Write Now Editing

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass (book review)

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Take your fiction to the next level!

Maybe you’re a first-time novelist looking for practical guidance. Maybe you’ve already been published, but your latest effort is stuck in mid-list limbo. Whatever the case may be, author and literary agent Donald Maass can show you how to take your prose to the next level and write a breakout novel – one that rises out of obscurity and hits the best-seller lists.

Maass details the elements that all breakout novels share – regardless of genre – then shows you writing techniques that can make your own books stand out and succeed in a crowded marketplace.

You’ll learn to:

– establish a powerful and sweeping sense of time and place
– weave subplots into the main action for a complex, engrossing story
– create larger-than-life characters that step right off the page
– explore universal themes that will interest a broad audience of readers
– sustain a high degree of narrative tension from start to finish
– develop an inspired premise that sets your novel apart from the competition

Then, using examples from the recent works of several best-selling authors – including novelist Anne Perry – Maass illustrates methods for upping the ante in every aspect of your novel writing. You’ll capture the eye of an agent, generate publisher interest and lay the foundation for a promising career.

This was a re-read for me, as I’d read this book several years ago and wanted to revisit it after I had a few more years of writing experience. My opinion about the books hasn’t changed:

It’s a great book full of good information, but it’s NOT for new writers.

You really can’t write a breakout novel until you can successfully write a novel. As an editor, I see too many manuscripts from authors wanting to breakout, but they haven’t yet mastered the basics.

I also think it’s important to realize that breakout novels aren’t for everyone. Do they sell well? Absolutely (that’s why they’re breakouts)! But out of all of the examples he used, not many of them are contemporary, and not many of them are in the style/genre that I like to read.

Takeaway?

There’s some great info in the book and it can definitely help you improve your writing, but first you need to learn the basics. Then you need to figure out if this type of breaking out is what you really want to do.

I absolutely recommend reading this book, but not at the beginning of your writing career. Get your copy here!

Boundaries: When to Say Yes and How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend (book review)

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Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives:

— Physical boundaries help us determine who may touch us and under what circumstances
— Mental boundaries give us the freedom to have our own thoughts and opinions
— Emotional boundaries help us to deal with our own emotions and disengage from the harmful, manipulative emotions of others
— Spiritual boundaries help us to distinguish God’s will from our own and give us renewed awe for our Creator.

Often, Christians focus so much on being loving and unselfish that they forget their own limits and limitations. When confronted with their lack of boundaries, they ask:

– Can I set limits and still be a loving person?
– What are legitimate boundaries?
– What if someone is upset or hurt by my boundaries?
– How do I answer someone who wants my time, love, energy, or money?
– Aren’t boundaries selfish?
– Why do I feel guilty or afraid when I consider setting boundaries?

Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend offer biblically-based answers to these and other tough questions, showing us how to set healthy boundaries with our parents, spouses, children, friends, co-workers, and even ourselves.

A friend recommended this book as I was having some relationship issues in my life. I’d heard of it but had never considered reading it. I’m of mixed emotions about this book.

For one thing, it’s fascinating — I had no idea people start learning and setting boundaries at such a young age. I also hadn’t really considered how many different ways there are to establish boundaries (with family, at work, with friends, and even with God). It was also interesting to see how many unhealthy relationships I have in my own life. It’s easy to identify boundary issues in others (especially when it’s not your issue), but it’s a little startling to realize you’ve allowed so many unhealthy behaviors in your own circles.

That brings up the mixed part of the emotions — it’s a little heartbreaking to realize how many people don’t relate well to each other. This book will probably point out a lot of things that you didn’t realize needed tweaking in your life (and they won’t all be easy to accept).

I most enjoyed the sections that used examples. There were a few descriptions that I couldn’t really wrap my head around, but for the most part I found the book easy to read and follow (though not always accept). This isn’t a read-it-in-a-weekend sort of book. It will make you think about your life a lot. I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who’s looking for a light read, but it could definitely be good from that person who wants to establish deeper, more meaningful relationships in his/her life.

Copy and Paste Book Reviews

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Authors love book reviews. Not because we want to hear how great we are but because review numbers help us (and others) see how many people are reading our books. They let us know if (and how) we’re connecting with our readers. In some cases, they even help us promote our books by tipping the algorithms in our favor. If every person who bought a book left a review, it could possibly change the course of an author’s career!

But a lot of people don’t leave reviews for a lot of reasons:

  • They don’t know what to say.
  • They want the review to be perfect.
  • They’re afraid of saying something wrong or hurtful.
  • They’re not great writers and the thought of writing even a few words for a review terrifies them.

If you fall into any of these categories, can I offer some comfort?

  1. A book review is an opinion, and you’re entitled to your opinion regardless of whether or not anyone else agrees with it.
  2. All book reviews help.
  3. You’re not responsible for the author’s feelings. If you didn’t like the book, be honest. If the author can’t take criticism, he/she shouldn’t be publishing books.
  4. Reviews don’t have to be long or perfect. Two words (loved it/hated it) work.

And now, the reason for this post—I want to help readers stop worrying so much about reviews and actually post them! Here’s how this works: below are reviews divided into three categories (loved it, liked it, hated it). Feel free to copy and paste as your book review anytime you want to help an author out but you don’t want to worry about what to write:

Loved It

Great story—couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait for the next book.

Loved it!

Loved the characters. Loved the plot. Love this author.

Another great book by a great author. I can’t wait to read the next book.

So good I’ll probably read it again!

Liked It

A fun read.

Good story.

Not my favorite book by this author, but I still enjoyed it.

Not my favorite type of story, but I still enjoyed it.

A little unbelievable in some places, but I still liked it.

A fun way to spend the weekend.

Hated It

I really wanted to like this book, but I didn’t. It’s just not my style.

I tried to like this book, but I couldn’t get into it.

I know a lot of people liked this book, but it’s not for me.

Owner of Write Now Editing, Karin Beery is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Christian Editor Network, where she teaches several editing classes through the PEN Institute and serves as the coordinator for the Christian Editor Connection. She is the Managing Editor of Guiding Light Women’s Fiction, an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Her sophomore novel, Practically Married, is a 2020 Serious Writer Book of the Year finalist.

Troubleshooting Your Novel: 100 Incredibly Practical Ways to Fix Your Fiction by Steven James (book review)

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Take your story to the next level of excellence!

You’ve completed the first draft of your novel–now what? Chances are, it’s not perfect…at least not yet. In order to increase your chances of getting a literary agent, selling your manuscript to a publisher, or garnering an audience for your self-published work, you need targeted, practical instruction on tackling the problem areas and weak spots in your story. You need Troubleshooting Your Novel.

In this hand-on, easy-to-use guide, award-winning author Steven James provides helpful techniques and checklists, timesaving tricks of the trade, and hundreds of questions for manuscript analysis and revision. You’ll learn how to:
ADJUST elements of story progression, from causality, tension, and setbacks to plot twists, climaxes, and endings.
DEVELOP authentic, riveting characters by exploring their attitudes, desires, beliefs, and more.
LEARN narrative techniques for elements such as dialogue, flashbacks, suspense, voice, subtext, and flow.
ENSURE reader engagement by aligning with their expectations, fulfilling promises, and instilling trust.
CHECK issues with context and continuity.
You owe your book more than just a polish and a proofread. Strengthen your story, prepare it for the marketplace, and make it the best it can be with Troubleshooting Your Novel.

Wow — there is a LOT of information in this book. In fact, it’s a bit overwhelming. I sat down to read it thinking it would be a quick read to reinforce what I already know about writing fiction, but it’s anything but quick. There’s a lot to read and digest.

Two things really stood out to me: one that I like and one that I wasn’t so crazy about.

What I liked: the chapters are short and topical, so you can pretty much search for whatever’s bothering you/whatever you’re struggling with and quickly find the chapter.

What I wasn’t so crazy about: there’s some great info, but no examples. I’m the type of learner who needs an example of what’s wrong and what’s right so I can see how to correct it, but there are no examples. For people like me, this book might not be the most helpful resource: you need to know how to identify bad writing before you pick up this book, otherwise you won’t know what to look for. That will be hard to do for some people; however, if you have someone to tell you your weaknesses, you can find the right topic for what you need.

Overall, though, it’s full of excellent information; it just may not be easily accessible for everyone. Get your copy here!

Writer to Writer: Lessons from a Lifetime of Learning by Cecil Murphy (book review)

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If you want to become the best writer you can be, Writer to Writer is for you. This isn’t a grammar book. It isn’t a rulebook for writers. It’s the “in the trenches” companion for you along your writing journey, whether you’re just starting out or have been writing for years.

In Writer to Writer, award-winning author and beloved mentor Cecil Murphey shares the lessons he’s learned from a lifetime of writing. Read one of the bite-sized entries a day, a chapter a week, or the entire book at once. Jump into the book any place you like. It’s also a handy discussion tool for writing groups. Topics include:



*how to look like a professional (even if you’re an amateur)
*writing basics you need to know
*fine-tuning your fiction
*how to keep your reader intrigued
*what annoys and pleases publishers
*dealing with writers’ block and rejections
*tips for writers groups
*literary agents and contracts
*making a living as a writer, and much more.

“Good writing demands self-discipline and constant learning. I’m still learning. In the meanwhile, Writer to Writer is my legacy gift to you. I want to help you become a better writer.”-Cecil Murphey.

I really wish I’d discovered this book a decade ago when I was learning how to write blogs, web content, newsletters, and books. Not only is this book full of information, the short lessons (usually less than a page) are easy to study and digest. You could read one per day or one topic per day — there are plenty of ways to divide this book up.

I’m so impressed by the content and the ease of reading it that I’ve recommended it to my sister for her homeschooled children. They both want to be writers, and the practical advice in this book will help them develop those skills.

I will definitely start recommending this book to new writers regarldess of what they’re writing. You’re bound to find tips and information that will help, whether you’re writing an article or a novel.

ABOUT ME

Editor. Teacher. Novelist.
A passionate lover of fiction, Karin doesn't just write novels, she helps others write their best stories! A certified substantive editor with the Christian Editor Connection, her goal is to help authors to put her out of business by equipping them with the tools they need to become better writers.

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Karin understood my advertising and marketing writing needs and accomplished the project in record time. She asked all the right questions up front to equip herself with enough … [more]

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Substantive Fiction Editing: A substantive edit looks at the big picture. Start here to tackle the big issues before moving on to the nit-picky details. Substantive edits not only point out … [more]

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Lover of all things fiction, I also love University of Michigan football, the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings, kayaking, gluten-free cupcakes, and my husband.

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Press Release Tool Kit Stop waiting and hoping for people to notice you and your organization! With this Press Release Tool Kit, you’ll learn to apply the step-by-step process I use to … [more]