Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing: A Novelist Looks at His Craft [Hardcover]

David Morrell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2002

Best-selling novelist David Morrell provides insights and advice learned during 30 years of writing and selling novels - insider secrets that are sure to help writers achieve the next level of literary success, whether they're just beginning or already published! With captivating anecdotes and thoughtful discussion, Morrell explores the basics of the writing craft, from structure and character to dialogue and style, allowing readers to look, first-hand, into the mind of an internationally known best-selling novelist. He also examines how to get published, the business of writing and translating fiction into film.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Distinctions are often made between writers of "literature" and writers of popular fiction. The two seem to come together in David Morrell, author of Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing. Morrell writes thrillers--lots of them--including First Blood, which gave the world Rambo. But Morrell was also a longtime literature professor. He is as likely to quote E.M. Forster as he is Lawrence Block; Steve McQueen appears on the same page as Henry James. Lessons is a lovely examination of writing and the writing life. To read it is to put oneself in the company of a writerly raconteur. Toward the beginning of the book, he discusses Hemingway's bizarre upbringing, wartime experiences, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Toward the end, he reveals the secret to bribing the dispatchers and drivers who supply airport bookstores (a hint rarely, if ever before, reported in a writing book). With chapters devoted to plot, character, research, structure, viewpoint, and dialogue, Morrell covers all the basics. But this is less a how-to book than a written rendition of an intimate university writing workshop. "There are no inferior types of fiction," Morrell implores, "only inferior practitioners of them." --Jane Steinberg

From Publishers Weekly

In this literate, encouraging how-to, the bestselling author of First Blood and The Brotherhood of the Rose (among 15 other novels, as well as some nonfiction, stories and scripts the two named made it to the screen) offers would-be writers advice on plot, character, structure and beyond. With blurbs from Peter Straub and Dean Koontz, Morrell's foray into the literary do-it-yourself field is sure to grab the attention of readers who want to write their own thriller, but there's food here for any hopeful scribe, whether it be a delicious skewering of former Paramount Productions head Don Simpson (said to have coined the term "high concept") or a reflection on E.M. Forster's assessment that all good plots are mysteries. And because Morrell is an avid reader and a former English literature professor, the textual examples he employs Hemingway's descriptions, Twain's dialects are rich and varied. Write because you have to; remember that characters need to control plot and that description must "serve the requirements of your story"; don't get discouraged when you fail; and send to editors whose tastes runs toward your kind of fiction: these are a few examples of Morrell's advice. So it's not earth-shattering but it is careful and thoughtful, and at times, inspirational.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 243 pages
• Publisher: Writer's Digest Books (March 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582971439
• ISBN-13: 978-1582971438
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #769,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth taking the time to read, May 16, 2004

By 

Meryl K. Evans "Content Maven behind meryl.net" (Plano, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing: A Novelist Looks at His Craft (Hardcover)

David Morrell's name may not sound familiar, but his works should spark recognition. Rambo. Brotherhood of the Rose. If you haven't read them, you may have seen or heard of the Rambo movies or TV miniseries. Who can forget Sylvester Stallone as Rambo in his black headband with his exposed sweaty muscular chest holding a machine gun with fury?

Impressive background aside, the knowledge that Morrell imparts is educational and constructive. He tells the story of the writer, Sterling Silliphant of Route 66, who influenced Morrell's career in writing. A story like that sounds dull, but Morrell tells it in a simple and gripping way like the rest of the book.

Morrell provides lessons on literary techniques: plots, structure, and voice. His technique of talking to himself and questioning every aspect of a story is a remarkably easy way to ensure the words and story have purpose.

Most writers don't have time to go to a writer's conference or take a class. This book is a class in itself without the annoying "how to" style of writing. I read this book over a period of several months, absorbing one chapter at a time. Reading it slowly was like getting a mini-lesson each reading session.

Not only does he offers tips on smarter dialogue and overcoming writer's block, but he also talks about the business of writing and what to do when a book is published. "Getting Published and the Business of Writing" alone is worth the price of the book. Every writer who publishes a book will benefit from this chapter.

Whether or not one is interested in screenwriting, the chapter on movies is a humorous adventure as Morrell dives into the red tape-like process for getting Hollywood to bring a book alive on the silver screen. Think writers whose books get Hollwoodified are rich? Think again as Morrell walks through the steps of where all the money goes and it ain't in the writer's pocket.

The genre of Rambo movies isn't my thing, but I'm Morrell's fan after spending time with this book. He's inspiring.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and entertaining., December 5, 2003

By 

Henry W. Wagner (Rockaway, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing: A Novelist Looks at His Craft (Paperback)

Anyone who's spoken at length with David Morrell knows him to be
insightful, and seldom lacking for amusing anecdotes. The engaging former professor is a learned man, eager to impart the benefits of his considerable wealth of knowledge and experience to those who are interested.

In keeping with his reflective nature and his instinctive desire to educate, Morrell has penned a useful and entertaining combination memoir and self help book called LESSONS FROM A LIFETIME OF WRITING: A NOVELIST LOOKS AT HIS CRAFT. In its pages, Morrell taps four decades of writing experience for the benefit of aspiring writers. He thoroughly explores both
the act and the business of writing, methodically covering the basics of everything from plot construction to contract negotiation. Morrell truly believes that there is no such thing as a stupid question, as he painstakingly answers many inquiries that most writers impatiently dismiss out of hand. A good example is the oft asked, "Where do you get your ideas?" a question that seems to cause many writers physical pain. Always
the patient educator, Morrell takes the question seriously, detailing the method by which he transforms a kernel of an idea into an engrossing plot.

It's this attitude that distinguishes LESSONS from other writing guides, making this user-friendly tome an invaluable addition to anyone's library. Not so much a "How To" as it is a "How I" book, it provides insights into a working writer's mind and habits, showing how one author tackles problems and overcomes challenges. There is great inspiration and encouragement here for practicing writers and plenty of intriguing particulars for those who are merely fascinated by the writing process.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Writers Old and New, May 24, 2002

By 

Tamara Thorne (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing: A Novelist Looks at His Craft (Hardcover)

I've been a published novelist for over a decade and David Morrell's book still managed to teach me things I didn't know about my craft. His style is personable, his anecdotes delightful, and his insight and instruction invaluable to anyone interested in writing and publishing. He boldly and bluntly begins by addressing the big question: WHY do you want to be a writer? Answer that one correctly, then get to work with the help of this terrific book.