Book Review: Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook

Last week I reviewed Donald Maass' Writing the Breakout Novel. This week, we'll take a look at the companion workbook.

 

After you read  Writing the Breakout Novel to learn the specific concepts Maass has pulled from authors' breakout novels. Then, grab Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook, a pad and pen, and start working through the exercises.

The exercises are grouped into three categories: Character Development, Plot Development, and General Story Techniques. You can pay about a thousand dollars to attend one of Maass' week long workshops, or use the book, which contains all 34 writing exercises used in the class.

Here's a quote from Maass' motivational introduction.

 

"On the following pages you will learn how to read a novel like a writer, understanding the technique and motivation behind every choice an author makes. You will find help in making your characters more memorable, adding layers of plot and weaving them together, discovering the themes hidden in your work, using time and place more effectively, and much more. There is also a first-line brainstorming session, a pitch factory, and a tension tune up--probably the most difficult yet necessary section of the book Do not skip that one."

Maass read more than 100 breakout novels and compared them to discover what made them stand out. His tips will make your fiction stronger, no matter what the genre.

Having Issues With WriteOnCon?

The WriteOnCon site is currently down (likely due to high volume), but the organizers are posting the current workshops on their blogs. The best way to find out what's being posted right now is to check the WriteOnCon Twitter Page. You don't have to be a Twitter member to see it. There are various posts with links to the workshops. Have fun!


Latest news: the site is back up! Click here to join in.

The Power of Story (from unknown authors)

As writers, whether fiction or memoir, we sometimes lament that we don't have a "big name" to attract publishers. Almost any actor or celebrity can write a book, and publishers will trip over each other trying to offer a contract.

But think about this. The story you tell, along with how well you tell it, is the most powerful tool in your arsenal. Never mind that you are unknown, unpublished, unagented. Your story will change that for you.

I got thinking about this when I read USA Today recently. A headline by Scott Bowles caught my eye: "Concepts, not big-name actors, are now the real stars of films". It's not a long article, and worth reading.

The basic point is, that while movie-makers used to put a well-known actor into a film to guarantee ticket sales, that tactic is no longer a given. Eight of the top ten movies this year depended on a great story, not great celebrity. Bowles quotes Access Hollywood critic Scott Mantz, "People don't need to recognize the face. They need to connect to the story."

That's great news for us unknown authors. Maybe you don't blog, or Twitter, and a website is out of the question right now. You have no connections, and no money to attend a writer's conference.

It doesn't matter.

Here's what you do have. The seed of an idea. A couple of chapters. A library full of great novels and books on the writing craft. Access to great blogs and groups online.

And time.

No, publication will not happen overnight (unless you're Angelina Jolie). It won't happen (probably) in a thousand overnights. But it can happen if you hang in there, learning and writing, and telling your story.

Because no one can resist a good one.

Free Writer's Conference Starts Tomorrow

Two quick notes: You can now have this blog sent to your email account. If you'd rather read via email, sign up in the box to the right. I've also added a search feature to the blog. This should make it easier to find a particular topic.

WriteOnCon starts tomorrow. If you'd like to attend an excellent conference, from the comfort of your home, for zero dollars, this is it. Nevermind that some of the workshops are geared towards children's writers, you don't have to write for kids to attend. There are plenty of offerings that will give you great information, no matter what your genre.

The schedule has just been posted in the last couple of days. Here it is:

Tuesday, August 10, 2010:

6:00 AM: Welcome Keynote by author Josh Berk

7:00 AM: Refining Your Craft with Each Book by author Janette Rallison

8:00 AM: Give Yourself Permission by editor Molly O’Neill

9:00 AM: Myths and Misconceptions by literary agent Holly Root, and editors Molly O’Neill and Martha Mihalick

10:00 AM: Illustrating Children’s Books by author/illustrator J.H. Everett and studio (series of 3, posted every 20 minutes)

11:00 AM: Bringing the Funny by author Rachel Hawkins

12:00 PM: Becoming a Career Author by literary agent Catherine Drayton

1:00 PM: Writing Middle Grade by author Jon Lewis

2:00 PM: Voice by literary agent Elana Roth

2:30 PM: Live chat with literary agent Suzie Townsend

3:00 PM: Writing a Query Letter by author Jodi Meadows

3:30: Joanna Volpe’s query critique

4:00 PM: Author Branding by author Shelli Johannes-Wells

5:00 PM: Questions to Ask Yourself Before a Revision by editor Kendra Levin

6:00 PM: Pie in the Face (how characters react to situations) by author Rosemary Clement-Moore

9:00 PM: Panel of Professionals chat LIVE (Elana Roth, Kathleen Ortiz, Martha Mihalick)

10:30 PM: Working with Agents and Editors, a live Workshop with literary agent Mark McVeigh

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

6:00 AM: Romance in YA by author Lisa Schroeder

7:00 AM: Plot and Pacing by author/literary agent Weronika Janczuk

8:00 AM: Using an Independent Publicist by author Lauren Becker

9:00 AM: The Revision Process by author Cynthea Liu (series of 3, posted every 20 minutes)

10:00 AM: Transition From Self-Published to Traditional Publishing by author Jennifer Fosberry

10:30 AM: Joanna Volpe’s query critique

11:00 AM: Live blogging event: Queries with literary agent Natalie Fischer

12:00 PM: Creating Memorable Characters by literary agent/author Mandy Hubbard

1:00 PM: Reaching Out to Schools and Libraries Before You’re Published by author Stasia Ward Kehoe

2:00 PM: Sex in YA: The ABC’s of Hooking Up by author Suzanne Young

Live chat with literary agent Natalie Fischer

3:00 PM: Keynote Address by author Lindsay Eland

3:30 PM: Writing Genre Fiction by author Julia Karr

4:00 PM:  Do’s and Don’t’s of Querying by literary agent Kate Testerman

5:00 PM: Authentic/Edgy YA by author Kody Keplinger

6:00 PM: How to Make a Character Collage by author Tera Lynn Childs

7:00 PM: Live chat with literary agent Jennifer Laughran

9:00 PM: Panel of Professionals chat LIVE (Anica Rissi, Joanna Volpe, Suzie Townsend, Mary Kole)

10:30 PM: Building an Online Presence, a live Workshop with author Daisy Whitney

Thursday, August 12, 2010

6:00 AM: Writing With a Real Life by author Lindsey Leavitt

7:00 AM: Writing Advice from PJ Hoover and the Texas Sweethearts

8:00 AM: Writing Realistic, Captivating Dialog by author Tom Leveen

9:00 AM: How to have a Successful Author Event at a Bookstore by Calondra McArthur

10:00 AM: Q&A by literary agent Steven Malk

10:30 AM: Writing a Complete Story Even Though it’s Part of a Trilogy by author Michelle Zink

11:00 AM: From Submission to Acquisition: An Editor’s Choose Your Own Adventure by editor Martha Mihalick

12:00 PM: Transitioning from Adult to YA by author Risa Green

1:00 PM: Rhyme in Picture Books by author Tiffany Strelitz

2:00 PM: The First Five Pages by Kathleen Ortiz

3:00 PM: Writing Thrillers for Young Adults by author Kimberly Derting

3:30 PM: Picture Books and Easy Readers by author Shelley Thomas

4:00 PM: Staying positive in the face of rejections by author Crystal Stranaghan

5:00 PM: Avoiding Character Stereotypes by literary agent Mary Kole

6:00 PM: Creating New Mythologies by author Aprilynne Pike

9:00 PM: Panel of Professionals chat LIVE (Michelle Andelman, Molly O’Neill, Kate Testerman)

10:30 PM: The Revision Process from Both Sides of the Desk, a live Workshop with literary agent/author Regina Brooks

1400 people have registered so far. Will you be one of them? It's easy to sign up. Instructions are here.

And remember, if you're busy during the daytime workshops, you'll be able to read the workshop threads at any time, and transcripts will be posted of the live chats. Hope to see you there!

Agent Friday: Ken Wright

This week's agent comes from the powerful Writers House (which happens to be the agency that reps Stephenie Meyer of Twilight fame). One reason I like Writers House is that the building they occupy in New York City is a wonderful historic spot, decorated just as a writer would like. If you troll the different pages of their website, you'll get the idea.

Back to Ken Wright. After working for two decades as a children's editor and publisher, he became an agent, who deals mainly with adult manuscripts, most of them non-fiction. He does sell a limited amount of juvenile fiction and non-fiction.

Ken blogs on the WeBook blog with three writer/author/teacher/editors. He pens the "Ask the Agent" column, which appears about once a week. If you've got a question for him, go ahead and ask it on the blog. Some of his posts I like:

Wright explains why he might reject a perfectly good query letter.

The top ten list of what agents do for authors.

If you're wondering how you can find a good agent, Wright has some great answers.

You finally get the call. An agent offers representation. What questions should you ask before you seal the deal?

An interesting feature of the WeBook blog is the page where writers can submit a first page or short story for review (there is a small fee). If your submission makes it through the three rounds of analysis, it might be read by a literary agent. Check it out at Page to Fame.

For more info on Ken Wright, check out the spotlight on the wonderful Literary Rambles.

Can't get enough of Agent Friday. There are lots more here.

More Free Stuff From Writer's Digest

I love Writer's Digest Magazine. Reading it every month is like getting a shot in the arm and renews my excitement to write. If you, like me, don't have extra money for a subscription, this is the item to ask for on your birthday, or Christmas (thanks, sis!).

My favorite Writer's Digest issue is the 101 Best Websites for Writers. If you live overseas, in a remote area, or just have financial constraints, then the internet is your main source of writing information, instruction, and interaction. The Writer's Digest website issue lists the top websites and blogs that writers vote for.

Normally, you'd have to subscribe to the magazine, buy it at the newsstand, or find it in the library. But right now, if you sign up for the informative Writer's Digest free newsletter, you'll get a .pdf download of the entire list, exactly as it looks in the full-color magazine.

What's on it that's worthwhile? The websites are divided into categories: writing advice, general resources, jobs and markets, online writing communities, agents, publishing & marketing resources, genres & niches, and just for fun. Here are a few examples:

If you have any kind of writing question, check out the Ask Allison site.

Winning Writers is a great site for those who want to enter legitimate contests, with advice and alerts about scams.

And don't forget to visit Cool Stuff 4 Writers, a website with interviews, resources and writer's questions answered.

There's another freebie from Writer's Digest. Right now, they're offering a free webinar on getting published. This webinar (a "web seminar")  is on-demand, meaning you don't have to be available on a particular date at a certain time. You just listen in whenever it's convenient.

This webinar is conducted by an experienced writing coach, who answers writers frequently asked questions. Check out a list of the topics she touches on.

I'm always looking for more websites and blogs that give great information to writers. If you've found a favorite, leave a link in the comments. And if you'd like to nominate that blog for next year's 101 Best Websites for Writers, send an email to writersdig@fwpubs.com with "101 Best Websites" as the subject.

Book Review: Writing the Breakout Novel

Writing the Breakout Novel was the first writing book I purchased. The cover is hanging open, and won't stay shut. The page corners are bruised and stained.

All signs of a great book.

Written over ten years ago by uber-agent Donald Maass, the book is currently #15 on Amazon's extensive list of fiction books. I hope my books do as well after a decade.

What is a breakout novel? If an author has a few books published, and then a subsequent one sells far more than expected, or appears on the bestseller lists, they are said to have written a "breakout novel".

Can you have a breakout novel on your first try? Maass says yes. But there are key elements that need to be in place in order for your book to resonate to the level of stellar sales.

In the eleven-chapter book, Maass explains from his thirty-year perspective as an agent, what those key elements are. When you've seen great and not-so-great books come and go, you tend to get a feel for what works (The Donald Maass agency sells more than 150 books to publishers each year).

Here's a quote from Maass:

"Novels are written one word at a time, and the choices made along the way can as easily produce a mildly engaging midlist novel as a highly memorable breakout. I believe that the difference lies in the author's commitment to great storytelling. But that commitment cannot be realized without the necessary tools. Giving you the necessary tools is my purpose in writing this book. Over the last twenty years, I have learned a lot about what lifts a novel out of the ranks of the ordinary and into the realm of the breakout."

If you're curious about Donald Maass, you can find links to his website and a few interviews here. And if you ever get a chance to attend a Maass workshop in person, don't think twice. Do it.

Next week, I'll review the companion volume, Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook.

The Power of Three

Not too long ago, on the tenth of the month, I gathered a collection of articles, each listing ten things writers needed to know. Wouldn't you know that the current issue of Writer's Digest did the same thing? (I have no illusions they got the idea from me, but they did a great job) Being the third of the month, let's pick some articles with three as their focus. Nice and succinct.

This grouping is by no means all that's out there. For these articles, I mined the vast array of blogs in my Google Reader. Do you use Google Reader? If you don't you're spending way too much time going from blog to blog.

First up.

How do you know you're ready to write full-time? Chip MacGregor lists three ways to know it's time.

Three stages of editing your work, from UK writer Nicola Morgan.

C. Patrick Schulze on what are the specific parts of a three-dimensional character. (thanks to Adventures in Children's publishing, who posts a list of best articles each week from around the web.)

The use of three asterisks in manuscript formatting, and more from Randy Ingermanson. Also from Randy, must you know your three-act structure?

Three critical tools every writer needs if they want to develop a speaking platform, from Seekerville.

Pimp My Novel gives the three things a book cover must do.

How a good scene is like a three-part joke, by Julie Bush.

From Highspot, the three-format future of books.

And finally, from agent Michael Larsen, three ways that writing your obituary will motivate your literary career.

Any other threes you'd like to share?

Time to Recheck Your Goals

How many corks did you pop this last New Year's Eve? Where are they now?

Don't have a clue?

What about the goals you set for yourself as a writer at the beginning of the year?

Ouch.

It's so easy to begin the year with lofty, or even concrete goals for the year. But if we don't keep those plans right in front of us, we can easily lose sight of them.

Think of leading a donkey with a carrot on a stick. If the donkey can't see the carrot, he'll wander aimlessly. I wonder how much I've been wandering?

I wrote out my goals on January first, and tacked the list to a board next to my computer. Here's a summary of my six goals and how I'm doing. How about you?

1. Write every day. This one's been pretty easy. Since I began blogging five days a week, I've been forced to write even when I don't want to. I may not write on my novel every day, but I am writing daily.
2. Attend a writing conference. I got to check this one off twice. In January I attended the SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City, and in April I had the opportunity to be at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference in Colorado Springs.
3. Get another article published. Twice again (I think I could work harder and do better with this. One of my short stories was published in an online magazine, and another non-fiction story was published in an anthology.
4. Finish manuscript by late spring. Alright, here I'm not doing so well. I'm about the halfway point. One thing I've realized is that it's not realistic (with four children) to expect to get much serious writing done in the summer time. Schedules are crazy, and though my children are home with me during the school year as well, we have much more of a planned routine. Next summer will be reserved for editing and querying.
5. Edit manuscript. This one is coming along. I joined a critique group in January, and another one in June. I also meet one-on-one with another writer. Having lots of different input on my manuscript makes it stronger, and keeps me writing (and revising).
6. Begin querying agents by summer. OK, so in January I thought I might be finished writing, revising and critiquing my manuscript. A little far-fetched. But if every goal you write down is easily obtainable, you won't challenge yourself to reach farther than you anticipated. 

If you didn't write down goals in January, there are still 5 months left in this year. Or you could plan some goals between now and next summer (you can find a great printable to write them on here). Whatever you do, don't let the rest of this year slip away without focus. Keep that carrot in sight.

How are you doing with your writing goals? Leave a comment below.