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Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Why would we wish to read about characters whom we do not like?..." (more)
Key Phrases: gut emotional appeal, breakout fiction, breakout novel, Miss Julia, New York, Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook (more...)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
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Product Description

This powerful book builds on the success of it predecessor-Writing the Breakout Novel-and takes readers to the next level: improving their work with practical, hands-on lessons and exercises.

With patented techniques from his popular writing workshops, Donald Maass shows fiction writers exactly how to make their work stand out from the crowd. Readers will learn how to strengthen any novel-in-progress, with sections on: - Building Plot Layers - Creating Inner Conflict - Strengthening Point of View and Voice - Discovering Larger Than Life Character Qualities - Developing the Psychology of Place

Every workbook exercise is followed by examples from real-life breakout novels. This is one of the most accessible novel-writing guides available today.



About the Author

Donald Maass is a powerful force in the New York book community. As the president and founder of the Donald Maass Literary Agency, he sells more than 100 novels a year, teaches writing workshops across the country, and is a celebrated author in his own right. His personal writing credits include 14 novels (published under pseudonyms), The Career Novelist and Writing the Breakout Novel. Donald lives in New York City.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Writers Digest Books (June 14, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 158297263X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1582972633
  • Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #79,700 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Donald Maass
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
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Why would we wish to read about characters whom we do not like? Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
gut emotional appeal, breakout fiction, breakout novel, bridging conflict, plot layers, inner turning points, current manuscript, public stakes, current novel, literary novel, red tent
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Miss Julia, New York, Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook, South Carolina, The Ghost, Anita Blake, Crystal City, Gossip Girl, Nathan Price, Sheila Rogers, Three Oaks, Joe Morelli, Northern Union, Salem Falls, Sullivan's Island, Artemis Fowl, Carolina Moon, Dave Boyle, Dennis Lehane, Hattie Durham, Katie Marcus, Nora Roberts, Pastor Ledbetter, Richard Russo, Sam Murdoch
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Customer Reviews

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97 of 101 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars One or the other, but not both, April 17, 2005
By TheCafeWriter (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)      
If you have "Writing the Breakout Novel," you don't really need the workbook. If you don't, this might be enough. It condenses "Writing the Breakout Novel." Each chapter deals with a topic (such as Exposition or Characterization) with some "workbook" pages at the end of each. The workbook exercises are basically questions with blanks (as opposed to charts or tables), which could just as easily be accommodated at the end of any book.

You certainly don't need both books. In either case, neither book will take you from idea to finished product. More accurately, both expect that you at least already have a work-in-progress, so an accurate title would be "REVISING the Breakout Novel."

I bought both books and I would suggest only one or the other. If you want some in-depth on topics, buy the book. If you want just the essence and a few questions for thought, buy the workbook.
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56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Some valuable nuggets of advice!, November 8, 2004
Donald Maass is a New York literary agent who seems to spend as much time promoting himself as he does his clients. Maass also does workshops on novel writing throughout the country, and this book, a companion publication for the more-in-depth WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL, incorporates some of the exercises he assigns during those workshops.

I have read dozens of writing books over the years; just about always I glean some valuable nuggets from each of them. Maass's workbook is no different. For instance, he suggests that the beginning novelist put off back story as long as possible to add tension and suspense. Maass stresses THERE CAN'T BE TOO MUCH TENSION in a novel. He suggests the writer add tension on every page!

Another segment I found useful was his section on plot development. He recommends using layers and subplots to add texture and believability to your work. Subplots are plot lines given to characters other than the protagonist; layers are additonal plot lines given to the main character. He uses Mystic River as an example. Sean Devine is a homicide cop who must investigate the murder of his boyhood friend Jimmy Marcus's daughter; his wife has also left him, taking their baby daughter with her; he also flashes back to the day when the principal suspect, Dave Boyle, was kidnapped by child molesters while he and Jimmy stood by and watched.

Maass reinforces his advice by furnishing a sample outline in an appendix. He insists that every novelist, whether he uses an outline in actual practice or not, must provide one for a possible agent or film producer eventually anyway, so he might as well learn how to do one.

Beginning writers should understand that writers never quit learning and that they should continually practice their craft. Baseball players and piano players practice continually, why not novelists? WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WORKBOOK will help you practice and head off possible mistakes.
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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Not the same as the Breakout book, March 13, 2007
By Reader (California) - See all my reviews
Since he published Writing the Breakout Novel in 2001, Maass has taught a seminar of the same name at many writers conferences, and naturally learned from these experiences. The original book is here expanded by nearly three dozen exercises, which seem quite sensible, not hokey as are some by other teachers I've read.

I own the Breakout book and just now am comparing the workbook that I checked out of the local library. They're not the same, not by a long shot, despite what one reviewer here says. Though many sections have identical headers (such as Inner Conflict), they are completely rewritten, using different examples. The original book is 259 pages of 6x9, the workbook is 230 pp. of 8-1/2x11 format, thus it is by no means a condensation as TheCafeWriter asserts, and the original book is not necessarily more "in-depth." Some sections are, some aren't. The structure is substantially rearranged. Yet the concepts and the really fundamental points -- keep your story charged with tension, and so on -- do remain identical. These are essentially two complementary treatments of the same material by the same author

Maass asks his seminar participants to bring their in-process novels to perform exercises on, so the workbook is particularly useful if you are well into writing a novel already. With the discipline of the exercises, Maass teaches you to be your own draft doctor.

For me, there appear to be easily enough new perspectives and ideas here to warrant buying the workbook even though I have read the original and have it on my bookshelf.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Dynamic Duo
I have read through the book once and am beginning my second time through using a highlighter. This dynamic duo of text and workbook make a great start to a writing career.
Published 1 month ago by James C. Boyer

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than the original.
Covers the same topics as the non-workbook version, but is more condensed and clear. The exercises help the reader to apply the content directly to a work in progress, showing... Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. Candy

5.0 out of 5 stars my first maas book - great read!
I did not read the companion book "Writing the Breakout Novel"; I only read this workbook version and it was terrific! Read more
Published 7 months ago by M. Cherveny

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful guide for aspiring novelists
I purchased this workbook because I wanted something reader-friendly, with useful, relevant advice and exercises that I could benefit from immediately. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Diane Gallant

4.0 out of 5 stars A Helpful Addition
This book is not just its companion volume in workbook form. This was written four years after publishing Writing The Breakout Novel, and after extensive workshop tours. Read more
Published 17 months ago by triple0triple1

5.0 out of 5 stars I use this more than the actual book
I have both workbook and book. I use this when I'm plotting or replotting a book. I find the exercises make me think hard about my stories and bring out my creativity. Read more
Published on October 7, 2007 by Lehcarjt

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful!
I finally bought this book after rechecking it from the library several times. I love the challanges presented and the advice given. Read more
Published on August 24, 2007 by Celeste

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Hands On Exercises
This book is most beneficial to writers who have already completed the first drafts of their manuscripts. Read more
Published on August 13, 2006 by M. Dwyer

3.0 out of 5 stars It's good, but...
Maass has created a good workbook with some nifty ways to come up with information. He's also included some material that's new, especially in terms of how to put together plots... Read more
Published on March 31, 2006 by Gerri Lynn Baxter

5.0 out of 5 stars Some helpful guidelines for your writing
I am currently only half way through this book, but I am already learning from this book. It gives you some good things to work with. Read more
Published on July 21, 2005 by J. Hammer

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