From Booklist
Morris, a highly acclaimed Christian author, illustrates the art of developing the three basic elements of novel writing: plot, character, and setting. In well-defined terms, with a collection of examples from his own published novels, Morris guides the aspiring novelist in constructing a plot, deciding on point of view, writing dialogue, and developing character and setting. He concludes each chapter with helpful exercises to develop the skills just taught. His final chapter details the steps of marketing, including formatting manuscripts and surviving rejection. Most of the suggestions in this book would apply to writing any novel, so why does Morris specify Christian novel writing? He feels that because many Christian novelists paint their characters as flawless saints, there is a need for writers who want to create wholesome books and provide realistic entertainment. Writing for enjoyment, monetary rewards, and recognition are all worthwhile goals, but as a Christian novelist, Morris wants his work to make a positive, moral impact on readers. He believes that talent combined with tenacity contains the ingredients for successful writing. Highly recommended as a practical resource for aspiring writers. Patty O'Connell
