Your First Novel
Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb
Writer's Digest Books
Nonfiction, Writing
****
DESCRIPTION: You've always wanted to see your name on the shelves of your favorite bookstore... but a long and bewildering road stretches between your dream and reality. Impossible as it seems, all of your favorite (and not-so-favorite) authors somehow managed to navigate it successfully, so clearly it can be done. But how? How can you turn an idea into a story? What do you do with it when you're done? What happens after you submit your manuscript - and what are the odds you've really written something the rest of the world wants to read, anyway? The co-authors, one a published novelist and one a literary agent, explain the whole process from start to finish.
REVIEW: This book is really two books in one binding. The first, by Whitcomb, focuses on how to craft a successful novel. Much of the advice here, while well written, has been covered in other how-to-write books I've read, though with a few new tips and tricks. The second part, by Rittenberg, picks up where most other writing books end (or at least taper off.) Here is where Your First Novel truly stands out from the pack, delving into the world of agents and publishing houses for a look at what happens to a finished manuscript - and why writers may find themselves working harder than ever even after an editor buys their book. It makes for fascinating, if sometimes daunting (and occasionally tedious), reading. A little less repetition in the first half would've easily bumped it up another half-star.
You might also enjoy:
The Art of War for Writers (James Scott Bell, Writing - A no-nonsense look at how to be a writer)
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers (Renni Browne and Davie King, Writing - A practical guide to editing)
Writing Tools (Roy Peter Clark, Writing - From idea generation to finishing touches, 50 tools to make writing easier)
Writing the Breakout Novel (Donald Maass, Writing - How to make your next story your best story)
How Not to Write a Novel (Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman, Writing - Sure-fire ways to sink any story)
Write Good or Die (Scott Nicholson, editor, Writing - Articles from published authors about writing, publishing, and more)
Profit from the eBook Revolution (Bob Perry, Nonfiction - Learn how to publish and publicize for maximum profit)
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