Before You Write Your Novel

by James McCreet

Previously available as "Before You Write a Word", Before You Write Your Novel sets out the essential techniques and approaches that lay the perfect foundation for writing your first novel. This concise and readable guide addresses the major stumbling blocks of fiction writing: the importance of planning and structure. This book covers the essential components of novel writing including narrative, story, plot, pace, chronology, character arc and engagement techniques, as well as research, story building, plotting and editing. Using an open and honest approach, feeding from his own experience as a published novelist and creative writing teacher, James McCreet offers a guide to the structural mechanisms of the novel, helping you plan a first draft through to a finished novel.

Genres: Writing

214 pages, Paperback

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.