Writing a Novel (Teach Yourself Series) [Paperback]

Nigel Watts (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0844231061 | ISBN-13: 978-0844231068 | Publication Date: July 1996

Now with a sharp new cover, Teach Yourself Writing a Novel helps readers follow the paths of Austin and Hemingway. The author takes them step-by-step through the writing process, from the germination of an idea to the actual writing, and from finding an agent to contacting publishers. Also includes exercises to help develop the reader's own writing skills and tips to relieve writer's block.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[an] excellent book for beginners" -- Writing Magazine - Jun/Jul 2003 issue 20030512 "A well-structured guide...packed with valuable tips, hints and writing exercises... An excellent tutorial" -- The New Writer - May/June 2003 20030514 "a must-read" -- the good book guide 20030514 "This should be a very useful book for those aspiring writers to whom it is addressed." -- PD James 20030514 "Writing a novel is hard, but writing about how to write one is even harder. A book so full of technical advice as this one runs a risk of limiting the imagination; but Nigel Watts avoids that trap, giving the would-be novelist a licence to write with his or her own unique voice." -- DM Thomas 20030514 "There are so many aspects of the text that I applaud, that it's difficult to pick out any single passage..." -- Elizabeth North 20030514 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Nigel Watts PhD in Creative and Critical Writing, taught from 1989, the year in which he published his first award-winning novel, The Life Game.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 179 pages
• Publisher: Teach Yourself (July 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844231061
• ISBN-13: 978-0844231068
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Guide on Writing & Getting Published, June 12, 2000

By 

Prof David T Wright (Vancouver, BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing a Novel (Teach Yourself Series) (Paperback)

Written by an award-winning international novelist and professional educator, the content matches the title- some structure & tools for the creative task of writing quality novels (and other documents) and getting them published.

Action-packed concise, attractive chapters address: introduction, beginning, plot, the eight-point arc (e.g. stasis, trigger, quest, surprise, critical choice, climax, reversal, and resolution), sub-plot and symbolism, character, dialogue, viewpoint, setting the scene, style, theme, editing and shaping, the personality of the writer, support, and marketing.

This book facilitates better creative writing & editing- offering tools often embedded deeply in much lengthier courses or books. An improvement could be to include a chapter on web-publishing.

Overall, highly recommended for use as a thoughtful and deep working book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-balanced., September 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Writing a Novel (Teach Yourself Series) (Paperback)

Often I'm afraid that books of this nature will focus too much on the "mechanics" of writing. That it will lack soul and somehow detract from my own creativity or individuality. This book DOES NOT do that. It balances well between concrete guidelines for constructing plot, theme and character and abstract "artisitc" advice. The chapters are short and concise, wasting no time in delivering to you the information that you might be looking for. I highly recomend it.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent help for the novelist, May 31, 2001

By 

Rehoboth Reader (Rehoboth Beach, DE United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Writing a Novel (Teach Yourself Series) (Paperback)

This book is NOT written to inspire you to write a novel. Its purpose is to provide help for people already inspired. Nigel Watts has included excellent tips and examples and "how-to" advice for just about any question one might have. It's a friendly, helpful, wonderful book and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a book like this.