Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Originally, I checked this book out from the library. I liked it so much I am now buying it to keep on hand. The first few chapters not only inspire but "show" the reader how to stay focused. I especially like the realistic explanation on submitting a manuscript - this should be required reading for anyone who wants to be published. There is alot of information packed into this little book, yet it doesn't read like a college text.

Bob Mayer's book is a great start for writing a novel. I review it before I write a novel to remind myself of the traits I need to follow and refer back to it when I'm stuck on a scene that just doesn't sound right. It is a powerful reminder of what works if/when you lose your way. Mayers includes topics on characteristics of a writer, tools for day-to-day writing (fairly trite, though i enjoy the entire atmosphere of writing so it was fun to read), what to write, preparation for writing, elements of the story (narrative structure, plot, pacing, etc.), technique (characters, POV, dialogue, setting, subplots). His final chapters on the business end of writing include the submission (process, rejections, agents), your business and the future (ebooks).

He has helpful sample outlines, sample cover letter and synopsis. He also includes a nice sample story grid and plot line.

Overall, he covers the mechanics of writing in less than 135 pages and the business parts in less than seventy pages. That makes it a quick read, and an enjoyable one as it doesn't linger anywhere too long to be boring. Therein lies its shortfall. Nothing is very detailed. For example, there aren't specifics on creating good dialogue or narrative. As a result, it is one of about fifteen books I keep to provide a solid reference on how to perform my art to its best.

I gave this book only three stars because of its title: The Novel Writer's Toolkit: A guide to writing great fiction and getting it published. Often, writing a great novel and getting published are mutually exclusive. Daniel Silva does both with his character Gabriel Allon, but often, publishable books are selected for reasons more temporary than quality of writing, i.e., a popular topic.

This book defines every problem every fiction writer has ever had and addresses remedies. Bob Mayer knows his stuff. This book is personable, easy to read, and ought to be on every writer's bookshelf.

"The Novel Writer's Toolkit" covers many areas of the writing profession with some aspects of foresightedness as to the publishing industry. Basically, a book for beginners with firm instructions on character development, plot construction, staying on task Mr. Mayer sticks to the fundamentals without floating off into abstraction, which may or may not apply. He is a craftsman and he doesn't try to overwhelm the reader with flights into retrospection.
Chapter 10 -- Your Future is a hard look at the industry as it evolves in the 21st century. Books, distribution, format, every aspect of publishing is surveyed as to what a young author may encounter. We particularly enjoyed his forecast for POD publishing because an August issue of the American Library Associations' e-Newsletter had a picture of the machine he envisioned on page 219, in operation at a branch of the New York Public Library four years after "ToolKit" was published. He was right on target.
Nash Black, author of "Authors as a Small Business."

Bob's book, The Novel Writers Toolkit, is a must for all writers. We use it as a teaching tool at the Maui Writers Retreat and Conference. Bob is an excellent teacher and knows his writing craft. He is also very dedicated to his students. We are fortunate to have a teacher at the Retreat who really cares about other writers and is willing to share his knowledge. He's also a very likeable fellow! Check out his book, I think you'll love it!

Shannon Tullius

The business of writing fiction is tough and Bob Mayer tells it like it is. This is a no-nonsense guide to every step of the creative process of writing a novel and the business process of getting it on the stands. The first time through, I highlighted so much of the book that there isn't much left to mark. I bought the book for myself, because I want to sell. Now, I'm buying copies for my writer friends, because I want them to get acquainted with someone who knows how to get a book written and sold. This one is a gem, and I would recommend it to any aspiring writer.

Good book. My writing instructor recommended it to us and it's more than everything nice she had to say about it.