Are you writing a novel? Do you want to make sure you finish?
Most books on writing will make you read hundreds of pages about character arcs, inciting incidents, heroes’ journeys. It’s great to know that – but it's not writing. And how do you use this learning?
Nail Your Novel is a writing mentor in a book. In 10 steps it will tell you how to:
* shape your idea
* use your research
* write when you’re stuck
* polish your manuscript
* approach publishers and agents.
Thumbnail Notes give tutorials about storycraft – strictly when you need them.
You don’t even need to read the whole book before you get started. Read a section, then do as it says.
Don’t procrastinate with another theory book. Don’t get stuck and throw your hard work in a drawer. Nail your novel.
The author is a senior book doctor for a major literary consultancy in London, writes fiction under her own name and has ghostwritten bestselling novels for household names.
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People Reviewed This Item
By Dave Morris
Jan 13, 2010
"Email comment from Frazer Payne" Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I took your book as company on a long train journey to Sheffield this weekend. I was going to visit a friend who, like me, is an aspiring novelist. By the time I got up there I had read it twice and felt compelled, out of friendship, to give him my copy immediately upon my arrival. So, dammit, I will have to buy another one, and it’s all your fault. Thank you very much for an excellent read. We spent the weekend playing ‘the card game’ for a co-authoring project. It may come to nought, but it was lovely to feel the buzz again, all the same. And here's more praise for Nail Your Novel: From Marsha Durham, Writing Companion: "Substantial and well thought out..." Read the full review at http://writingcompanion.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/e-book-novel-writing/ From Matt Zandstra aka Inflatable Ink: "This is a fine book. It provides a clean high level view of the novel writing... More > process. While other books delve deep into specifics, Nail Your Novel offers a clear roadmap from conception to submission. A map to which I return periodically as I get lost in the details of a scene, or let my minor characters take over and steal focus from my protagonist." Read the full review at http://www.inflatableink.com/2009/12/nail-your-novel-review.html From Paul Greci aka Northwriter: "Nail Your Novel is about how to take your idea and turn it into a novel, and about how to breathe new life into abandoned projects. It is not a craft book, but more of a process book…" Read the full review at http://paulgreci.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/scenework-is-teamwork/ From Darcy Pattison of Fiction Notes: "Morris writes with great wit and wisdom about the writing process, starting with those awkward moments when you actually admit, 'Yes, I’m, uh, writing, well, you know, something a bit longer. Maybe, a, uh, a novel.' Writing always begins here, by acknowledging the writer as a person with the usual insecurities. Morris address this directly by providing you with some structure. No, structure isn’t for everyone, but for beginners, structure can be a comfort and save them a lot of time. Overall, Morris’s experience enhances the book. Even if you’re experienced, I recommend the book as a review for concepts you already know. Because I think you’ll also find some unexpected nuggets." For the full review go to http://www.darcypattison.com/first-drafts/nail-your-novel/ From Gavin Allvin aka Aelf: "After reading it I think I have a much better handle on structure. Not so much structure of the novel, which I'm comfortable with, but structure of the work process used to create each layer of the story so that it will be cohesive and entertaining when complete. Maybe now I can step out of the concrete, take off the snowshoes and make a focused dashed to those two mythical words that every novelist loves to type - 'The End'." Read more at http://www.aelfbooks.com/< Less
Novelist, ghost writer, and professional critiquer Roz Morris’s free e-book Nail Your Novel is wonderful guide to the bones of writing a novel. A “writing buddy in a book,” this 122-page book pares down the basics of crafting a lengthy piece of fiction and presents a helpful methodology that dispenses with the often hazy, daunting journey from story conception to finished product. In a no-nonsense, cut-to-the-chase set of “tasks,” Morris offers her own regimented technique for building a novel from the ground up. Although her intensive, detail-oriented process won’t be a good fit for everyone, it’s an excellent place for young writers to start. She walks writers through the basics, beginning with nurturing ideas into usable premises and following the process all the way to the light at the end of the tunnel: selling a completed manuscript to a publisher. In many respects, Morris’s process is very similar to my own, so I found myself nodding my head vigorously over many of her points.... More > Her discussion of outlining, in particular, overflowed with excellent advice, including tips for organizing scenes and filling in the blanks. Her inclusion of “thumb notes,” which pause to describe integral pieces of the story-telling puzzle—including character and plot, genre, and scene structure—are an excellent primer for often misunderstood areas of fiction. As a guide for young novelists who are still trying to figure out just how to get a book written, Nail Your Novel is an excellent resource. For those who already know what they’re doing, this fascinating glimpse into the successful process of another author is sure to offer some excellent gems for fine-tuning already established techniques< Less
