The Novel Writer?s Toolkit [Paperback]

Bob Mayer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2005

Here's the book writers have been waiting for! Covering every aspect of the creative journey, The Novel Writer's Toolkit shows readers how to: <P>* Develop salable ideas * Set a writing schedule and stick to it * Develop compelling characters and plot * Find an agent or editor who will help publish their work * Understand the submission and publishing process * Write dialogue that sounds real and engaging * Dissect bestsellers in order to discover what makes them work * Turn ideas into stories * Conduct accurate research * Promote their work * Stay alive and inspired through it all <P>Advice is given in a straightforward and usable manner, laying out and examining all of the tools available to writers, from imagination to technology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Susan Wiggs (#1 NY Times best-seller): Bob Mayer is a gifted writer and a generous teacher. Terry Brooks (#1 NY Times best-seller): An invaluable resource for beginning & seasoned writers. Don't miss out. Elizabeth George (NY Times best-seller): Something for every writer. My hat is off to Bob. Chicken Soup Creator Jack Canfield (#1 NY Times best-seller): Your new focus is a great one. I always loved at Maui Writers Conference how your programs delved deeply into the psychological models you need to develop characters. Now you are using that same knowledge to develop people. As we say in California-- way cool! Much love to you my friend, and congratulations on the new book it looks great! --Best-selling author quotes

About the Author

Bob Mayer spent 20 years on active and reserve duty in the infantry and Green Berets. He later went on to become a writer and instructor at the JFK Special Warfare Center & School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He's published 23 books under his own name and several pen names. The books in his Area 51 series, written as Robert Doherty, are consistent USA Today bestsellers. Mayer is also an instructor for the Writer's Digest School, and currently resides on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books (January 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582973202
• ISBN-13: 978-1582973203
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,127,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

NY Times bestselling author Bob Mayer has 40 books published. He has over three million books in print and is in demand as a team-building, life-change, and leadership speaker and consultant. Bob graduated from West Point and served in the military as a Special Forces A-Team leader and a teacher at the JFK Special Warfare Center & School. His latest book is Who Dares Wins: The Green Beret Way to Conquer Fear & Succeed. He teaches novel writing and improving the author via his Write It Forward program. He lives in Airborne Country For more information see www.bobmayer.org

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best, January 16, 2004

By 

S. T. Pratt (Guilderland, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Novel Writer's Toolkit: A Guide to Writing Novels and Getting Published (Hardcover)

Bob Mayer's "The Novel Writer's Toolkit" is probably one of the best novel writing books I've read. Other books I've read have tried to focus too heavily on the technical aspects of writing and not so much on the steps and concepts. What makes this book so easy to read is that everything is broken down into individual "tools" that, when read in order, will walk you through the entire novel writing process from beginning to end.

This book also fufills an excellent role as a reference guide. Since everything is broken down into "tool" sections, it's easy to flip through the book to find what you want to know. Multiple appendices in the rear section of the book will help you outline your story, break down chapters, and assist you in writing cover letters. The index is also fairly useful and extensive.

I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn the process behind writing a novel or wanting to improve their current skills. Mr. Mayer does a superb job.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful book for beginners, but too basic at times, March 28, 2005

By 

AcornMan (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Novel Writer?s Toolkit (Paperback)

As I was reaching about the halfway point in this book I began looking ahead to the review I would write for it and at that time was contemplating just three stars. The reason was that the information up to that point was often so elementary that it was almost not worth reading, i.e. advice about getting a word processor (duh) and some of the tips about writing basics. However, things really picked up from there and I found the second half of the book, which dealt with the subject of getting a book published, to be very helpful and enlightening, if rather discouraging. But as a previous commenter noted, the author doesn't hold any punches and makes no attempt to sugar coat the harsh world of publishing. Personally I'm thankful for his candid observations even if they do paint a bleak picture. If the entire book were as enlightening as the second half I would easily give it five stars, but because of the shortcomings of the first half I'm only willing to give it four. It's definitely worth your time to read this book though, so don't let this criticism deter you from taking a look for yourself.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Write It Your Self, February 21, 2005

By 

Kristina - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Novel Writer's Toolkit: A Guide to Writing Novels and Getting Published (Hardcover)

The Novel Writer's Toolkit: A Guide to Writing Novels and Getting Published

Bob Mayer's "The Novel Writer's Toolkit: A Guide to Writing Novels andGetting Published" is a really great book. This book should be on everyaspiring writer's book shelf. I have been an aspiring writer for the pastsixteen years and I'm really learning from this. Bob Mayer doesn't sugar-coat the business aspects of writing. The other great thing isthat this is an easy-to-read, step-by-step book. Mayer also has awonderful theraputic approach to writing and says that anyone can learnhow to write. It's not some sort of mystical talent people have the day they are born. Mayer also gives charts and grids on how to make your story better.

Mayer doesn't babble on about pointless aspects of writing, like a lot of self-help writing novels do. Mayer really knows his trade and gives great advice. He talks about why and how aspiring writers fail. He also makes you really think about yourself and your needs as an author, wheather or not you're really cut out for the business side of writing. Mayer gives great details about every aspect that should be in a book, from characters to plot points and other things you wouldn't even think about.

The other good point that Mayer makes is how many authors give up because of a lack of patience and frustration. He makes it clear that writing a novel more than likely won't take a day, or just a few months. Most people won't write a novel and complete it except after several years or so. Just think of J.K Rowling. Even she doesn't complete a novel in a year, much less three or five. One of the main points that Mayer makes is to never give up. Try to write every day even if you don't keep what you are writing. This book can be used at any one's level and it's not like another plain college text book.

I truly believe that this book can benefit anyone out there who really wants to take their writing into the next level.