full of valuable lessons like these for new writers but that may be great reminders for seasoned writers as well.
The only issues I had were with some of the organization of topics and the lack of chapter titles. However, most of the chapters are fairly short, so I don’t think it will be an issue to go back and review information when needed. (These things may have changed in the published book.) I also would have appreciated a sample chapter, or portion, to go along with the wonderfully detailed beat sheet provided in Chapter 8 as this would have illustrated how the bullets get fleshed out with detail, dialogue, and description.
Overall, in addition to all the tips, strategies, and nuggets of wisdom, the book has an abundance of questions that can help readers think through the processes and prepare to write. The authors also provide a website with additional downloads and resources. Honestly, between the book and free resources, I think any writer could find many useful tools and techniques. I’m hoping Rijks and Tamayo Maher will team up again to write the next book in the series—all about publishing and marketing. I know I would read it!
I think the free resources were what made this book work, because without them, this book can be boiled down to 3 points:
Research your genre and use a formula to make sure your idea is marketable Plan your book from the beginning Form a writing and take breaks
It doesn’t take into account all the other aspects of being a fulltime writer with other commitments, like admin, marketing, etc. and it also doesn’t give a mapped out example schedule of how many days/hours you’d spend writing to meet the 90 days.
Again, this is why you’d need the free resources, I guess, in order to make use of this book.
This is a comprehensive guidebook for writing a novel. I'm a fantasy writer, but the advice holds true across genres. it's a bargain if you're not a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, and a steal if you are!
I am grateful I was able to read this. I am working on my first novel, and this book helped me immensely. It taught me how to outline, create characters, and lots more.