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Janice Hardy

Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure (Foundations of Fiction) Paperback – March 13, 2014

by Janice Hardy (Author)

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Please note: Formerly titled "Planning Your Novel: Ideas and Structure" Do you have a great story idea? Do you want to turn it into a novel?

Award-winning author Janice Hardy (and founder of the popular writing site, Fiction University) takes you step-by-step through plotting and writing a novel with her book Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure. She'll show you how to find and develop ideas, brainstorm stories from that first spark of inspiration to a complete story, develop the right characters, setting, plot, as well as teach you how to identify where your novel fits in the market, and if your idea has what it takes to be a series.

With clear and easy-to-understand examples, Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure offers ten self-guided workshops with more than 100 different exercises to help you craft a solid novel. Each workshop builds upon the other to flesh out your idea as much or as little as you need to start writing (useful for both plotters and pantsers). You'll find multiple options that allow you to find the right process that works for you.

Learn how to:

Create compelling characters readers will love
Choose the right point of view for your story
Determine the conflicts that will drive your plot (and keep readers hooked!)
Find the best writing process for your writing style
Create a solid plot from the spark of your idea

Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure also helps you develop the critical elements for submitting and selling your novel once it's finished. You'll find exercises on how to:

Craft your one-sentence pitch
Create your summary hook blurb (which makes writing query letters and cover copy easier)
Develop a solid working synopsis

Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure is an easy-to-follow guide to planning and writing your novel, or fixing a novel that isn’t quite working. For those who like a hands-on approach with easy-to-use worksheets, a companion guide, Plotting Your Novel Workbook is also available in paperback.

Print length

328 pages
Language

English
Publication date

March 13, 2014
Dimensions

6 x 0.74 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

099153641X
ISBN-13

978-0991536412
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Janice Hardy is the award-winning author of the teen fantasy trilogy TheHealing Wars. Her novels include "The Shifter," "Blue Fire,"and"Darkfall" from Balzer+Bray/Harper Collins. "The Shifter,"was chosenfor the 2014 list of "Ten Books All Young Georgians Should Read" from the Georgia Center for the Book. It was also shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize (2011), and The Truman Award (2011).

Janice is also the founder of Fiction University, a site dedicated to helpingwriters improve their craft. Her popular Foundations of Fiction seriesincludes "Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure," a self-guidedworkshop for plotting a novel, the companion "Plotting Your NovelWorkbook," and the Revising Your Novel: First Draft toFinished Draft series. Her Skill Builders series includes "UnderstandingShow,Don't Tell (And Really Getting It)," and "Understanding Conflict(And What It Really Means)," focusing on common problem areas forwriters.

As J.T. Hardy, she writes fantasy and science fiction for adults. The first book in her Grace Harper series is "Blood Ties."

Janice loves talking with writers and encourages questions of all types - eventhe weird ones. She lives in Central Florida with her husband, two cats,one yard zombie, and a very nervous freshwater eel. You can visit heronline at JaniceHardy.com or chat with her about writing atFiction-University.com.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Janice Hardy (March 13, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 099153641X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0991536412
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.74 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #240,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #388 in Authorship Reference
- #651 in Writing Skill Reference (Books)
- #1,059 in Fiction Writing Reference (Books)

Customer Reviews:
136 ratings

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Janice Hardy

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Janice Hardy is the award-winning author of the teen fantasy trilogy The Healing Wars. Her novels include "The Shifter," "Blue Fire," and "Darkfall" from Balzer+Bray/Harper Collins. "The Shifter," was chosen for the 2014 list of "Ten Books All Young Georgians Should Read" from the Georgia Center for the Book. It was also shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize (2011), and The Truman Award (2011).

Janice is also the founder of Fiction University, a site dedicated to helping writers improve their craft. Her popular Foundations of Fiction series includes "Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure," a self-guided workshop for plotting a novel, the companion "Plotting Your Novel Workbook," and the Revising Your Novel: First Draft to Finished Draft series. Her Skill Builders series includes "Understanding Show, Don't Tell (And Really Getting It)," and "Understanding Conflict (And What It Really Means)," focusing on common problem areas for writers.

As J.T. Hardy, she writes fantasy and science fiction for adults. The first book in her Grace Harper series is "Blood Ties."

Janice loves talking with writers and encourages questions of all types – even the weird ones. She lives in Central Florida with her husband, two cats, one yard zombie, and a very nervous freshwater eel. You can visit her online at www.JaniceHardy.com or chat with her about writing at Fiction-University.com.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

136 global ratings

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Amazon customer

Very helpful book that breaks down the novel writing process

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 4, 2022

Verified Purchase

I have quite a few books on writing fiction, some contemporary and some written a number of years ago and while they are excellent, this is the first book that breaks down the process in a way a semi-beginner like me doesn't feel overwhelmed. Doing the exercises helps me understand the process of taking an idea and seeing if it has feet to sustain an entire novel. I honestly didn't know more than an idea was needed :) I inevitably come to a point after writing 50 or even 100 pages and then give up.
I have already taken a few ideas (the book provides great suggestions for coming up with ideas) and following the book's guidance, used the process to "test" them to decide if the idea will sustain an entire book. Janice takes the frustration out of the process and makes it fun again. Thank you Janice!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Brandon Stephen

Actionable Steps to Flesh Out Your Idea(s) Into a Story!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 3, 2020

Verified Purchase

Janice Hardy helps you realize that ideas are one thing, but it's the execution of craft that matters. Hardy mentions the perils of how writers are often inspired by an idea which can end up at a dead-end during the process.

We become captivated by the epiphany with ideas that trigger to us on how said idea(s) would be great for a novel. And when there's a maelstrom of ideas, we're often paralyzed on what to do, or we drift off into a different direction.

Hardy's book on plotting your novel is the lighthouse you need to bring you back home in the event you wander off. And it's okay to wander off sometimes to collect and become inspired by things as you develop your novel. We all need that glue so we're not disappointed when that "million dollar idea" turns out to be lackluster.

For all levels, this is a significant resource for actionable steps. Her Skillbuilder Series books can help you flesh things out even more.

I own them all. This one helps both pantsers and plotters, and anyone within those two. Keep in mind that those types are just concepts of identification that can be explored of how you prefer to assess writing.

And because of that beacon of light Hardy provides, I'm more assured to fluctuate around things. Her books provide an excitement where even though the editing process can be daunting, it's not so bad. Commit to taking those actionable steps and considerations she mentions to ease any anxiety you may have. Especially if you want to get that passion out before editing.

I've come to be joyful in my chaotic creativity because I know how to channel it now. This book is that resource to help that channeling.

Now for the workbook -- you might be asking if it's required? If you have to pick one, go with this one as the workbook is a companion piece. The info in this book is good, and it's not the end of the world if you can't get the companion piece. I wish said piece had an e-book format, but I'm content with my paper back!

Check out her Fiction University website and blog posts as well! Thank you Hardy!

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Melissa Sugar

A Writing Workship Made into a Book

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 18, 2015

Verified Purchase

I'm a big fan of the author's blog - Fiction University so I was delighted when she packed so much of her wisdom, experience and knowledge into a writers craft book. I purchased the hard copy because I knew that it would become one of my go to writing books and I was right. I recommend this well written book for anyone who is writing a book. The author covers everything from the initial brainstorming to writing the much dreaded synopsis. Janice Hardy has a gift. She is able to explain concepts of storytelling in a way that makes it so clear to the reader. I've always read her blog posts for just this reason, but I love having my own little manual next to my side when I write. Janice doesn't try and force the reader into believing that her way is the only way, in fact she covers many different avenues one can take to get the the same place. We all want to get that same place - a published novel. She is quick to point out that there is no right way or wrong way - what is right is what works for you. But, she offers so many options for a writer that you can't help but learn. I like that she included many exercises. I also admit that many times when I read a writing craft book, I skip the exercises. It's probably been a mistake to do so and I'm glad I didn't skip the exercises in this book becasue little by little, the more time I put into Janice Hardy's well thought out writing exercises, the more I noticed an improvement in my own writing.

This book really is a workshop that teaches you how to plan and write your novel. The author covers everything from characters to plotting and even teaches you how to write your blurb or pitch. The author shows you how to do it and then discusses it. She offers many examples and "something to think about" prompts and she shows you how to get the most benefit from the exercises. You will learn how to plan and write your novel that includes theme, a great hook, inciting incident, plot points, characters fully fleshed out with distinct wants needs, flaws and motivatation. You will learn how to connect the dots and put it all together so that when you finish the book and exercises you will have something worthwhile already written- enough to work with so that you can then write or revise a fantastic novel that has all
of the elements of great fiction. Janice Hardy is one of the best writing instructors I've come across and she has a rare gift. She is able to show you what so many others have told you. I promise you that many lightbulbs will go off as you read her book. If you want to plan a tight, perfectly paced novel, read Janice Hardy's book and please don't skip the exercises.

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

S Smyth

Big shoes to fill

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 29, 2021

Verified Purchase

A guide of a book that is thorough in its explanations for how to plot a novel. This leaves the writer with the considerable challenge for to start with a proposition for a thoroughly plotted story that will not succumb to the unavoidable need to jump sharks, include too many twists, sub-plots, etc. In other words: Is the story conceptually big enough to contain the plot. Be sure to read the Janice's companion books for show don't tell and conflict, to round it all out.

FionaJG

) I finally found this wonderful, illuminating and generous guide

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 30, 2015

Verified Purchase

After years of writing as a pantser (and never finishing a book!) I finally found this wonderful, illuminating and generous guide. THANK GOODNESS! Now I finally have a clear understanding of why and most importantly how I need to plan. Having done a writing course in London and devoured many books on the subject, I was STILL losing my way. But in 'Planning Your Novel' Janice presents and consolidates everything into a guide that WORKS and that I know I'll be referring to again and again. It is a bright, comforting and truly illuminating light in the dark quagmire of wannabe-writerdom. THANK YOU JANICE!!!

6 people found this helpful

Bow Fox

I wish Janice Hardy ran a real university I could attend!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 13, 2015

Verified Purchase

What a wealth of knowledge and easy to understand examples all crammed into one book. This is invaluable to any one wanting to write novels. The exercises help you to think about your own work of art alongside Janice's explanations and samples from her own work. Her blog is just as superb and I have learned so much from her. Thank you Janice.

6 people found this helpful

Tomxico

The right book you need to write a book.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 4, 2015

Verified Purchase

The right book you need to write a book. Well strutured and very good explanations. Better than the Weiland books by far.

3 people found this helpful

Fiazman

The only book you'll need.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 11, 2018

Verified Purchase

I have been studying the art of novel writing for a while now. There is much confusion. Janice sets it straight, she writes clearly and with good examples. I wish I had read her books at the beginning. Thank you Janice.

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