How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling

How to Write a Damn Good Novel is an excellent read for novelists, especially beginners. Frey has packed this book with actionable information that will help writers craft, well,...a good novel. The book addresses everything from character and conflict to storytelling and dialogue. If you've never completed a novel or if you're trying to polish or rework one, this book is a vital and indispensable tool. Frey is good at instructing the writer, not only on what to do, but on how to do it. He discusses many techniques that are useful for writers, then gives examples showing how these techniques have been used in the published works of successful authors. In How to Write a Damn Good Novel, you'll learn which device is the most misused and overworked device in fiction writing, the three commandments of dynamic prose, how to connect with your readers on an emotional level, how to draft a step sheet, how to determine the best viewpoint for your novel, and many more elements that are critical to writing a novel. *An important note: This book primarily addresses the technical aspects of crafting a good novel (structure, dialogue, creating dynamic characters, etc). I mention this because it seems that How to Write a Damn Good Novel is repeatedly compared to other writing books, books that are more about the emotional and psychological obstacles of writing as opposed to a fundamental discussion on the how-to's of crafting a good novel. As such, it seems that many reviewers are trying to draw an apples-to-apples comparison that is more akin to comparing apples to oranges. In its own right, How to Write a Damn Good Novel is a practical and useful tool to help writers with the technical and fundamental aspects of structuring and writing a good novel. Highly recommended.

James Frey clearly intends that the potential author-reader has a lot of fun by hugely encouraging the reader to write! He gives sound fundamentals for the creative writing process. An engagingly readable 'fundamentals-of-successfull-dramatic-writing' book, this Guide gives valuable practical analysis of the reasons why books succeed and why they fail. Frey supports his viewpoint with quotes and references to other masters of the subject of the art and craft of writing. At the same time he does hesitate to disagree with the experts, making his case convincingly. Some very valuable sections--the neccessity for creating characters with a biography, a history; how fictional characters are different from real life people, while being identifiable with real people; the basic single premise-based message that is the reason for the story; the driving premises of the individual characters; what elements drive a story forward making in an interesting/readable way; identification of the dreaded 'writer's block' in its various forms and solutions for these; the self-editing and re-writing that Frey includes as an essential part of the writing process itself. And of course, the committed hard work that goes into the writing process. In this book, in order to grasp the information in a usable way will require many re-readings, making connections and note-jotting. This will be true for published authors as well as for those starting out. (In that sense "How to Write.." is not quite a formula book and reads more like an interesting novel.) A quick way to do this is, having got a point the author makes, to re-read the related section skipping the examples and going directly to the formulation-conclusion represented by those examples. These then become the reference points for understanding the framework of How to Write Damn Good Novel. This makes the reader work at really understanding the methods in a practical way. All said and done--Damn well done, James!

This book was highly recommended by a few writers. At the beginning, I just didn't agree with the author. He tells you what you need to do to write a dam good novel. But if you don't write his way, that doesn't mean that you will not end up writing a masterpiece. What I didn't like is that he tells you precisely what you have to do. Each author is different. What works for some, doesn't work for others. He tells you to write one hundred pages development about each of your main characters before you start writing your novel. You don't have to do it if it will only create confusion. And if transformed into your writing, it could be felt by your readers. And it might be a waste time to do it in the first place. But I have loved a few things that I didn't think about in my writing. The author talked about physical characteristics that shape us of who we are. It may develop our personality that way and our expectations. Another thing that I loved is the personification. What a wonderful way to present our characters in the novels! The last one that stood out was symbol of life. Many new writers who rely heavy on symbolism are using it wrong. They can sound childish and be picked up as amateurs. The author explains well what symbolism mean and how it should be used. The writer strongly emphasized using conflicts upon conflicts throughout the book. He stressed it well enough that I'll never forget it. Overall, the book was good, but the last two or three chapters were most valuable for me. I loved the way how the author talked about dialogues at the end and pointed out things that will become useful in my writing. I didn't know that there was a part II; I will be looking towards that read as well.

I was writing for at least five or six years before I bought this book. The cheesy title put me off. I'd had moderate success but I hadn't, despite investing in countless other books on writing learnt how to properly define and develop a premise or look at my manuscript objectively. Both big problems if you want to write anything well. So I swallowed my literary ego and sought the support of our friend Mr Frey. And he is our friend. This man has named this book in the same way Ronseal branded their wood preservative. It does exactly what it says on the tin. I read this book cover to cover twice, made some notes, took a long hard look at my work and wrote a response to the professional that had sent me some crushing editorial feedback. I outlined my own thoughts on corrections for my manuscript. They were impressed. I was relieved. I've never looked back. If you want to write. If you really, really want to know, you could do a lot worse than to start with this book. It's honest, it's readable and damn it, it's funny. Good luck!

Very helpful n interesting read

Touches all aspects, uses good examples. Very clear, all round, book on how to write books. I see it as a must have for all wannabe authors and not only.

Ottimo libro, lo consiglio a ogni aspirante scrittore e anche ai lettori più evoluti. Sarebbe da tradurre anche in italiano.

Very impressed with this book on the craft of writing a dramatic novel. James Frey lays out the major building blocks that are required in an orderly fashion with no fluff to confuse the aspiring author. A new, or even an experienced writer could benefit from reading this book on the craft of writing I believe.