What do you think?
Rate this book
Delve, Pivot, Propel: 350 Writing Secrets to Elevate Your Storytelling and Transform Your Novel
“Steven James has a knack for asking the right questions about what really drives a compelling story. Better still, he has the answers—for writers at all levels.”
—JESSICA STRAWSER, Writer’s Digest Editor-at-Large and USA Today Bestselling Author of The Last Caretaker
Unlock the secrets to powerful storytelling with DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL, the groundbreaking resource from award-winning novelist Steven James. After decades of teaching fiction writing intensives and addressing countless questions from aspiring authors, James finally distills his insights into this essential guide for novelists at every level.
Packed with practical tips, charts, and time-saving strategies, DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL tackles the tough questions that writers face, offering fresh perspectives and unorthodox advice that challenges conventional wisdom.
But the advice isn’t always what you might expect.How to write a scene even when you don’t know where it will lead or what will happen within it.The disadvantages of “character arcs” and how to overcome them.6 things—besides “hooking” readers’ attention—that your opening needs to accomplish, no matter the genre.12 ways to make a villain more formidable (and what to do if he becomes more interesting than your hero).Why conflict does not equal tension, difficulty does not equal dilemma, and structure does not equal story.5 reasons why readers keep flipping pages (and which one to always avoid!).
With DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL, you’ll find the tools you need to elevate your writing, engage your readers, and unleash your creative potential. Dive in and transform your storytelling approach—because the journey to becoming a great writer starts here.
STORYTELLING WORLD award winning author of Story Trumps Structure, Troubleshooting Your Novel, and The Art of the Tale.
—JESSICA STRAWSER, Writer’s Digest Editor-at-Large and USA Today Bestselling Author of The Last Caretaker
Unlock the secrets to powerful storytelling with DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL, the groundbreaking resource from award-winning novelist Steven James. After decades of teaching fiction writing intensives and addressing countless questions from aspiring authors, James finally distills his insights into this essential guide for novelists at every level.
Packed with practical tips, charts, and time-saving strategies, DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL tackles the tough questions that writers face, offering fresh perspectives and unorthodox advice that challenges conventional wisdom.
But the advice isn’t always what you might expect.How to write a scene even when you don’t know where it will lead or what will happen within it.The disadvantages of “character arcs” and how to overcome them.6 things—besides “hooking” readers’ attention—that your opening needs to accomplish, no matter the genre.12 ways to make a villain more formidable (and what to do if he becomes more interesting than your hero).Why conflict does not equal tension, difficulty does not equal dilemma, and structure does not equal story.5 reasons why readers keep flipping pages (and which one to always avoid!).
With DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL, you’ll find the tools you need to elevate your writing, engage your readers, and unleash your creative potential. Dive in and transform your storytelling approach—because the journey to becoming a great writer starts here.
STORYTELLING WORLD award winning author of Story Trumps Structure, Troubleshooting Your Novel, and The Art of the Tale.
326 pages, Paperback
Published December 3, 2024
14 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Steven James
135 books1,759 followersSteven James is the award-winning, critically acclaimed author of twenty novels and numerous books on the craft of novel writing, including the new release, DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL, which explores revolutionary new approaches to fiction writing. With a master's degree in storytelling, James teaches writing worldwide and has appeared on five continents telling stories and teaching storytelling at over 2000 appearances.
His latest Young Adult horror novel, RIFT, is the first in a new trilogy that takes place in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. James lives in Eastern Tennessee and loves watching sci-fi movies, playing basketball, and eating chicken fajitas—although not all at the same time.
James has been penning smart, taut thrillers that actually thrill, since 2007, when his acclaimed psychological suspense novel, THE PAWN, released.
If you love stories and storytelling, check out his podcast, The Story Blender, on which he has interviewed nearly 200 of the world's top writers and storytellers.
His latest Young Adult horror novel, RIFT, is the first in a new trilogy that takes place in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. James lives in Eastern Tennessee and loves watching sci-fi movies, playing basketball, and eating chicken fajitas—although not all at the same time.
James has been penning smart, taut thrillers that actually thrill, since 2007, when his acclaimed psychological suspense novel, THE PAWN, released.
If you love stories and storytelling, check out his podcast, The Story Blender, on which he has interviewed nearly 200 of the world's top writers and storytellers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 27, 2024
A Cornucopia of Insights for Storytelling
As an author, I’m always interested in telling better stories. I want to learn these insights from an experienced and bestselling storyteller. Steven James is a master storyteller and has written an engaging book DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL.
In the Introduction, James writes, “The writing life of yours is risk and adventure and imagination. It is living on the razor-edged trill of a dream. It’s a wild life and perilous, and you’re almost certain to fail. What will you do? You can’t give up, so you must go on. This book is written for you. This book is dedicated to you. Write on, my friend. I’ll show you how.” (Page 19)
This book is packed with 350 writing secrets. Whether you read cover to cover or skip around, every writer will profit from a study of these words. I highly recommend DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL.
W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his recent 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .
As an author, I’m always interested in telling better stories. I want to learn these insights from an experienced and bestselling storyteller. Steven James is a master storyteller and has written an engaging book DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL.
In the Introduction, James writes, “The writing life of yours is risk and adventure and imagination. It is living on the razor-edged trill of a dream. It’s a wild life and perilous, and you’re almost certain to fail. What will you do? You can’t give up, so you must go on. This book is written for you. This book is dedicated to you. Write on, my friend. I’ll show you how.” (Page 19)
This book is packed with 350 writing secrets. Whether you read cover to cover or skip around, every writer will profit from a study of these words. I highly recommend DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL.
W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his recent 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .
October 5, 2025
A good shotgun blast of thoughts on writing books. The whole thing seemed a little ADHD to me, and yet I dogeared (gasp) numerous pages for going back and reading sections again. The stuff here is great for any author. Recommend this to anyone.
I've heard Steven James speak about this in person. This is way more detailed (though not as exciting as the real thing in person).
I've heard Steven James speak about this in person. This is way more detailed (though not as exciting as the real thing in person).
January 26, 2025
No one is better at helping writers unlock the secrets of storytelling. Steven James draws on his own experience and education to give profound yet easily grasped insights which will help unpublished and highly successful authors alike.
March 30, 2025
Concise advice for fiction writers.
April 18, 2025
Incredible insight into the problems and writing issues that every writer faces.
May 26, 2025
I read a lot of writing craft books. This was one of the best. I took pages of notes that I'll put to use in my next novel.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews