Customer Reviews

Get That Novel Started! (And Keep It Going 'til You Finish)

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I have had a story brewing in my mind for a long time. Also, from the time I was very young I knew I wanted to write. I didn't have enough confidence to do so ... until now.

Donna Levin approaches the subject with humor, but also is very practical with her approach. One thing I like about her approach as well is that she maintains an upbeat attitude throughout the book. The other cool thing is that she includes anecdotes about other famous writers and their insecurities and ultimate success.

I read 1/3 of the book and promptly jumped up and started writing my book. Now I have three chapters written. I never dreamt I would ever get even that far! This book filled me with inspiration and hope. If you want to write as well, you should buy this book!!

I have been working on a novel for about a year now, and in that time have read about 15 books on the subject of novel writing. This book is one of the top 3 best books of have read on the subject, thus far.

Levin is an inspiring writer with a great sense of humor and the ability to address all of the unspoken fears of the first-time novelist, especially lack of confidence. Because I had already started my novel, I wasn't sure if this book would be as helpful for me as some of the others I have read on writing, but I was completely wrong. Levin helped me turn a major corner with my novel by suggesting a shift in point-of-view when you are feeling stymied with a character (which I was), and she helped me see the benefit of writing almost every day for a shorter amount of time, rather than trying to write for 5 or 6 hours just twice a week, as I was doing before.

Levin's book will help you figure out what you want to write, how you want to write it, and how to get it on the page. And, for down-the-road, she will help you overcome the paralysis that afflicts so many writers as they round the corner of their first draft and find themselves bored and restless with their work.

If you need encouragement, inspiration and sound advice from someone who knows what she is talking about, buy this book now!

I am amazed at the way Levin's book helps to get started. I've started and found the process fun and fulfilling. I never thought I could do it. But I am. Thanks Donna.

This is actually my second copy of Get That Novel Started. I first bought this book in 1993 and its very practical, down to earth advice helped me to start and eventually finish a 200+ word romantic suspense novel, Sunday At Seven. The process took almost three years, but thanks to the exercises and the helpful tips, I didn't get bogged down in the middle with no idea what to do next. Nor did I worry about what my mother or my pastor or my old English teacher would think. Because Donna Levin's approach to character development, I didn't find myself with a blond haired villian on page 20 who somehow shifted to a red head on page 50 and was bald by the finale.

In the end, I DID get a novel finished, something I had never managed before, despite many other books and magazines and classes that I'd tried. Even more, writing my own book turned out to be one of the best experiences I'd ever had.

Sunday at Seven

When people said, "Oh, I wish I could write a book," I advised them to read this book. In fact, I loaned my copy to so many other would-be writers that somehow it was lost. While I hated losing it, I like to think there may be more new novels out there as a result on its being passed along.

In any case, now that I have another copy, I'm going to read it once more, hoping to get that SECCOND novel started--and keep it going until I finish.

Good luck to you!