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Title: Writing the Blockbuster Novel by Albert Zuckerman ISBN: 1-58297-127-7 Publisher: Writer's Digest Books Pub. Date: 01 February, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (18 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Writing the Blockbuster Novel FOR DUMMIES!!!!!!!
Comment: The only fault that I found with this book is that it should have been titled "Writing the Blockbuster Novel FOR DUMMIES". I have two BIBLES on how to create a novel-the other is Stein on Writing. Both of these books contain similar content but approach the topic of creation from a different point of view. A budding novelist should read both in order to grasp the key concepts required to create an interesting and sellable work.
Like many people, I find it easier to grasp new concepts when introduced with an example. Mr. Zuckerman introduces a writing concept and then reinforces it by demonstrating how it is achieved in different blockbuster titles. The majority of the references in this book are to Ken Follett's "The Man from St. Petersburg." This book must be read in order to gain the full impact of the examples. I found that if you rent the videos "Gone with the Wind" and "The Godfather" the points of reference to these works can be gleaned over popcorn and soda.
One of the most interesting chapters is dedicated to the outlining process. Mr. Zuckerman reprints several early outlines of "The Man from St. Petersburg." For anyone trying to build a work of fiction, it is comforting to see that even a successful writer such as Ken Follett doesn't get it right the first time.(Second, Thrid...) A must have!!!!!!!!!!
Rating: 4
Summary: An Excellent Resource for Mainstream Novelists
Comment: This book should prove very helpful to writers of commercial fiction. It's not necessary to read the blockbusters (Man from St. Petersburg, GWTW, Godfather, Thorn Birds) to follow Zuckerman's arguments, though the novels will certainly help any writer learning the craft. The Follett outlines demonstrate how a serious (and ambitious) novelist crafts his work prior to writing. The outlines give a very detailed look at the novel in its various stages of development, and Zuckerman's analyses of them are dead-on. However, Zuckerman pays too little attention to the other novels: he's not nearly as detailed or insightful of their inner workings as he is with Follet's, which he edited. Moreover, the inclusion of "Garden of Lies," a novel written by his wife, seems to be a ploy to squeeze royalties out of an anachronistic book that few nowadays would consider a blockbuster. But Zuckerman is an agent, after all, so such tactics shouldn't scare die-hards off.
Zuckerman warns that the first-time novelist attempting a blockbuster might be biting more than he can chew, since he he isn't talking about any ordinary bestseller, but a "blockbuster." However, some of his advice (e.g., not to write a historical work) must be taken with a grain of salt because, even as he points out, most of the works he's dealing with are period pieces. In addition, anyone looking for a "how to write" book will not find much guidance here (Zuckerman assumes we know the basics of conflict, structure, character, etc.). Nor does he delve into the matter of how to sell your work.
Overall, an excellent resource to your writer's library, and well worth the price. Writers who aspire to blockbusterdom (or just plain bestseller status) owe Zuckerman a big thanks.
Rating: 1
Summary: I sent Zuckerman's agency a query letter...
Comment: ...for a novel I'm shopping around, and guess what he sent me in my SASE in return? An order form for this book! Kindly eat me, Mr. Zuckerman.
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Title: Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass ISBN: 158297182X Publisher: Writer's Digest Books Pub. Date: 01 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.99 |
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Title: Stein on Writing by Sol Stein ISBN: 0312254210 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 01 January, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: How to Write a Damn Good Novel : A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling (How to Write a Damn Good Novel) 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: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne, Dave King ISBN: 0062720465 Publisher: HarperResource Pub. Date: 01 March, 1994 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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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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