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Eat the Elephant: How to Write (and Finish!) Your Novel One Bite at a Time
There are a lot of books on individual aspects of writing, but how do you translate that to your own work? How do you know if you are applying it correctly? Creating a novel is a huge undertaking. How do you juggle the forest and the trees?
After having shared this method with many writers at every level of writing skills over my fifteen years as an editor and an author, what I’ve discovered is that the Novel Blueprint method covered in Eat the Elephant addresses these common problems.
Each time I write a book it feels like I’m starting from scratch. How do I write a book without reinventing the wheel each time?
There are so many pieces to juggle. Where do I even begin?
I can’t finish a book. I get partway through and then I get stuck.
How do I write faster and better?
There’s a lot to remember about writing a book. How do I make sure I hit all the important things?
How do I write a book that readers rave about and tell their friends to buy?
The Novel Blueprint method gives you all the major components you need to construct your novel while still allowing for the element of surprise and the joy of creativity. It helps you write faster because you won’t have to be rewriting and deleting. When you sit down to write, you’ll know what you’re going to write.
It will help you write a better book, rich with characters that are believable and story arcs that are compelling. And it gives you a method you can use on book after book so you know exactly what you need to do each time you sit down to write.
After having shared this method with many writers at every level of writing skills over my fifteen years as an editor and an author, what I’ve discovered is that the Novel Blueprint method covered in Eat the Elephant addresses these common problems.
Each time I write a book it feels like I’m starting from scratch. How do I write a book without reinventing the wheel each time?
There are so many pieces to juggle. Where do I even begin?
I can’t finish a book. I get partway through and then I get stuck.
How do I write faster and better?
There’s a lot to remember about writing a book. How do I make sure I hit all the important things?
How do I write a book that readers rave about and tell their friends to buy?
The Novel Blueprint method gives you all the major components you need to construct your novel while still allowing for the element of surprise and the joy of creativity. It helps you write faster because you won’t have to be rewriting and deleting. When you sit down to write, you’ll know what you’re going to write.
It will help you write a better book, rich with characters that are believable and story arcs that are compelling. And it gives you a method you can use on book after book so you know exactly what you need to do each time you sit down to write.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2019
89 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 8, 2020
I read book this as part of the "Friends Who Read" reading challenge: JUNE - Personal development/Self-help
I received a free copy of this book from Paper Raven Books in exchange for an honest review!
I definitely enjoyed this book. I highlighted A LOT and will be referring back to it for sure. I picked up so many helpful tips. While sometimes it did feel too clinical, like by following these steps your story couldn’t flow, I think there’s a lot of information of value here. I don’t think the “blueprint” will work for every story but I’m definitely going to be using a lot of the recommendations. A great resource and I’m glad I read it.
I received a free copy of this book from Paper Raven Books in exchange for an honest review!
I definitely enjoyed this book. I highlighted A LOT and will be referring back to it for sure. I picked up so many helpful tips. While sometimes it did feel too clinical, like by following these steps your story couldn’t flow, I think there’s a lot of information of value here. I don’t think the “blueprint” will work for every story but I’m definitely going to be using a lot of the recommendations. A great resource and I’m glad I read it.
May 12, 2023
I strongly recommend this book for every writer, whether you're just learning to write or you have written many books. Eat the Elephant really does show you how to write your book "one bite at a time" with lots of examples and exercises to help you learn as you go. The author also presents the brain science of storytelling, in bite-sized pieces, in laymen's terms, which helps to identify the "why" behind the methods described. I found this book to be extremely educational, and it has given me the confidence I need to tackle writing that book I've been trying to get started.
September 17, 2021
Eat the Elephant is a great resource for a writer looking to decode the complex system of writing a novel. Jen Crosswhite truly takes the often daunting task of writing a book and breaks it into bite-size pieces.
Crosswhite uses examples from her own work that are clear to understand. A must-read for anyone starting their journey as an author.
Crosswhite uses examples from her own work that are clear to understand. A must-read for anyone starting their journey as an author.
May 28, 2020
Helpful book. I'd recommend reading it by what you need (i.e. flipping through to each chapter to see what Crosswhite has to say about various aspects of writing), which I found more helpful than reading it cover to cover. I picked up some useful tips about characterization and plot - action, reaction, decision. 4 stars. Good KU read.
April 29, 2023
Eat the Elephant: How to Write (and Finish!) Your Book One Bite at a Time by author Jen Cross White is a must read for writers and aspiring ones. Divided into topics this is an extraordinarily helpful tool for authors. I gleaned so much knowledge from this book. There were things that I wasn’t aware I did not know until I read this book. It provided so much assistance.
The author’s style of writing is plain and easy to understand. Examples are included to make it even easier. I was able to assess what I was doing wrong and find solutions. If you are writing or want to write a book, do yourself a favor and get this book. I highly recommend it and rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided, but these are my honest words.
The author’s style of writing is plain and easy to understand. Examples are included to make it even easier. I was able to assess what I was doing wrong and find solutions. If you are writing or want to write a book, do yourself a favor and get this book. I highly recommend it and rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided, but these are my honest words.
December 19, 2020
Read This Before You Write, or After You Start Writing, Just Read It Before You Finish
Jen Crosswhite is simply AMAZING! She simultaneously eased my fears of putting out bad literature, while constantly encouraging me to write my story. The book's tone made me feel that she personally wanted me to succeed. Best of all, her tips were delivered in ordinary language that I have been able to apply. Whether you are writing, or contemplating starting the process, this book will help you proceed with more knowledge and confidence!
Jen Crosswhite is simply AMAZING! She simultaneously eased my fears of putting out bad literature, while constantly encouraging me to write my story. The book's tone made me feel that she personally wanted me to succeed. Best of all, her tips were delivered in ordinary language that I have been able to apply. Whether you are writing, or contemplating starting the process, this book will help you proceed with more knowledge and confidence!
November 20, 2019
I confess I did not read the entire book before writing this review. Even if I never finish it, I have already gotten more out of it than any other writer’s book I have read. I am one of those authors who can never finish a book and I think the advice in here will be what I need to do so. I have never been an outline person because of how long they take and with the Novel Blueprint I know it doesn’t have to be a big deal. Thank you for writing this book.
January 1, 2020
This is a great book that spends a lot of time on how to do scenes. It is one of my weaknesses and the book has helped a lot. I also enjoyed chapter 14, the resources for further reading. It's great to have these resources for writers all in one place. I highly recommend Eat the Elephant if you are trying to write a novel or book and have never started. This gives you all of the tools you need to succeed and complete your manuscript.
August 27, 2023
Eat the Elephant: How to Write (and Finish!) Your Book One Bite at a Time by Jen Crosswhite is an ingenious book for anyone who is trying to write a novel. I have bookmarked my copy by at least a third. Whether you are having trouble with Conflict, Motivation or POV, this book will be a help and clarify, or should I say, simplify the process for you. Get a copy and have peek. You won’t regret it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book by the author. The opinions expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book by the author. The opinions expressed are my own.
December 26, 2019
Unfortunately disappointing
Some interesting stuff but was very long winded. Was expecting more from it but was sadly let down. Didn't find much use from it.
Some interesting stuff but was very long winded. Was expecting more from it but was sadly let down. Didn't find much use from it.
November 1, 2023
A great book on the craft of novel writing. This book is more of a personal narrative than a textbook. I recommend it to beginners and seasoned writers alike.
May 11, 2025
Jennifer is a great author and teacher. As a new creative author, I learned a lot from this book and her.
November 18, 2019
If you feel you have a novel inside of you and you don't know how to get it out, this is the book for you. Crosswhite, an author and editor, helps you with all of the elements of a novel, how to develop them, and even gives examples.
I like her suggestions for writing. She calls it blueprinting. It gives you the major components of a novel yet allows for individual creativity as you write. She includes a site where you can download a 5 page PDF of The Novel Blueprint so you can use it again and again. I did download it and am impressed with the amount of writing ideas it contains.
I like how Crosswhite freely uses and suggests the material from other writing mentors. She makes good use of The Snowflake Method and gives the appropriate sites to use Ingermanson's information. She also recommends books on the craft and includes an excellent resource list.
As you read through the book, you'll learn how to plot, how to develop characters, how to write scenes, how to do research, determining point of view, how to prewrite for scene structure, and much, much more. Crosswhite gives you opportunity to practice your craft with an “Apply It” section at the end of each instruction.
This book is a great resource for budding novelists and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author. My comments are an independent and honest review.
I like her suggestions for writing. She calls it blueprinting. It gives you the major components of a novel yet allows for individual creativity as you write. She includes a site where you can download a 5 page PDF of The Novel Blueprint so you can use it again and again. I did download it and am impressed with the amount of writing ideas it contains.
I like how Crosswhite freely uses and suggests the material from other writing mentors. She makes good use of The Snowflake Method and gives the appropriate sites to use Ingermanson's information. She also recommends books on the craft and includes an excellent resource list.
As you read through the book, you'll learn how to plot, how to develop characters, how to write scenes, how to do research, determining point of view, how to prewrite for scene structure, and much, much more. Crosswhite gives you opportunity to practice your craft with an “Apply It” section at the end of each instruction.
This book is a great resource for budding novelists and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author. My comments are an independent and honest review.
February 26, 2020
Eat the Elephant: How to Write (and Finish!) Your Book One Bite at a Time, by Jen Crosswhite, is a concise, yet thorough overview of how to compose a detailed story outline that helps a writer think through and include all the critical components of a well written novel, such as structure, backstory, character development, conflict, action/reaction, dialogue, point of view, and more. While leaving plenty of room for artistic creativity, Ms. Crosswhite shows how this outline can be used effectively to help facilitate the writing process as it guides the drafting of a novel from beginning to end.
As an aspiring writer and avid reader, I certainly learned much from reading Eat the Elephant. I found the content of this book to be thoughtful, practical, and very applicable. The instruction, advice, strategies, tips, and wisdom that it offers are definitely valuable and insightful. I appreciate the examples and explanations Ms. Crosswhite provides, as well as the opportunities and the encouragement to apply the content and skills into my own writing. I am confident this book will be an important resource to me as I continue to learn more about the craft of writing.
I eagerly recommend Eat the Elephant to all readers and writers who seek to improve their writing skills and their knowledge of the writing craft.
As an aspiring writer and avid reader, I certainly learned much from reading Eat the Elephant. I found the content of this book to be thoughtful, practical, and very applicable. The instruction, advice, strategies, tips, and wisdom that it offers are definitely valuable and insightful. I appreciate the examples and explanations Ms. Crosswhite provides, as well as the opportunities and the encouragement to apply the content and skills into my own writing. I am confident this book will be an important resource to me as I continue to learn more about the craft of writing.
I eagerly recommend Eat the Elephant to all readers and writers who seek to improve their writing skills and their knowledge of the writing craft.
April 3, 2022
This book has become my Author's Bible on every level. When I am discouraged, I go back to the "Why" which brings me back into focus to continue my Author's journey. I have been actively integrating a "backstory" for my characters as a Children's Fiction Writer and found that my story has more clarity for the reader and helps them along as the story unfolds. Jen Crosswhite's recommendation to "Get Professional Help" in her "note before starting" has set the course for my writing. Therefore, I must thank my editors as well as they have provided an invaluable service to me throughout my stories. Eat the Elephant is a "must-read" and there is so much more to discover through The Novel Blueprint Method, creating compelling characters, and developing your chapters so the reader can identify emotionally with the hero. It is an absolutely infinite place to find growth as a writer with the guidance of this amazing book. I am working on my third book and plan to keep my copy of Eat the Elephant close at hand!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews