Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This book is fun, informative and refreshingly to-the-point. His chapter on "reading to write" is the most varied and comprehensive I've seen, discussing the value of all kinds of fiction and nonfiction reading, including literary criticism, book reviews - even bad novels. (Also see the chapter on "other sources of help" where he talks about books on writing.)

This book is very comprehensive with chapters on ideas, process (as in "getting it done"), fiction elements (plots, characterization, setting, etc), revision, grammar, publication, and writing as a business.

Unlike a lot of books on this subject, the writing style is humorous and candid, in everyday language as if you were sitting down at a writer's conference to talk one-on-one. Best of all, he distills important points to their essence so they can be quickly absorbed and remembered.

If it's your heart's desire to write a novel, this book could be the only one you'll ever need. At the very least, I'd suggest buying and reading this book before you buy any others on writing. You may find you don't need them.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel
by Thomas Monteleone

I will not go so far as to refer to this as "great" or call it some kind of a "triumph"; but it is an excellent reference as well as an outline for success.

It contains all the ordinary material such as one might hope to find.
It discusses ABILITY, the art of STORYTELLING, the TOUGHNESS & DETERMINATION necessary, and the ADVENTUROUS ATTITUDE that leads to progress. The book invites you to examine CREATIVITY, inviting you to discover your own implicit ideas and make them explicit. It encourages you to do new things, like travel, to acquire learning experiences and to spark your own imagination.

TCIGTWN introduces the idea of the writing GENRE, and encourages aspiring novelists to understand history, at least in the context of bestselling novels, so as to become familiar with what people enjoy reading about.

PLOT, CHARACTERS, SCENE DESCRIPTION, SETTING, DIALOGUE, TRANSITION, PACING, etc etc. All of these things are introduced. I remind myself that there is not only a single good book on writing. There are many good ones, and many of the same topics are covered. In fact, when I searched the bookshelves I found only three of about twenty five that seemed worth buying. I bought three, and this was one of them. This one is adequate, and there is just so much good material to produce an inspired novelist. I really enjoy the preponderance of information contained herein. Besides, I qualify for this book.

I read the reviews and opinions offered on the validity of this guide and I can say only this... Tom Monteleone knows what he is talking about. In a powerful presentation, both from the point of view of a successful novelist and the culmination of years of practical knowledge properly applied to his own and the careers of others, this book is invaluable. I fall into the category of the "others". I have followed Tom's advice and through hard work, I have published my first hardcover novel, released this fall, 2004. I can only encourage the serious writers out there. If you want to create a writing career, Tom's Idiot's Guide is the light to help guide you down the dark paths of the publishing world. Fellow writers buy this book and start walking.

I probably picked up six or seven books on writing a novel one day in the bookstore. This book happened to be on top, and after reading the first few pages, I happily set it aside and began picking through the others...

Half an hour later, this was the only book in my "To Buy" stack.

Maybe the author spoiled me by injecting a sense of humor into what so many others seem to regard as drudgery. Writing is fun! I don't want to learn about it from a textbook. Tom even makes the chapter about grammar enjoyable - a Herculean feat!

There are also several questions answered in this book that I would have never thought to ask, and Tom offers valuable insight from someone who's been through the process of writing a novel several times. I would venture that most people interested in this book have never published a novel, and there is a great deal of information provided about what happens after "The End."

As for the negative reviews already posted, you simply must notice the common thread that they all didn't appreciate the author's sense of humor. I get the feeling these are the same kinds of people who think it's inappropriate to laugh out loud. I just couldn't disagree more with the negative reviews.

An excellent book, to not only help you get started, but also to use as a resource throughout the entire process of writing your novel.

I have wanted to write a novel for years. A month ago, I sat down, researched the business aspects of the publishing world, then read a few how-to-write books. All of them boring, and I didn't learn anything. This book, is fabulous. Tom writes with so much personality. He himself is a character I imagine! Most importantly, he knows what he's talking about. I love how he tells us certain facts, then gives his personal point of view, whether it be good or bad. He is very honest and this is the only how-to write a novel type of book you will ever need. It touches everything, also--veryimportant, he even points out what other good books to read are, on grammer, etc.... he touches everything and points you in the right direction of learning and how to learn more. I have just ordered some of his novels for I am not only learning from him, I think I'm turning into a fan of his writing which is always a plus. I love to read, and am thrilled that I found another author whose writing talents are above what's currently out there at times.
I do not know this person, this is a real review. Tom, if you read this, please start an online class or something, I would love to get your input on my writing in a classroom structure, I believe writer's digest has this and many others. Plus the publicity would be great for you! Try to do it if you have time, you would be awesome at teaching, and a good instructor is worth everything, especially one who would be honest like yourself.
The personality that comes out in your work is delightful, nonfiction is definitely a great area for you as well as fiction!
Deidre / Arizona

I was very happy with the way this book was organized and presented. Of course, much of the information is available elsewhere . . . . but that is because SOME of it is so universally TRUE. There are certain things you must do if you want to write a novel, and there is no escaping that.

I am surprised at another reviewer finding Monteleone's writing to be condescending--I found it to be very friendly and conversational. Some people may mistake the writer's informal tone for arrogance, but that would be a mistake. This man is warm and oftentimes funny. His anecdotes and personal experiences in the writing business are worth the price of the book alone.

There are so many great pieces of advice here. Don't miss it!

I am an aspiring novelist, so it goes without saying that I was interested in a book which would provide me with an insider's perspective on the ins and outs of the process of writing. I am happy to tell you that if you are looking for the same, you can rest assured you will find what you seek in Tom Monteleone's 'The Complete Idiots Guide To Writing A Novel'. After reading a few of the reviews posted on this website, I have to wonder if the individuals who posted these reviews read the same book that I did, so slanted are their opinions. This book contains - quite literally - the answers to practically any and every question I had concerning the process of writing a novel. From the basics of the proper usage of English, to the essentials of crafting a good plot, and through the business end of getting published, Mr. Monteleone's book is jam-packed with critical information from an experienced novelists' viewpoint. Dispelling the notion that writing instruction must be accompanied by a haughty air of stuffiness, Monteleone's book is written in a direct and down-to-earth style which is a welcome breath of fresh air. The casual style in which this book is written makes the process of writing seem not only accessible, but enjoyable as well. Furthermore, as I read this volume, I felt that not only did Monteleone offer instruction, but that he had a genuine desire to direct the reader to success. To put it plainly, this book is an indispensable asset. I find it difficult to see how you wouldn't benefit from having read it. Do yourself a favor and spend the $12.89. You won't be disappointed.

After reading some of the one-star reviews for this book, I found myself wondering if they and I read the same one. I don't think we did, because I saw absolutely nothing egotistical or self-serving in Mr. Monteleone's delivery. He jumped right into the very well thought-out information and, when appropriate, injected a little something personal into the book. I believe that touch made this particular book stand far above most other 'How to Write' publications. It gave the reader a sense of having a one-on-one chat with a helpful benefactor. That's exactly how I felt.
I suspect that the folks who, without humor, left one and two star reviews are among that class of people who introduce themselves to others, glass of Brandy in hand and nose scraping the ceiling, as an author -me, I write.

After reading bits and pieces of this book from Borders, I decided to order it online. Well, all I can say is that this book was not worth my time and money.

I'll be very honest with you. He does have useful information such as manuscript formatting when submitting it to a publisher, but that's as far as this book goes in terms of being informative.

The attitude of the writer was a definate turn off for me. At first I thought him amusing, but as I kept reading this book I couldn't help feeling that he was being very arrogant and egotistic. In fact, the whole book seems like an ego trip to me. Unlike a lot of writing guide books, Monteleone actually tells us that all writers should aspire to be on the New York Times Best Seller List. Now, throughout the years I have heard of lot of writers and novelists cautioning their creative writing classes about the consequences of "writing for profit." If you make money on the way, that's great. But making money shouldn't be your biggest reason in writing novels or short stories. You should write because you enjoy it. This, I believe, rings true. Of course, everyone has different opinions about how and WHY he/she writes, but Monteleone keeps shoving the Best Seller's List down the reader's throat. He even has a whole chapter dedicated on promoting and marketing your novel (such as radio shows, press release, websites, etc.), but barely touches on the subject of getting an agent. After devoting roughly 30 pages on how to sell your book, he makes a few jokes and remarks about literary agents and then moves on to other topics without telling us where and how we can go about obtaining one. His message is clear: "Making profit should be the writer's ONLY goal."

Also, Monteleone is not shy about showing his disdain towards academics and people who dismiss the so-called "drugstore books" as low-end. He thinks they are cocky and therefore deserves no respect from him (who, by the way, wrote over 20 novels that are out of print). But as far as I am concerned, he is the one who is the arrogant one that belittles the readers of this "How to" book. He has a very strong "it's either my way or no way because other people are all stupid and don't know what they are talking about" idea going throug his book. He lists a bunch of writers who were "the crassest commerical writers of their time" -- Twain, Poe, Dickens, London, Hemingway, etc. But what about writers like Virginia Woolf, D.H. Lawrence, James Joyce and Kafka who were not commercial writers? Monteleone seems to be certain that people will still read Stephen King and Danielle Steel 100 years later.

He also states that he hates people who call themselves "authors" and not "writers" because he finds them (people who prefer to be called "authors") cocky and pretentious. This is one of many examples of Monteleone's arrogance. Again we see the "anyone who does not conform to my rules are stupid and ignorant buffoons" attitude.

One of the absurd rules he strongly suggest that we enforce while writing is "writing three pages a day." I have read other books on creative writing, and although many professional novelists stress the importance of writing steadily everyday, Monteleone is the first one to say that we HAVE TO write three pages a day. His reason for this ridiculous rule? Simple. The faster you write, more books you can sell down the road. The issue of profit-driven writing surfaces again.

Overall, I felt like taking a shower after I read this book. It's more about how to crank out a mediocre novel once a year and doing everything you can to sell it. Although a good portion of the book is about writing itself, Monteleone's emphasis is on marketing rather than techniques or even writing a good, solid novel. I felt more discouraged than anything because of his black/white attitude towards writing.

Monteleone ends his guide to writing with "if you want to tell him how much you enjoyed this book, e-mail him at ~." Even that sounds cocky to me after reading this parade of "I'm so great" book. The whole books just sounds like a HUGE EGO TRIP, nothing more.

I found books by Nancy Kress much more helpful than this one. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel" is one of the worst investments I ever made.

Not only was "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel" full of technically informative advice, it was a really fun read! Tom Monteleone is a gifted wordsmith with a sly sense of humor. My only reservation was thinking I had to admit to being an idiot before making the purchase. (Solved easily by having a family member make the purchase for you.)
This book has helped me immensely. Enjoy!