Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook

by Donald Maass

Paperback, 2004

Status

Available

Call number

808.3

Publication

Writer's Digest Books (2004), 240 pages

Description

Make Your Novel Stand Out from the Crowd! Noted literary agent and author Donald Maass has done it again! His previous book, Writing the Breakout Novel, offered novelists of all skill levels and genres insider advice on how to make their books rise above the competition and succeed in a crowded marketplace. Now, building on the success of its predecessor, Writing the Breakout Novel Workbookcalls that advice into action! This powerful book presents the patented techniques and writing exercises from Maass's popular writing workshops to offer novelists first-class instruction and practical guidance. You'll learn to develop and strengthen aspects of your prose with sections on: Building plot layers Creating inner conflict Strengthening voice and point of view Discovering and heightening larger-than-life character qualities Strengthening theme And much more! Maass also carefully dissects examples from real-life breakout novels so you'll lean how to read and analyze fiction like a writer. With authoritative instruction and hands-on workbook exercises, Writing the Breakout Novel Workbookis one of the most accessible novel-writing guides available. Set your work-in progress apart from the competition and write your own breakout novel today!… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member ChuckB

Donald Maass is a star agent that all writers are clamoring to work with. He represents over 100 writers, who together sell more than 100 books per year. I've seen presentations by him on writing effective query letters and on editing your manuscript, and he is first class all the way. A gifted

speaker, presenter and agent. Buy this book, and the text that goes with it!

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LibraryThing member McGrewc

The follow up to Donald's book of the same name. If you can only afford one go for the workbook, but both are must haves.

LibraryThing member PacificBlue

I got this workbook before realising there was actually a book beforehand, but there was enough information contained within to make the whole thing work standalone. I read this from cover to cover as I was planning a novel, and each area really made me stop and think, meaning I achieved the

planning well enough to allow me to achieve the first draft in one month, of 150,000 words, with no loose plots etc. I now plan to use Wriing the Breakout Novel Workbook when tackling the first (and probably second) edit of the novel I wrote, actually doing most of the exercises systematically when needed.

Donald Maass' inclusions of example passages from what he considers breakout novels also meant I became aware of quite a few novels I would want to read myself. And I went out and bought three of them, and have since read them.

I liked this Workbook a lot, and would recommend it to many new writers contemplating fiction novels.

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LibraryThing member RebeccaE

The exercises in this book are excellent. If you already have a rough draft of a novel, and are looking to deepen your characters, plots and themes, this book will help you with specific exercises.

Each writing exercise is preceded by a section explaining why the exercise is important, and includes

examples from "breakout" novels. Unfortunately, most of the examples are dreadful. I got so sick of reading excerpts of mystery novels and thrillers, most of them involving men avenging the murder/rape of their girlfriends, wives and daughters that I finally skipped the expository sections and went ahead and did the exercises. It's too bad he uses the examples he does, because Maas' exercises do a wonderful job of helping you deepen your characters and plot as well as help you figure out what should be scrapped. I can think of plenty of good novels which would have illustrated his points much better.

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LibraryThing member JMJ_Williamson

Probably one of the best books on the art of writing fiction that I have read. I initially read this when I first started writing fiction two years ago. I still pick it up from time to time to re-read and find gems of advice that I missed the first time around. It's probably not the best book for a

newbie writer to start with. But once you've mastered the basics of structure, dialogue, POV and characterisation you'll be ready for Maas to take you to the next level. It's full of useful advice that will help polish your technique.

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LibraryThing member Lndlindsey

One of the most useful writing reference books I've ever had. I wouldn't say it's the be all end all of writing references, but it made me look at my manuscript in a whole new way and guided me through making it better. Worth every penny.

LibraryThing member JoniMFisher

Donald Maass's genius shines in this guide for writers. Practical, insightful and full of practice exercises to apply the concepts. Almost as good as his workshops!

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