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Title: You Can Write a Novel (You Can Write) by James V., Jr. Smith ISBN: 0-89879-868-X Publisher: Writers Digest Books Pub. Date: September, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.65 (17 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Easy to read and entertaining
Comment: You Can Write a Novel is the first book on the subject of writing and getting published I read.
For several years I had been piddling around with a book idea, but never actually getting anything done. I finally broke down and went to the Writing and Publishing section of the bookstore and found this book right away.
It attracted me because it was short, simple, straightforward, and entertaining as well. I am a somewhat slow reader and have limited time to do so, but I finished this book in a few days anyhow. As Mr. Smith said himself that he enjoyed writing this book, I enjoyed reading it. That fact alone has taught me a lot about writing- That the more I enjoy writing a book, perhaps the more people will enjoy reading it.
As for the content in the book, the organization of the chapters in tips and steps made it flow very nicely. Mr. Smith used a lot of familiar books and movies as examples, which helped a lot (Though Jaws and Jurassic Park are not the greatest movies in the whole wide world, as examples, they helped get several points across). I, personally, really liked his ideas to use cards for scenes and characters. It helped me to understand that writing isn't about (except for the few extremely patient and talented types) sitting down and writing a 100,000 word novel from start to finish and somehow getting it published (which is something I didn't understand at age 12 when I first attempted to write a book). It is about spending a lot of time mapping out characters and scenes before you start and making correction notes to yourself instead of breaking the flow of your writing. I recommend that anyone interested in writing give this book a chance.
Rating: 5
Summary: Endings First
Comment: I'd like to add to the many reviews of You Can Write a Novel by bringing up what I consider to be the best advice in the book--the best advice I've received in a long time. Smith advises you to write the ending first.
Instead of starting at the beginning, typing thousands of words, suddenly finding yourself lost, then, naturally, abandoning the project, you're advised to plot your novel ahead of time. Then you're to begin writing at the best part, the end.
By writing a strong climax early on, you will clearly see where your novel is going, and you will be able to foreshadow effectively. Honestly, this one professional tidbit has helped me to finish my first story in a long time (a short story, granted, but the advice crosses over).
Smith shows you how to zoom out and see your novel as a whole, to write it out of order--always tackling the parts that inspire you most, first, above all others--and to fill in the lesser scenes later.
It almost makes writing fun. (Many of us don't write for fun, but out of compulsion.)
I'm currently reading another book about novel writing that's twice as long and less than half as effective. You Can Write a Novel by James Smith is short, HELPFUL, and enjoyable. This guy wields words with humor and authority. He makes me want to write a novel, which previously I'd feared. I couldn't imagine how to tackle such a project.
He'll make you beleive that you can, too.
Rating: 5
Summary: All about PROCESS
Comment: If you actually want to get writing, this book is for you.
This book isn't a mystical cheerlead on the gift of writing, or a drawn-out analysis on the basic elements of fiction. This book is all about seat-in-the-chair/fingers-on-the-keyboard process! And not a long, drawn-out process of lengthy character biographies and overwhelming multi-page outlines. Too many books obsess over "the writing before the writing." This book is all about getting focused and then getting writing.
If you're ready to really produce something - not just dream about it - this book will help you do it.
I was skeptical till I tried it and surprised to found out how easy it was to get started! It's an excellent value - one of the most practical and useful books on novel writing that I own - and a definite keeper.
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Title: Fiction Writer's Brainstormer by James V., Jr. Smith ISBN: 0898799430 Publisher: Writers Digest Books Pub. Date: October, 2000 List Price(USD): $18.99 |
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Title: The First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile by Noah Lukeman ISBN: 068485743X Publisher: Fireside Pub. Date: 20 January, 2000 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: How to Write a Damn Good Novel : A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling by James N. Frey ISBN: 0312010443 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 15 December, 1987 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Immediate Fiction : A Complete Writing Course by Jerry Cleaver ISBN: 031228716X Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 13 February, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing: A 16-Step Program Guaranteed to Take You from Idea to Completed Manuscript by Evan Marshall ISBN: 1582970629 Publisher: Writers Digest Books Pub. Date: March, 2001 List Price(USD): $16.99 |
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