Structuring Your Novel

Rating:
Summary: THE book for writers who need direction
Review: Ever sat in front of the blank page or screen with an idea mulling around and thought GEE WHIZ where do I go from here?
This book guides you out of the mire and through to the safe haven of the goal.
Onward through the fog!

Rating:
Summary: Okay, but be careful
Review: First, this book is not about structuring your novel. It is a general book on fiction writing. Second, it is very basic, for beginning writers only. That said, if you are just starting out, this book has it over the other beginning books in that, at least, it says what it has to say and doesn't beat around the bush. If you need a cookbook approach, this is it.
It is very brief. Also, its format is to say what it has to say in bold characters, then repeat the same thing in a couple of paragraphs, as though you were hard of hearing or as though teaching a class of bored students whose minds may have been wandering when he said it the first time. For instance: "The protagonist in a novel can be singular (just the main character) or plural (more than one of the leading characters)." (p.11) Then, just in case that statement was too difficult for you, he spells it out in the next half-page. And so it goes. "To set the stage for the basic conflict..., place the protagonist in conflict with his own environment or the environment of others." (p.14) Again, a half page to repeat that. In other words, you can get all there is in the book just from reading the statements in bold print. That way, you can finish the book in one hour.
All this might be safe enough, except that some of these bold statements are debatable. For instance: "The basic conflict cannot be developed or sustained unless the author exaggerates the reaction of the protagonist to the stimulus of the environment." (p.20) "The event...that starts the chain of causally related events may or may not be presented in the first chapter." (p.128) Beware of such advice unless you have a good friend who is an acquisitions editor!
The author touches all the bases: idea, conflict, plot, viewpoint, theme, exposition, description, narration and action, characterization, symbolism. He also has two brief chapters on "craftsmanship" in which we are told to "Make every word count" (p.164) and that "The motivation of everything a character says and does in a novel must be established in the reader's mind." (p.158) And in a chapter on style we are told that "Style in novel writing cannot be taught." (.p.187)
As long as you go on to read several other beginning books on fiction writing and take many of the proclamations with a grain of salt, it might be safe to read this book. Certainly, it will get you started quickly.

Rating:
Summary: If you dream of writing a novel, DON'T read this book
Review: I boght this book a couple of years ago, but never got around to reading it until AFTER I'd written a novel & signed with a major literary agent. Thank God. I read chapter 1 & tossed the thing in the trash. REAL writers don't sit around thinking about what they want to prove with their writing. They don't try to figure out how they're going to use symbolism. For REAL writers, it's about the story. If you want to learn to write a novel, check out The Art & Craft of Novel Writing or How to Write & Sell Your First Novel. Avoid this clap-trap; it's worse than worthless. It will scare you away from writing your novel, or make it impossible for you to write it.

Rating:
Summary: great guide
Review: I can't recommend this book enough. I've looked at a lot of books on writing, and this is one of two that has actually helped me structure my novel. It has helped me on both the major plot and scene level. Sometimes when I am at a dead end, I thumb through this book and find a principle that helps me find a solution. There is not one chapter that isn't helpful, and the principles the authors discuss are identified clearly point-by-point in bold. My other favorite guide is "Building Better Plots" by Robert Kernen, which is a good companion for plot structure.

Rating:
Summary: Ready Set GO!!
Review: I suggest that Angie Dixon had better learn to spell before she tries to pretend that she is a great writer!! It isn't boght dear it is bought and where is it then?
I am afraid that she is just frustrated because even this fine little volume could not help her!
This is a grand little book that WILL get your inspired and started and it will give clear directions to start you off and get you headed in the right direction.
And that is what beginners need to become REAL writers which Ms Dixon clearly thinks she is but is not.

Rating:
Summary: THE book for writers who need direction
Review: I was so happy to learn today that this book is still in print as I have had occasion over the years to recommend it to many, many fiction writers I have coached in the writing of their novels. I first read it more than 20 years ago, and in pulling it down from my shelf I find that it still seems to me to have exceptionally clear explanations of point of view -- a hard concept for many first-time writers to get right -- and of theme -- a nebulous but important concept. If you want to master fictional technique, study this book. One of the best investments of time and money you could make! - Marcia Yudkin, Writing Coach and Author of 11 Books,

Rating:
Summary: One of the few useful books on writing a novel
Review: Of all of the writing books I have purchased, this is possibly my favorite. It truly gives you the tools to address all of the components needed to write your novel. I insisted that a friend of mine read it, but I can't wait to get it back! If you are serious about writing a novel, you must have this book!

Rating:
Summary: One of the few useful books on writing a novel
Review: Of all of the writing books I have purchased, this is possibly my favorite. It truly gives you the tools to address all of the components needed to write your novel. I insisted that a friend of mine read it, but I can't wait to get it back! If you are serious about writing a novel, you must have this book!

Rating:
Summary: The Great American Novel CAN be in your future
Review: The cover of this fine little volume says that it will make you want to dig out the paper and get it work on your novel -- it will! Once you get done answering the questions at the end of each chaper you will be well into your novel (the first five chapters) and on your way. It might not be the Muse but this book will do until it comes along! GET IT and get writing. The Great American Novel might just be the result! Good luck and THANK YOU Meredith and Fitzgerald!

Rating:
Summary: Ready Set GO!!
Review: This fine little volume will do just what it says: first it will get you to understand WHAT you are trying to say and WHY. Then it points you in the direction you must take to write the story that is in you. And think about it: most people who are "planning to write a novel" are still in the outline stage and stay that way. Why? They don't know WHAT they want to say or HOW. This little book will get you past all that and on your way.
What more can a book, seminar or class offer?
This is money well spent -- IF you are serious that it.