You Can Write a Novel

by James V. Smith Jr.

"I have a great idea for a novel, but I'm just not sure how to start..." Sound familiar? The dream of virtually every hopeful fiction writer is to take that idea and turn it into a salable novel. In You Can Write a Novel , veteran author James Smith breaks down this complex process into simple, logical steps. His approach will guide you in a practical sequence designed to keep you focused, organized and moving forward while skillfully addressing the essentials, such as plot, character, setting, dialogue and action. Smith also shows how to generate a salable idea, develop that idea into a framework, and build that framework into a finished manuscript. What's more, he sets You Can Write a Novel apart from other how-to-write books by providing these unique The Writer's Tool an indispensable invention for even the most seasoned writer. Using index cards, a file folder, a pocket folder, a legal pad and some tape, you will create a management system for building and keeping track of characters, constructing a main story line, adding subplots, revising on the fly and more! Lifesaving Rules for the a variety of short technique advisories designed to keep you from wasting time or making fatal errors. These

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Education

138 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1997

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Author photo is a pencil illustration "Gotcha!" by Marie Antoinette Kelly of Montana, portraitsofthesoul.com

James V. Smith, Jr., is breaking out of the military action-adventure publishing world with his latest novel, Curse of the Kavorka , a Substack rom-com about a Guy who starts up a business wrecking romances that brings him into conflict with organized crime. https://jvsmith.substack.com — Curse of the Kavorka

He writes a nonfiction Substack, The Persuasive Writer about how to hack the minds and charm the hearts of readers using the persuasive secrets of masters in sales and marketing. Principles for both fiction and nonfiction writers.

He has published more than a dozen military action-adventure novels, including the six-book series Force Recon. He wrote the Delta Force series under the pen name John Harriman.

In nonfiction, he's written several how-to books from Writers Digest press, including: You Can Write a Novel , The Writer's Little Helper , and The Fiction Writer's Brainstormer .

He’s a former combat soldier, helicopter pilot, newspaper writer and editor, national award-winning columnist, and magazine editor.

Reviews

[da AL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essentials that go right to the heart of how to put together a good book. Sweat & tears not included...

[Alien Citizen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book for people like me who want a very precise system for writing. There are an abundance of charts(pacing over span of master story), checklists("You might be an amateur if..."), etc. from which to build an outline for your novel. I really enjoyed playing around with the scene cards until I got plotting software and that was the end of that (since you can do the same thing and make revisions more easily with the software). But that didn't negate the utility of the book in general. With plenty of cardinal rules and steps to work through, this book has been a really good starter whenever I'm stuck in a rut with writing. Brainfreeze? Why not make a book "prototype" as a visual motivator for yourself. He provides templates for hashing out major and minor characters and for outlining all your scenes (master, major and minor). You don't have to go through this step-by-step like it was some sort of technical manual for operating a machine but the point is, if you need help building the framework for your novel, then you can and that makes all the difference.

[SourPatchKid99 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has some good tips, but overall, I think the information's a little outdated.
For example, when he talks about writing character backgrounds on 3x5 cards, important scenes, plot points, etc. While doing that longhand can be helpful sometimes, there are plenty of digital tools out there nowadays to help writers keep track of that information.
I also think a lot of what he says about building stories lacks a little nuance. It's good for a writer starting from scratch, but if you've taken even a basic creative writing class, a lot of this information will be too simple for you to gain much from it. That isn't to say I didn't learn anything (the information on selling your completed novel is very helpful), but it sometimes comes off as James Smith telling you that if you follow these exact steps he follows you can write a novel. In reality, each writer has their own unique writing process; trying to follow a cookie-cutter guideline can hinder the creative process. I'm also kind of surprised he goes into so much detail about sketching characters, plot points, etc. and keeping it in a folder while completely ignoring the fact that most of that can be done in a detailed outline. At points, these tips felt drawn-out unnecessarily to fill a word count (again, if you've taken a basic writing class and are comfortable outlining, this book will be practically useless).

At times, it also felt like this book is just a walking advertisement for a novel Smith was working on while writing this handbook. I understand real-world examples are important, but do you really have to remind us every time you mention your novel that it's soon to be published? This book also comes off sometimes as being unnecessarily critical of Jurassic Park. Again, I understand it's helpful to have real-world examples, but the criticisms of JP just come off as mean-spirited sometimes (like when he rants about how the Mr. DNA segment of the film is really boring. Not everyone in the audience finds that information or sequence boring, but because the author did he constantly has to remind readers what a huge plot flaw that was).

[Ris · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are worse books on writing, but there are also better.

Much of his advice is rehashed common sense, condescending (I was so bored of the word "amateur" by the midway point that I've vowed to remove it completely from my vocabulary) and uninspired.

Is it "bad" advice? Not necessarily. But your time, money, and shelf space would be better spent doing a cursory google search (key words: plot structure, writing tips, publish manuscript. This will give you about everything covered in this book and an introductory professional writing course.) and looking for articles, interviews, and books written by your favorites on writing advice. Most, if not all, have said something on the matter, because they're always asked. Your favorites are, I presume, why you want to write, and you'll learn more from people you respect, admire, and whose work you're familiar with than from anyone else.

[Scott Shjefte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trying to show I own book, will rate after I read it.

[Lisa (Harmonybites) · Rating 2 out of 5]

On GoodReads two stars means "OK" and that's what my rating means: this is OK. OK as in "meh." There's nothing here you can't find in a gazillion books on writing craft. James Smith does have a few novels published--or so the book informs us, but none I had read or even heard of. That should have warned me. An editor who wrote a blog for newbie writers once offered this rule of thumb: Pay attention to who is offering advice on writing. They should either be an author you admire or someone who has gained best-selling status or someone who is or has been a gatekeeper--an acquiring editor or agent. Word.

*Takes off bookshelf as it hasn't earned the space*

[Thomas Edmund · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can't help but notice this piece has a pretty good rating on Amazon (which according to the author is a good sign) but personally not my thing.

There was certainty some good grains of wisdom throughout this how-to but for the most part the focus was on dry processes, which while in theory will help you write a novel I can't help feeling I mostly did just help Smith JR pay his bills.

Maybe I'm just bitter that Smith isn't into Dexter, or just too in love with Slumdog Millionaire. I much more recommend the other how-to write books in my reviews.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the note pads, although I don't completely agree with his organization system, it is quite handy. I also really like his steps to writing a novel, and it has made me more organized in jotting down important details. I'm normally a very scattered writer, so having a step-by-step (in a way that actually makes sense) was great. I like the examples he gives in writing (using movies like Jurassic Park and Jaws to explain aspects of your plot and climactic scenes), and his "What not do do" parts are quite funny.

[David Hammerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compact book that offers a vast amount of information. The book will guide my future writing. It offers many powerful tools, such as an inventory of potential characters, an ease of reading index, methods to improve dialogue, techniques for adjusting a story’s pace and a guide for dealing with publishers. The book stresses the importance of achieving the reader’s participation in the story. The book is clear and fast paced. It offers sprinklings of humor as well. I found the book extraordinarily helpful. I believe other writers will as well.

[Shann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE You Can Write a Novel - I have tons of writing books on my shelf, and have probably read hundreds more, but this book is always my "go to" whenever I need a boost. James walks you through his novel building process, including a fantastic storyline model that I use in every one of my projects. In my opinion, this one is a must have for every writer that loves planning and fleshing out their novel before sitting down to write. I am a planster, and James' system works brilliantly for me.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want a formula, this book will give it to you. There are some golden nuggets inside, and some of his acronyms are helpful for plotting, but I got tired of the style and the "voice" quickly. He uses contemporary examples (which are helpful for writers RIGHT now) like "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Help", but I am not sure these will translate well for the future. There are better books out there for the craft, but worth a glance if you see it at the library.

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of helpful gristle for the aspiring novelist, but I do have one problem: He seems to insist that one have an ultra-developed set of files for the characters, plots et al before beginning writing. This will take at least three weeks. That's good and helpful, but it also means most people will ignore any good ideas until and many will get burned out working on the ultra specific filing system.

[Saira Priest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good tips on moving your novel along and taking it to the next level. I am pretty far into my novel and feel like it was helpful where I am now. Many things were affirming to let me I ow I was on the right track. Not sure that the tips would be as helpful to me at the beginning of my writing as there are different challenges to deal with in those earlier stages. Good polishing book. Some very technical aspects to it well.

[Mathis Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book easy to read, insightful and straightforward. The book helps an anspired novelist to organized their thoughts and stories, and place them on paper by doing effective, simple exercises.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my many 'i'm going to write a novel' phases.

I'm still going to.

[Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful step-by-step guide about craft.

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Those who can't write end up writing about how to write, oftentimes. This was absolutely useless to me.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although simplistic in many ways, this offers some very concrete steps to take in writing a novel. It may not make you whole story, but it is helpful in terms of structuring a workable manuscript.

[Chris Swain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book on writing for practical info.

[Heather Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic book. i learned a lot. there were some typos, which is odd in a writing manual, but all in all, i feel like i came away with some good tidbits.

[J.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book. It got me motivated to start writing again! Full of useful information.

[Tammie Painter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don't like "gimmicky" writing books and this one was quite gimmicky rather than giving solid writing advice. I give it two stars because it did have some good revision info at the end.

[Nathan Moelker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an invaluable resource in teaching how to write fiction and I learned from it immensely. Fellow beginning writers would also enjoy it.

[Sarah Yasin · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is extremely helpful with concrete advice and charts.

[ShildGen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This easy to read book explains a lot of tools and tells you the theory of writing successful a novel. Helping checklists sum up all the helpful tips and tricks. It helped me a lot!

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Si te dan buenas técnicas pero lo más importante yo creo es la autodisciplina.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immensely entertaining and filled with useful information.