|
The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing | 
 enlarge | Author: Evan Marshall
Publisher: Writers Digest Books
Category: Book
List Price: $16.99
Buy New: $4.93
You Save: $12.06 (71%)
New (31) Used (23) Collectible (1) from $4.92
Rating:  76 reviews
Sales Rank: 28324
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Pages: 240
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8
ISBN: 1582970629
Dewey Decimal Number: 808.3
EAN: 9781582970622
ASIN: 1582970629
Publication Date: April 1, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
By following this 16-step writing program, any writer can fulfill the dream of completing a novel that is ready to submit to agents and editors. No matter what type of novel the reader wants to write--western to romance to literary to fantasy--this program will work. It breaks down the novel-writing process into small, manageable tasks that even the most inexperienced writers can achieve. Readers will learn how to find a hook, create a conflict, develop a protagonist and set her into motion. Formerly an editor and now a successful literary agent, Marshall knows the marketplace. His expertise illuminates every subject, from insightful advice about choosing the right story to strategies for building that story with an eye toward publication. He includes plenty of diagrams, charts and section sheets to make following the program easier, and there's even a section with proven advice and information for writing effective query letters and submitting manuscripts for publication.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 71 more reviews...
Know the type of book you are writing. May 13, 2009
Walter Lewis (Dallas TX)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Marshall Plan for Novel WritingThe Marshall Plan Workbook : Writing Your Novel from Start to Finish
I am writing this review in response to some negative reviews here on Amazon.com.
Formulas and plans are the cornerstone of all artistic achievement. Why artists themselves have a difficult time with this is a mystery. Popular fiction genres have formulas, and to ignore this is akin to building a house from the heart, and without a plan.
Writing is more about craft than talent or art. Don't believe me? How many times has a writer's success come on their first book vs. their second, third or forth? I would venture to say in most cases it comes later. Time does not increase talent. Furthermore talent is common, the ability to apply the talent in a meaningful way is what is rare.
This book is one way to take the talent you have, apply sensible plotting ideas and structure allowing you to deliver a more professional finished work.
Marshall takes the structure of successful works and breaks them down to their elements. This might be too left brain for many of the artists out there, but it is a sound method for structuring your novel. You must still apply your own artistic vision in the forms of characterization, dialogue, setting, etc. The Marshall Plan takes the guesswork out of the "non-artistic" aspects of novel writing and allows you to focus on crafting a great story.
What about originality you might ask? There are few new stories, only new ways to tell them. Lofty goals seldom make good fiction. Shakespeare wrote for money. Being original without pulling it off perfectly risks creating a sense of dissonance in your audience, which will often relegate your work to the unpublished pile.
If you are like me, you would rather spend your time reading works that conform to your expectations. I would suggest that those who are offended by structure and limitations stick to poetry so I won't accidentally read it.
Furthermore, your chances of SELLING a 785 page romance novel, or 200 page thriller (although this is getting more common as successful writers are phoning it in) are slim. Publishers have established guidelines, ignore that to your peril. Marshall is in the publishing business.
Using the tried and true plotting tools provided in this book, along with your own application of craft, give you a much better chance of having your work read, by anyone other than your spouse or your mother.
Using this book will give you a place to start, and more importantly finish. I can't recommend it in any better way.
 Like Taking Apart a Puppy... April 20, 2009
F. Neun (Florida, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Reading The Marshall Plan for Novel writing was a bit like watching someone take apart a puppy to see what makes them so cute.
I purchased this on the advice of another writer. Overly structured, cookie cutter plot devices do not a great novel make. Does it work? Maybe. I don't know, I don't think I'll be able to use it. It sucked all the pleasure, joy and warmth out of writing for me. When I tried to face my current WIP the day after reading this, I was too demoralized and paranoid to type more than a few words.
If for some completely unanticipated reason you have to sit down and crank out a novel (let's say they'll take apart your puppy if you don't), this book might be helpful.
Definitely not for sci-fi/fantasy genre writers. It does NOT encourage speculation and imagination. I recommend Donald Maass's Writing the Breakout Novel instead. Both useful and inspirational. There are better places to find info on novel-plotting that will not make it a miserable chore.
 A GREAT BOOK February 11, 2009
VASSILIKI PLOMARITOU (Greece)
The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing is a great book! My computer crashed this weekend! I find this book refreshing, stimulating and a great gift for aspiring novelists! Any writer seeking to produce superior works must have the Marshall plan for Novel Writing. Congratulations of producing an important book for writers!
One of the Best Books for Writers November 20, 2008
RC Carrier (Sacramento, CA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Reading this book will not guarantee that you will write a great novel, but does point out many things to avoid. Get rid of as many adverbs as possible and replace them with stronger verbs.
Example:
He walked slowly down the street. (Drop "slowly." The man's speed should be indicated by the context of the passage.)
Better: He strolled down the street. (Walking is boring. Try another verb once in a while.)
Marshall notes that readers like surprises. Your novel should have three or four surprises. The first surprise should come at the end of the beginning. Marshall's book is filled with such gems.
Writing is an art that can be learned. Some people are born with the gift, but that does not mean the rest of us can't learn the craft.
I would highly recommend the "Marshal Plan." I got a lot out of it.
GREAT BOOK!!! September 11, 2008
Michelle O'neill (Orlando, Florida United States)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I struggled for years trying to finish a novel, then I happened upon this 'how to' book. Now I've authored over twenty. It makes everything easy, just keep an open mind and do exactly as it says. Later you can adapt your outlines to your writing style.
Michelle
www.michelle-oneill.com
|
|
|
| |
