In The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 2nd Edition, you'll learn from the invaluable advice of established writers. Discover new ways to generate ideas, implement intriguing techniques, and find the inspiration you need to finish your work. This fully-revised edition includes a revamped marketing section that covers the unique challenges of today's publishing market and the boundless opportunities of online promotion.
Inside you'll find expert advice from dozens of bestselling authors and publishing professionals on how to:
You'll also find interviews with some of the world's finest writers, including Margaret Atwood, Tom Clancy, Brock Clarke, Cory Doctorow, Dave Eggers, Elizabeth George, Jerry Jenkins, Stephen King, Megan McCafferty, Audrey Niffenegger, Joyce Carol Oates, Chuck Palahniuk, James Patterson, Richard Russo, Anne Tyler, John Updike, and Kurt Vonnegut. Their words will provide you with the guidance and encouragement of your very own writing mentor.
The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing is your one-stop resource for everything you need to know about the craft and business of creating a bestseller.
| Introduction | 1 | |
| Pt. I | The Craft | |
| 1 | The Philosophy of Plot | 4 |
| 2 | The Plot Thickens | 13 |
| 3 | What I Stole From the Movies | 22 |
| 4 | The Fifty-Page Dash | 32 |
| 5 | Find Your Novel's Missing Links | 40 |
| 6 | Don't Just Conclude the Plot ... Nail the Landing | 52 |
| 7 | Who's Afraid of Point of View? | 66 |
| 8 | Creating Four-Dimensional Characters | 80 |
| 9 | Seven Tools for Talk | 91 |
| Pt. II | The Art | |
| 10 | Mastering Fiction's First Rule | 101 |
| 11 | What Your Story Says | 114 |
| 12 | Killer-Diller Details Bring Fiction to Life | 121 |
| 13 | Sense and Sensuality | 130 |
| 14 | Why True-Life Stories Often Don't Make Good Fiction | 139 |
| 15 | Fiction's Connecting Link: Emotion | 149 |
| 16 | Location, Location, Location: Depicting Character Through Place | 160 |
| 17 | The More and Less of Writing Humorous Fiction | 177 |
| Pt. III | The Process | |
| 18 | How to Start | 184 |
| 19 | The Use of the Journal in Writing a Novel | 193 |
| 20 | Pump Up Your Creativity | 204 |
| 21 | Breaking Through Writer's Block | 209 |
| 22 | "Murder Your Darlings" | 215 |
| 23 | A Four-Step Plan for Revision | 220 |
| 24 | Twenty-One Tweaks to a Better Tale | 228 |
| 25 | What to Do About Criticism | 235 |
| Pt. IV | The Genres | |
| 26 | Literary or Commercial? | 249 |
| 27 | Writing the World of Fantasy | 255 |
| 28 | Once Upon a Character | 259 |
| 29 | Innovation in Horror | 270 |
| 30 | The Who in Whodunits | 279 |
| 31 | Writing Suspense That'll "Kill" Your Readers | 286 |
| 32 | Keeping Them in Suspense | 293 |
| 33 | Inside Christian Fiction | 303 |
| 34 | The Basics of Romance | 310 |
| Pt. V | The Marketplace | |
| 35 | The Search Begins: Finding Agents and Editors | 326 |
| 36 | To Fee or Not to Fee | 338 |
| 37 | "Study the Market!" | 345 |
| 38 | Commanding Book Proposals: The Rejection Slip's Greatest Enemy | 351 |
| 39 | Producing a Knockout Novel Synopsis | 358 |
| 40 | Marketing Your Novel: The Ten Commandments | 366 |
| 41 | Understanding the Digital Revolution in Five Easy Steps | 376 |
| Pt. VI | The Interviews | |
| 42 | Margaret Atwood: "As a Writer, You Must Do What Beckons to You" | 383 |
| 43 | Seven Questions with Maeve Binchy | 388 |
| 44 | A Conversation With Tom Clancy | 391 |
| 45 | Interview With Elizabeth George | 394 |
| 46 | Eight Questions With David Guterson | 398 |
| 47 | Gish Jen: "You Never Get Bored" | 402 |
| 48 | Jerry B. Jenkins: Left Behind Series | 409 |
| 49 | A Conversation With Tony Hillerman | 413 |
| 50 | Terry McMillan: "Everything I Write Is About Empowerment" | 416 |
| 51 | Find Identity With Joyce Carol Oates | 424 |
| 52 | Finding Creativity With James Patterson | 428 |
| 53 | A Journey With Anne Rivers Siddons | 431 |
| 54 | Updike: Still More to Say | 434 |
| 55 | "Whatever Works, Works": Kurt Vonnegut on Flouting the Rules of Fiction | 439 |
This book is informative and helpful.I bought this book to help me with my writing structure and guidance in different fields of writing.I was uncertain about where to start with my writing even though I have some unfinished manuscripts that I want to be published.Well, this book gave me some ideas on how to start writing a book,and also for me to look over my manuscripts and what needs to be done.THE COMPLETE HANDBOOK OF NOVEL WRITING covers all avenues that get you started or help you on your way.
Here's a brief detail of what's in the book:
The Craft=The philosophy of plot
The Art=Mastering Fiction
The Process=How to start
And some more helpful info....
Another reason why I bought this book is that you can go back to it if your unsure of something.It's easy to comprehend,and they definitely give different examples on writing.But,they just don't only cover the writing aspect they do delve into the marketing,interviews and more.I was sold!
Also not to mention,you will be reading some helpful advice from some of your favorite authors.
THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ!!! you'll see......
Anonymous
Posted October 16, 2005
I teach various literary arts courses at the college and high school level and I am constantly seeking resources for these students (and for myself as both teacher and writer.) This book is laid out beautifully--it addresses all of the basics, but adds new twists that make the reading interesting to the student or teacher of creative writing. I have been delighted with each lesson I have created from this resource.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 7, 2005
Im a young writer in my teens, and i've been writing storys since a little boy. Well i'm writing a book now, and i was looking for a book that would teach me some tips on how to sharpen my story, and this book really helped. It help understand what readers want to hear and don't hear, and how to show them, by not telling them. Anyone who is as determined to be a writer should get this
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 8, 2004
I am an aspiring writer, working on my first novel. I have a very clear concept of what I want to write about and how, but I want to make sure that I'm not violating any 'rules' of fiction writing or of my genre. I needed a basic reference that would give me practical information without overwhelming or intimidating. This is perfect! I even found a chapter on the Christian market, which is my target. I got the information I needed for about $500 cheaper than the local writer's conference I would like to attend, but can't afford right now. I highly recommend this book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
Get advice from the best in the business on every part of the novel writing and publishing process!
In The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 2nd Edition, you'll learn from the invaluable advice of established writers. Discover new ways to generate ideas, implement intriguing techniques, and find the inspiration you need to finish your work. This fully-revised edition includes a revamped marketing section that covers the unique challenges ...