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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great resource for writers, October 13, 2008
This review is from: From First Draft To Finished Novel: A Writer's Guide To Cohesive Story Building (Paperback)
Karen Wiesner is a prolific author! She's written 56 fiction and nonfiction books in the past ten years and has eleven more titles in the works. She's been nominated for or won sixty-eight awards. Her book, First Draft in 30 Days, is a bestseller.
From that first idea to the finished product, Karen Wiesner helps writers write the novel they've always wanted to write. Wiesner believes writing a novel is much like building a house and uses the analogy to help the reader visualize the process.
Wiesner will help the reader/writer:
* brainstorm the novel idea
* with the research process
* create a solid working outline for the story
* create a story checklist that will help you remember those necessary details
* write a cohesive first draft of the novel
* with the revisions
* finish the final editing and polishing of the novel
Wiesner delves into the workings of writing the novel and also helps with the necessary and often dreaded query letter, synopsis, cover letter and partial manuscript to be sent to the agent or editor.
From First Draft to Finished Novel is a wonderful addition to the writer's reference library Wiesner makes things as easy as possible for the reader. She includes a glossary of terms, story plan checklist exercises, editing and polishing exercises and various worksheets. Her writing is concise and easily understood, even for the novice writer.
The book is laid out in a readable manner and includes information and directions to help move along the writing process. Not everyone will use everything Wiesner puts forth, but that's not the idea. The information is offered and can be used if it's wanted or needed.
My only criticism is the repeated comparison of writing a novel to building a house. I found it distracting and interfered with my reading/studying of the book.
Armchair Interviews says: Want to write a novel? From First Draft to Finished Novel would be a good reference source in helping you with that dream.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great! Great! Great! Perfect to use with First Draft in 30 Days, October 7, 2008
This review is from: From First Draft To Finished Novel: A Writer's Guide To Cohesive Story Building (Paperback)
I read this book and 'First Draft in 30 Days'. They're not set up to require you to buy both, but they compliment each other very well. I got just as much helpful info from each book, not repeats like I've found from other 'series'.
I can't say enough good things about this book. I can now figure out where my issues are in each MS, prop up the middles and get them cohesive. While I may have been able to eventually get published with out the help of these books, I don't think it would have happened any time soon.
At first glance, her method looks a bit complicated. But after reading the book all the way through, and starting at the beginning, It is rather very simple.
There are some things I use (99%) while I discard the items that don't work for me.
As for typing in the worksheets into Word myself, It took me about a half an hour. I typed them up once(customized to my tastes), as master copies, and now I'll be able to use them for any book I decide to write.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Where has this book been?, June 25, 2011
This review is from: From First Draft To Finished Novel: A Writer's Guide To Cohesive Story Building (Paperback)
I was stuck in a major rut. I did some of the creative writing exercises, knew my plot, had a vague idea of characters, etc., but I still could not get past the blah, blah, blah of most writing books. This book does not go into all of that. It gives you very practical advice to PLAN FOR YOUR WRITING SUCCESS.
It does not take a rocket scientist. I never thought that checklists and organization tips could be so inspiring, but the more information I compile in my writing notebook, the more tangible result I can see. It's absolutely infectious enthusiasm which has already carried me through more than 5,000 words. Plus, by the time I get done reading a portion of this book, I am ready to depart on some totally relaxed writing exercises.
If you are looking for a book to tell you about characters or plot, then look elsewhere. This book guides you to an acquaintance with intimate details of your character which you didn't know existed. It may not make your writing artistic, but it will make your ideas clearer. It is an excellent power-up for beginning book writers (like me) who are just a little overwhelmed by a feeling of inadequacy or by what appears to be a lack of progress.
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