So You Want to Write a Novel

by Lou W. Stanek

Book Overview

You know there is a novel locked inside of you -- chock-fullof conflict, humor, irony, enthralling events and fascinatingcharacters. What you don't know is how to set it free. Practical Advice, Hands-On Help Respected author and professional writing instructorLou Willett Stanek's New York workshops have enabledscores of aspiring novelists to realize their dreams ofcompleting credible and compelling manuscripts. Here, ina positive, "user-friendly"...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 038077688X
• ISBN13: 9780380776887
• Release Date: December 1994
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

It helped me in my downtime

So, you want to write a novel was a good book. I won't say great because it could use a little something extra, but it was good. It helped me when I was suffering from what they call writer's block or laziness. The exercises were helpful and helped me get back into the swing of the writing process. I keep my answers in a notebook and often go back to them to create characters. I did a lot of excersises in one sitting and they kept me writing. That is what I like most about the book, it kept me writing and that is very important to a beginning writer. So you want to write a novel, is definately for beginning writers, because it doesn't offer enough ideas for the experienced writer, they would just lose interest (but then again, you never know). I of course finished the whole book and will use my answers later on in my writing life. I give Lou, a big round of applause for writing this book. It was one of the first books I bought when I began considering writing a novel. I plan on keeping the book and using some of the exercises in a writer's group,(whenever I find the time to start one). Continuing to write is very important, if you want to be successful, so if you're stuck with writer's block or laziness, pick up "So you want to write a novel" and try some of the excersises you might learn something you never knew.

This is the best book EVER!

This book was SO much help, I've never felt so confident in my writing before! The exercises are not only creative, but fun, and this book helps! Instead of telling you 'you can't, you CAN'T YOU CAN'T!' this books says 'its simple, just follow the steps and soon you'll have a novel!' Pointing out normal mistakes people make (and telling you how to fix them) makes this book worth TEN stars! yay Lou!!

this book truly helped me...

I have been trying to get started on a novel for months and I wasn't getting anywhere until I picked up this book. The exercises are very useful and really get your creativity flowing. This book offers real advice and inspiration for beginner writers. If you really want to start writing, get this book!

Gave me that push I needed

This book gave me that extra push I needed to finish my first novel. Many of the exercises helped me to understand my characters better, and several of them were later worked into scenes in my novel. Though I haven't written a best-seller, this book helped me to prove that I do have what it takes to be a novelist.

The only instruction you need--unless you can take the class

If you aren't fortunate enough to be able to take Lou's class in NY, then go through the book, do the exercises, and get going on your novel. This is the most instructive book on the market (too many others want to write your novel for you, and not as well as you will). You think you don't need to do the exercises, you'll just skim? Do the exercises. It will get the juices flowing, whether you use the outcome in your book or not.