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The Marshall Plan Workbook : Writing Your Novel from Start to Finish
The Marshall Plan Workbook, companion volume to the very successful Marshall Plan for Novel Writing, focuses on building a novel's plot, with more than 100 pages of fill-in sheets that become a veritable blueprint for each reader's novel. The Marshall Plan Workbook pushes deeper into the process of writing a novel scene by scene. Readers will learn to craft intriguing story goals and compelling conflicts all within a specific framework that enables them to produce any type of novel in a systematic yet creative way. They'll also learn the ins-and-outs of selling their work once it's finished. * Lively, interactive approach makes the book fun as well as educational
* Easy-to-follow instruction takes the mystery--but not the creativity--out of writing a novel
* Easy-to-follow instruction takes the mystery--but not the creativity--out of writing a novel
- GenresWritingNonfiction
250 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2001
About the author
Evan Marshall
30 books44 followersEvan Marshall is president of The Evan Marshall Agency and author of The Marshall Plan For Novel Writing (Writer’s Digest, 1998), an international bestseller on novel writing now in its 20th anniversary edition. He is the author of 10 commercially published mysteries, Manhattan Mysteries Series and Jane & Winky Series which was named “Miss Marple Lite” by Kirkus Reviews. His books appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich, Lilian Jackson Braun, Agatha Christie and Alexander McCall Smith. You can reach him at evan@evanmarshallagency.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 2, 2007
I read this workbook a year ago but continue to refer to it as I work on writing women's fiction.
If it is absolutely great for beginners but I think it is also handy to have even if you have a few manuscripts under your belt.
For the beginner it will take you from your idea to a finished piece of work. What I like is that sometimes an idea might sound like a great one and then we stare at the page after maybe the first 10 pages and it doesn't go anywhere. This workbook can help you see if and where your great idea might go.
Some more experienced writers might find it too structured. Sometimes writers like to fly by the seat of their pants and see where the idea and story will go.
For myself, I received this workbook after I had already started a new manuscript. And I am not a pantster by any means when I write, but it was great to be able to focus on the areas I felt my book needed work or for areas I just felt stuck.
The first part of the book goes into building your plot and characters. But what I enjoyed was the rest of the book that had fill-in-the-blank worksheets that forces you to answer questions and go deeper into your story and characters.
The only thing I recommend is making copies of the workbook pages so that you can reuse the process for those future manuscripts.
You may find once you've gone thru it once though that in the future you may only need to refer to certain areas that might not be your strength which is okay and still helps in the writing process.
If it is absolutely great for beginners but I think it is also handy to have even if you have a few manuscripts under your belt.
For the beginner it will take you from your idea to a finished piece of work. What I like is that sometimes an idea might sound like a great one and then we stare at the page after maybe the first 10 pages and it doesn't go anywhere. This workbook can help you see if and where your great idea might go.
Some more experienced writers might find it too structured. Sometimes writers like to fly by the seat of their pants and see where the idea and story will go.
For myself, I received this workbook after I had already started a new manuscript. And I am not a pantster by any means when I write, but it was great to be able to focus on the areas I felt my book needed work or for areas I just felt stuck.
The first part of the book goes into building your plot and characters. But what I enjoyed was the rest of the book that had fill-in-the-blank worksheets that forces you to answer questions and go deeper into your story and characters.
The only thing I recommend is making copies of the workbook pages so that you can reuse the process for those future manuscripts.
You may find once you've gone thru it once though that in the future you may only need to refer to certain areas that might not be your strength which is okay and still helps in the writing process.
December 29, 2018
It's a great idea, but somewhat incomplete.
August 9, 2016
I loved it the first time I used it. I would recommend it to any writer starting out. It's a wonderful way to organize all those story ideas and get them exactly where you want and need your plot to go, keeping you focused so you can meet your novel writing goal. Better yet, Evan Marshall is very personal able. His explanations are easy to follow as though he were sitting right next to you, ready to help you like any supportive friend would. For those writers who need and want organization and clarity, this fill in the blanks, blocks, and squares is just what the creative doctor prescribed!
June 22, 2010
The Marshall Plan is extremely rigid, so if you already have an idea for your novel when you pick it up, and if it doesn't conform to the plan, you might be disappointed.
Nevertheless, it taught me quite a bit about drafting an outline, which was such a weak spot before for me as to be nonexistent.
Nevertheless, it taught me quite a bit about drafting an outline, which was such a weak spot before for me as to be nonexistent.
Want to Read
June 10, 2014One of several books recommended on "75 Books Every Writer Should Read" on (http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blo...).
May 11, 2016
Great book for plotting your novel - in sections (not scenes).
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews