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Look at that—I'm on a roll! Maybe I'll reach 55 books before NaNo starts... although I desperately, desperately need to start planning. My procrastination is really starting to make me angry...
But anyway. Here be the review!
Book: Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell
Genre: Writing reference / Nonfiction
Length: 231 pp.
Grade: B
Amazon Summary: The second book in the Write Great Fiction series, Plot & Structure offers clear and concise information on creating a believable and engaging plot that readers can't resist. Written by award-winning thriller and suspense author James Scott Bell, this handy instruction guide provides:
My Thoughts: Getting ready for NaNo, I've been trying to work out Yulian a bit better than I have my previous two attempts, just because I don't want to have too much nonsense in my novel that I'll have to go through and edit out again. Because of this, I requested four books from the library (well, five now) and bought this one via my local bookstore.
So far, I'm wondering how any of the other books can be as useful as this one was. Going into this book, I wasn't sure how to start my novel, but after reading, I figured out where I want to start, including a preface and a fairly good (I hope) opening sentence for my first chapter. The first chapter is falling into place now, aand so is my main character, though my second main character is being a (excuse my immaturity for a moment) butthead.
James Scott Bell has got a secure grasp on plot and structure, that's for sure. I learned how to put my plot together, how to ratchet up intensity in scenes and how to keep it close to a 5 on the intensity scale if the scene doesn't have to be too intense, and all that information. The thing I was having the most trouble with was the beginning, and I think I am just going to entirely cut out all of the excess crud from my first starting ideas, starting right in the middle of the action.
This book honestly has everything you'd ever need to know about plotting a book and structuring it in a way that makes readers want to read on. He talks about the ideas in a very understandable way, supplying little exercises at the end to further help writers along in their writing. Not only that, but he also goes in depth on character arcs, beginnings, middles, ends, and revision.
The Revision and Character Arcs chapters were particularly useful. The revision chapter helped me realize that rewriting can be fun, so long as you go into it with the right attitude (which I will try to do once I'm done writing Yulian). The character arcs chapter also inspired me to think more about my characters, especially Ellie.
I could find something useful in every single chapter of this book, and I can't wait to start writing now. Most of the examples he used to illustrate his points came from the thriller/suspense/horror categories, but it applied to all genres as well.
So, all in all, I liked this book. If you're a NaNoer and want help plotting and/or structuring your novel, I'd recommend picking this one up.
Currently Reading:
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
Next Up:
Um, depends on which of the four (maybe five) books I want to dig into once I get them from the library today.
But anyway. Here be the review!
Book: Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell
Genre: Writing reference / Nonfiction
Length: 231 pp.
Grade: B
Amazon Summary: The second book in the Write Great Fiction series, Plot & Structure offers clear and concise information on creating a believable and engaging plot that readers can't resist. Written by award-winning thriller and suspense author James Scott Bell, this handy instruction guide provides:
- Easy-to-understand techniques on every aspect of plotting and structure, from brainstorming story ideas to building scenes, and from using subplots to crafting knock-out endings
- Engaging exercises, perfect for writers at any level and at any stage in their novel
- Practical and encouraging guidance from one of the most respected writers publishing today
My Thoughts: Getting ready for NaNo, I've been trying to work out Yulian a bit better than I have my previous two attempts, just because I don't want to have too much nonsense in my novel that I'll have to go through and edit out again. Because of this, I requested four books from the library (well, five now) and bought this one via my local bookstore.
So far, I'm wondering how any of the other books can be as useful as this one was. Going into this book, I wasn't sure how to start my novel, but after reading, I figured out where I want to start, including a preface and a fairly good (I hope) opening sentence for my first chapter. The first chapter is falling into place now, aand so is my main character, though my second main character is being a (excuse my immaturity for a moment) butthead.
James Scott Bell has got a secure grasp on plot and structure, that's for sure. I learned how to put my plot together, how to ratchet up intensity in scenes and how to keep it close to a 5 on the intensity scale if the scene doesn't have to be too intense, and all that information. The thing I was having the most trouble with was the beginning, and I think I am just going to entirely cut out all of the excess crud from my first starting ideas, starting right in the middle of the action.
This book honestly has everything you'd ever need to know about plotting a book and structuring it in a way that makes readers want to read on. He talks about the ideas in a very understandable way, supplying little exercises at the end to further help writers along in their writing. Not only that, but he also goes in depth on character arcs, beginnings, middles, ends, and revision.
The Revision and Character Arcs chapters were particularly useful. The revision chapter helped me realize that rewriting can be fun, so long as you go into it with the right attitude (which I will try to do once I'm done writing Yulian). The character arcs chapter also inspired me to think more about my characters, especially Ellie.
I could find something useful in every single chapter of this book, and I can't wait to start writing now. Most of the examples he used to illustrate his points came from the thriller/suspense/horror categories, but it applied to all genres as well.
So, all in all, I liked this book. If you're a NaNoer and want help plotting and/or structuring your novel, I'd recommend picking this one up.
Currently Reading:
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
Next Up:
Um, depends on which of the four (maybe five) books I want to dig into once I get them from the library today.
