A guide to writing and publishing a novel that offers tips for improving writing skills, creating believable characters, choosing a point of view, developing a plot, and other related topics.

"Offers inspiration and practical advice from today's greatest writers ... secrets to approaching work with renewed creativity --Container.

Writing A Novel is not a set of rules and regulations. It is an atlas, a guide to finding your own way over the treacherous passes of your first novel. Pulling together his years of experience as a novelist and a teacher, Richard Skinner covers the basics of writing great fiction - narrators, characters, settings - with charm and rigour. But more than that, he argues that the journey towards a final manuscript is as important as the finished article itself.His approach works: many of Richard's students have gone on to secure publishing deals and many more have left his courses with work to be proud of. With its balance of warmth and wisdom, Writing a Novel will give any aspiring writer the confidence to face the blank page -- and to fill it.

Do you have an idea for a book but don't know how to get started? Have you started books, but get stuck in the middle and can't quite finish? Have you finished books, but received poor reviews or rejections from publishers who thought something was lacking? Don't be a slave to the Muse. Don't sit around and wait for the right inspiration to carry you away. Let me take you by the hand and walk you through a step-by-step process of plotting a novel, from the first spark of an idea. The Story Toolkit is like having a developmental editor in your pocket--someone who can ask the right questions at the right stage. It can straighten out that story you've got tangled up in your head, and smooth it out into a clear plan you can use to write a successful novel. It does this through a series of worksheets to help you build your novel into something of ever greater complexity. It provides a framework to combat the chaos of disordered thinking and too much possibility. It teaches the dramatic structure that is the basic underpinning of most successful commercial fiction. Yet, because this is a self-guided journey, it's entirely flexible. You're still the one in charge of your plot. You decide how complex your story will be. You decide how much planning to do before you sit down to write. But any time you get stuck, you can always go back to it for help. This is a method that works for writing any kind of fiction. Whether your genre of choice is romance, science fiction, thriller, adventure, or any of dozens of others, popular commercial fiction of all types shares a common structure. I want to show you how to use that to build your own stories, so you never get lost in the middle again. Along the way, I'm going to teach you some of the best things I've learned from years of studying fiction, studying the best books on writing, writing my own books, and editing unpublished fiction. I've thrown out the filler so I can give you just the information you really need to get started right now. Maybe you're a complete beginner. Maybe you're a hobbyist looking for a way to win NaNoWriMo this year. Maybe you're a published author looking for a way to become more efficient, because you're tired to throwing out half of your first draft and writing it all over again. Whatever your level in the novel writing game, The Story Toolkit will give you a method for creating compelling stories readers and publishers long to buy.

This is a revised second edition of what was originallytitled Warrior Writer. Write It Forward is a one-of-a-kind book focusing on you, the author. In Write It Forward Bob Mayer applies the time-tested strategies of the Green Berets to the world of beinga successful author. He has taught thousands of writers overthe years, but this new and innovative program probes deeperthan words on the page. It is designed to teach writers howto think, plan and become the future best-sellers of the newage of publishing. The benefits you'll gain from this bookwill extend far beyond your writing and reach into all areasof your life making dreams a reality."I have always loved how your programs delved deeply intothe pyschological models you need to developcharacters. No you are using that to develop people."Co-Creeator of the Chicken Soup Books Jack Canfield"Whatever Bob Mayer has to tell us about writing is somethingwe should know. His Toolkit proves an invaluable resource forbeginning and seasoned writers alike. Don't miss out."#1 NY Times best-selling author Terry Brooks"Bob Mayer is a gifted writer and a generous teacher."#1 NY Times best-selling author Susan Wiggs

Don’t let simple mistakes ruin your book’s chances! If you’re not getting published, you may suffer from foggy writing—writing that’s full of unnecessary, misused, and overused words. Foggy writing drives editors crazy, and it’s the number one reason most manuscripts are rejected on first glance. Let veteran editor Don McNair show you how to clear up your foggy writing and produce sparkling copy that will attract agents, editors, readers, and sales. Editor-Proof Your Writing will show you how to avoid fatal writing mistakes by eliminating unnecessary words—and in the process you’ll strengthen your book’s action, invigorate your dialogue, and make your writing crackle with life. Containing 21 simple, straightforward principles, Editor-Proof Your Writing teaches how to edit weak verb forms, strip away author intrusions, ban redundancies, eliminate foggy phrases, correct passive-voice sentences, slash misused and overused words, and fix other writing mistakes. A must-have addition to every writer’s toolkit, Editor-Proof Your Writing won’t just make your writing clearer; it will make you a better writer — more expressive, more entertaining, and more likely to sell.

Strategies and Tactics for the Master Novelist Successfully starting and finishing a publishable novel is often like fighting a series of battles. You not only have to work hard to shape memorable characters, develop gripping plots, and craft dazzling dialogue, but you also have to fight against self-doubts and fears. And then there's the challenge of learning to navigate the ever-changing publishing industry. That's why best-selling novelist James Scott Bell, author of the Write Great Fiction staples Plot & Structure and Revision & Self-Editing, came up with the ultimate novel-writing battle plan: The Art of War for Writers. You'll find tactics and strategies for idea generation and development, character building, plotting, drafting, querying and submitting, dealing with rejection, coping with unrealistic expectations, and much more. With timeless, innovative, and concise writing reflections and techniques, The Art of War for Writers is your roadmap to victory.

Blake discusses ways to simplify and streamline your business to cut out bottlenecks and focus on what matters.

Learn the secret of how to write the heart of your story! This writing skills book, full of fiction writing technique, is like no other. Some novelists write with the goal of becoming a best seller, hoping for wealth and fame. Some just want to write novels that earn them a steady income so they can feed their families and pay their bills. Some write to express their creativity and don't care if anyone ever reads their books. Then there are the other writers. They want to write an unforgettable novel-the kind of book that gets called a classic, that endures the ravages of time, that stays long in readers' hearts and changes their lives. These writers want to know the secret of how to reach the heart of their readers. If you are one of those writers, Writing the Heart of Your Story is the book you've been waiting for. Inside, you'll learn: what the most important key elements are that must be in the very first scene of your novel-and some in the first paragraph. how to tap into the heart of your story, characters, setting, plot, and themes by employing specific writing exercises. ways to brainstorm ideas for plot, themes, motifs, setting, and rich characters through asking a series of questions that will take you deeper below the surface of your story. what the most important question is that must be asked in the opening scene in order to write an unforgettable novel. what three things each character must be asked for them to become truly believable and compelling. the secrets to structuring powerful scenes by focusing on the "high moment." Don't just write a good novel. Write a great one-by mining the heart of your story! Here's what the best writing instructors and bloggers have to say about this essential writing craft book: "A fresh and motivating take on conventional wisdom, but with unconventional heart. This is highly accessible teaching that transcends 'how to' and goes deep into 'why to' in a way that will force you to choose between reading it again and jumping on your own project. Bravo." -Larry Brooks, best-selling author of Story Engineering and Story Physics "As authors, our job is to make people feel, and to do this we need to connect with our own deepest selves in the hope that we can meet the reader where they are. This book will teach you how to delve into your own heart in order to impact those who read your words." -Joanna Penn, author of From Idea to Book "A veritable compendium of sound writing advice and technique. Written in a style that is both accessible and fun, Lakin's book will be a welcome companion on your writing journey." -James Scott Bell, best-selling author of Conflict and Suspense and Plot and Structure "I read dozens of writing craft books every year. All too many of them are ho-hum, been-there-done-that. This one is absotively posolutely not. Lakin offers a refreshingly structured-and yet freeing-approach to not just creating a solidly entertaining story but to crafting a tale of emotional resonance and resilience. Her useful writing exercises and spot-on story sense offer epiphany after epiphany. This is one I will read and reread." -K. M. Weiland, author of Outlining Your Novel and Structuring Your Novel "C. S. Lakin once again shares her generous heart and knowledge and experience with writers in this inspiring and inspired Writing the Heart of Your Story. Ready to take your writing to the next level? Lakin offers practical exercises to help you bring heart to your own stories." -Martha Alderson, author of The Plot Whisperer series of writing books