Write Your First Novel

by Gilbert Morris, Steve Laube

You Can Become a Successful Novelist
Foreword by Jerry B. Jenkins

This book will revolutionize the way you write and create stories! With step-by-step instructions from two publishing veterans, you'll learn the essential elements of plot, character development, dialogue, and setting. This book will give you the confidence to create stories that captivate readers and the knowledge to take your writing to the next level. 

What's Included in This  
- Strategies to write gripping stories that readers won't be able to put down
- Techniques to make your characters come alive on the page
- Tips to realistically portray settings and dialogue
- Advice on how to develop your plot and keep readers hooked

“You need to read this book if you want to be a better writer.”
— Dallas Jenkins , creator of The Chosen

“Reading this book is like sitting at the feet of two stellar teachers as they unpack the secrets to fiction writing.”
— Steven James , Christy Award Hall of Fame author, and author of Story Trumps Structure

“Practical, instructive, thorough, and useful for the new writer, old writer, and aspiring writer alike.”
— Nadine Brandes , three-time Carol Award-winning YA author

“The lessons you learn in this book will serve you the rest of your writing life.”
— James Scott Bell , Christy Award-winning author, and author of Write Your Novel from the Middle

“An amazingly valuable resource. This will now become one of my go-to resources when training writers, too!”
— Tricia Goyer , USA Today best-selling author and mentor at WriteThatBook.Club

“Laube’s additions to Morris’s classic work are full of Christian wisdom and down-to-earth advice from someone who knows the industry inside and out.”
— Kyle Mann , best-selling novelist and Editor-in-Chief, The Babylon Bee
 

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2023

About the author

also published under the name Gilbert L. Morris

Gilbert Morris was one of today's best-known Christian novelists. He lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife, Johnnie. He is the father to Lynn Morris and Alan Morris

Series:
* Adventures of Kerrigan Kids
* American Century
* Appomattox Saga
* Barney Buck
* Bonnets and Bugles
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Lynn Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Lynn Morris)
* Chronicles of the Golden Frontier
* The Creole (with Lynn Morris)
* Danielle Ross Mystery
* Daystar Voyages
* Dixie Morris Animal Adventures
* Far Fields (with Robert Funderburk)
* House of Winslow
* Jacques and Cleo: Cat Detectives
* Katy Steele Adventures (with Alan Morris)
* Lady Trent Mystery
* Liberty Bell
* Lions of Judah
* Lone Star Legacy
* Omega (with Lynn Morris and Alan Morris)
* The Price of Liberty (with Robert Funderburk)
* Reno Western Saga
* Seven Sleepers
* Seven Sleepers: The Lost Chronicles
* Singing River
* Spirit of Appalachia (with Aaron McCarver)
* Too Smart Jones
*

Reviews

[Erin Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an essential for every author’s toolbox. It is like a crash course on storytelling, covering all the bases in a very condensed and accessible way that was a great refresher! I’m working on my fifth novel now, and this book is one I will definitely be pulling out during the editing process! Highly recommend to anyone serious about a career as an author!

[Coralie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love good craft books! And I'm a firm believer that you can learn something from just about any book (whether or not it's what the book intends for you to take away from it XD).

Some craft books are dense or dry or hard to read, even if they do have nuggets of wisdom. But this one is simply brimming with great tips, engaging examples, and challenging exercises. I've highlighted something on nearly every page XD

This is an easy read, well-organized, and thorough. Though the title says to write your first novel, I'd contest that the book is just as valuable for veteran authors with many books under their belt.

With a perfect balance of practical, applicational value and inspirational encouragement to bolster the weary writer, the book blends clear teaching with examples that actually relate to the material. I see so many craft books with examples that are nebulous or intangible that don't really help the reader connect the dots. But this one uses examples that complement the material and enhance the point.

And the exercises in the book provide tangible practice exercises to get writers out of their heads. I love how they isolate each point and break down the different craft elements so that you can intentionally focus in on strengthening those areas while still allowing you to build upon previous sections and grow as a rounded writer.

This is one I'll go back to again and again. Can't more highly recommend it!

[Elisabeth Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, informative; I suspect I’ll reference the section on plotting again. The exercises were thorough and would probably be beneficial if I took time to do them all, and maybe someday I will.

Didn’t love Gilbert Morris’ chapter on physical character description mainly because his 5’8”, 135-pound, small-boned character was “a little too full figured to be a model” and had a mouth “too large for real beauty” which is my personal pet peeve. Also he dissed Grace Livingston Hill for being formulaic, which OK fair, but also pretty sure his 40-book series had some formula in there too.

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether your a first time writer or have several book under your belt, this was a treasure trove of information! Depending on your style, every nuance may not apply, but the bones and story structure are a solid foundation for any author. Highly recommend!

[Crystal Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became a Gilbert Morris fan in my teens/early adult years. I still have many books left to read in his long list of books. I was saddened to hear of his death in 2016, but what a legacy he left behind!
Steve Laube is someone I greatly respect and trust in this writing industry. His publishing company and agency represents some of the best books and authors that I know.
So I was thrilled to learn that this book was a collaboration of their experiences and knowledge.
What a great resource this is for even veteran writers. There is nothing complicated or unheard of in this easy-to-read text. The length is manageable, and the prose straightforward. It felt like I was in a writing class led by two great minds.
There was just a lot of good, solid, foundational concepts laid out in helpful format. There are sections on the most important elements of writing: characters, setting, and plot. Each section and chapter ends with writing exercises for the writer to practice their skills and improve their craft.
My favorite section was on setting and how it can not only add to the mood and theme of a book, but add layers to the characters as well.
I love when a book leaves me inspired and motivated to write better, and this book did that.
If you are a new writer, this book is for you. If you have never written a book but hope to someday, this book is for you. If you are a veteran writer who wants to tighten and improve your writing, this book is for you.

[Taylor Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so thankful to have read this book so soon after completing my first manuscript! I don't have the words to express how encouraging, motivating, practical, and inspirational this book was for me as an aspiring author. So, I will just say that I loved it.

I loved the simplistic way both Gilbert and Steve used to introduce and explain complicated topics, and I loved the splashes of humor and personality sprinkled throughout the book. But most of all, I loved the honesty that so clearly radiates from its pages. Like anyone who has attempted and succeeded in finishing a book, you'll know this process is far from easy. However, both Gilbert and Steve acknowledge the challenges of writing, but also, they highlight the rewards of writing.

This is one craft book you won't want to miss!

[Tim Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains helpful information for someone considering writing a novel. It's a worthwhile read and can serve as a back-to-basics reference for any novelist.
The two-author approach felt disjointed in places. One author, Gilbert Morris, is deceased. Chapters by Steve Laube, an industry titan with no shortage of knowledge and experience, are interwoven and reflect his perspective as a well-regarded agent. His content is relevant and useful, though not as deep a dive as his coauthor's.
In other places, the craft of writing a novel was described as formulaic. I think there are hazards to applying a formula to art. Aren't there too many cookie-cutter stories out there already? But what do I know?
Regardless, I'm keeping this one around on my bookshelf. I recommend you do the same.

[Beth Gooch · Rating 5 out of 5]

An acquaintance saw this book at my house and asked if I was thinking of writing a book. I told her I'm working on my fourth novel and this book is helping me become a better writer. "Write Your First Novel" is one of the best books I've read about fiction-writing craft, partly because it's got practical, easy-to-implement suggestions. But also because it's interesting and fun to read. Each chapter includes information about a different element of good writing, then follows with examples.

[Jessi Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful and laid out well. I love that it didn't have a lot of extra fluff, it was straight to the point and had examples. Didn't realize until 1/3 through that the authors write Christian fiction so there is some of that sprinkled in, but it's not a main focus.

[Paul Shotsberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an insightful book for first time novelists. It is an unusual collaboration that provides a complete picture of the essential components of fiction writing.

[Brooke J Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found write your first novel insightful. The exercises after each chapter was fun and helpful. I would recommend to anyone thinking about writing or in the midst of it.