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Point of View - Better Writing through Stronger Narrative: Drake's Brutal Writing Advice
Does your narrative stall your action? Have you chosen the right point of view for your novel? Well, let me help you with that. Point of View is more than just choosing between first person, second person, and third person. It’s about crafting the perfect narrative drive behind your words so readers crave more. Get ready for an in-depth look at Point of View and all it means. You’ll learn about Narrators, Level of Awareness, First, Second, and Third Person, compelling Prose, and more. Point of View covers the tricky and often misunderstood beast that is Narrative (which is so much more than just Point of View) in full detail. It's yummy writing advice served inside a warm slice of slightly-offensive pie.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2017
40 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Maxwell Alexander Drake
42 books97 followersMaxwell Alexander Drake is an award-winning Science Fiction/Fantasy author, Graphic Novelist, and Playwright. He was also the Lead Fiction Writer and game story consultant for Sony’s massive online game EverQuest Next as well as writing for the Shadowrun game. He is best known for his fantasy series, The Genesis of Oblivion Saga. Drake teaches creative writing at writers’ conferences and fan conventions all around the world and is the author of the Drake’s Brutal Writing Advice series.
He is currently developing an animated TVMA show called Fiend Folly. Find out more about this show at www.FiendFolly.com.
For more, please visit www.MaxwellAlexanderDrake.com, or his writing training website www.DrakeU.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @MaxwellADrake, Facebook /MaxwellAlexanderDrake, or Instagram /MaxwellAlexanderDrake.
He is currently developing an animated TVMA show called Fiend Folly. Find out more about this show at www.FiendFolly.com.
For more, please visit www.MaxwellAlexanderDrake.com, or his writing training website www.DrakeU.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @MaxwellADrake, Facebook /MaxwellAlexanderDrake, or Instagram /MaxwellAlexanderDrake.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 3, 2018
Perfect. Just what I needed. I'll be reading this more than once.
February 7, 2018
This book is chalk full of information on the different character narrators available to speculative fiction writers. It’s a huge topic that I certainly never thought about before picking up the book. But it’s one that truly alters how a book is written, so I’m thankful I’m finally learning the pros and cons of each narrator type and why I might want to use one vs the other. Plus, there are tons of sub topics that apply to many types of character narrators (like filtering, which was another big light bulb moment for me).
That being said, there’s a lot of information in here and it would be helpful to have worksheets that went with the book (as the last book did) or at least a reference guide in the back to find specific topics. I only realized half way through that the only way I’d be able to find the information I would probably need again would be by rereading the entire book. Next time I do, I’m definitely making my own cheat sheets (and you might want to as well right from the get go).
Read this book. Learn some information that you might never have thought about before. Become a better writer.
That being said, there’s a lot of information in here and it would be helpful to have worksheets that went with the book (as the last book did) or at least a reference guide in the back to find specific topics. I only realized half way through that the only way I’d be able to find the information I would probably need again would be by rereading the entire book. Next time I do, I’m definitely making my own cheat sheets (and you might want to as well right from the get go).
Read this book. Learn some information that you might never have thought about before. Become a better writer.
October 14, 2017
If you write speculative fiction and are ready to take your writing from good amateur to potential professional, this is the book you need.
The book is long and - I'll be honest - I took 7 or 8 pages of notes while reading it. I even had to go back and re-read sections a few times. But, this is because it is packed full of so many details about writing well through various points of view.
Drake writes the book in a conversational and humorous tone and shares lots of stories and examples to demonstrate the fine details of the narrator's level of awareness, tone, style, point of view, present tense and past tense, etc.
After reading this book, I feel ready to dive into my next project with more confidence and some additional tips on what to do and what not to.
With most writing books, I read them once, glean a few tips, and never need to touch them again. This is such an incredibly in-depth look at narrative that I think I'll be reading it before projects for years to come to make sure I've gotten my plan for my characters to just the right place.
The book is long and - I'll be honest - I took 7 or 8 pages of notes while reading it. I even had to go back and re-read sections a few times. But, this is because it is packed full of so many details about writing well through various points of view.
Drake writes the book in a conversational and humorous tone and shares lots of stories and examples to demonstrate the fine details of the narrator's level of awareness, tone, style, point of view, present tense and past tense, etc.
After reading this book, I feel ready to dive into my next project with more confidence and some additional tips on what to do and what not to.
With most writing books, I read them once, glean a few tips, and never need to touch them again. This is such an incredibly in-depth look at narrative that I think I'll be reading it before projects for years to come to make sure I've gotten my plan for my characters to just the right place.
February 10, 2025
Already Helping!
So, I finally am working on my writing skills. I've been reading a couple craft books and a couple different authors every month. Drake is particularly helpful in framing the pros and cons of each pov. The examples are clear and made it easier for me to find areas of improvement in my own projects. I'd recommend it to anyone who isn't 100% comfortable with their pov choices and is looking to enhance the readers experience.
So, I finally am working on my writing skills. I've been reading a couple craft books and a couple different authors every month. Drake is particularly helpful in framing the pros and cons of each pov. The examples are clear and made it easier for me to find areas of improvement in my own projects. I'd recommend it to anyone who isn't 100% comfortable with their pov choices and is looking to enhance the readers experience.
March 10, 2018
I liked this book better than the first book and Drake's sense of humor really cracks me up. Any book that can make me laugh is a fantastic book! There was a lot of great writing advice covered in this book. I think this book would be great for a new aspiring author and very useful for more seasoned writers. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to become a writer.
November 26, 2022
Book 3 please…
I have now read both Brutal books on Writing Advice. All I have to say is that anytime Drake puts out a book on the craft of writing, I will buy it, read it, listen to it, and keep it close for all time. These books will get a lot of use out of me. I’m so excited to write. Excuse me, I’m going to go write now. The sooner I get to my million words the better.
I have now read both Brutal books on Writing Advice. All I have to say is that anytime Drake puts out a book on the craft of writing, I will buy it, read it, listen to it, and keep it close for all time. These books will get a lot of use out of me. I’m so excited to write. Excuse me, I’m going to go write now. The sooner I get to my million words the better.
April 21, 2019
THE MAN’S AN @$#^%% BUT HE’S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!!
I LEARNED MORE FROM THIS BOOK AND FROM HIS BOOK DYNAMIC STORY CREATION THAN I DID ANYWHERE ELSE. I KNOW KNOW WHY MY STORIES SUCKED. KNOW I BELIEVE THAT I CAN FIX THEM...maybe??? Lol
I LEARNED MORE FROM THIS BOOK AND FROM HIS BOOK DYNAMIC STORY CREATION THAN I DID ANYWHERE ELSE. I KNOW KNOW WHY MY STORIES SUCKED. KNOW I BELIEVE THAT I CAN FIX THEM...maybe??? Lol
October 8, 2017
Another good book from Drake about writing which helped further expand my thoughts on writing
November 30, 2018
Great advice for novice and journeyman writers alike. Drake’s dive into detail on narrative definitely helped me overcome such issues in my own writing. 10/10, would recommend, would read again!
April 25, 2022
Engaging
I liked the down-to-earth and funny approch towards a difficult topic. Demystifies the mysteries of point of view in memorable and engagimg ways.
I liked the down-to-earth and funny approch towards a difficult topic. Demystifies the mysteries of point of view in memorable and engagimg ways.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews