Fiction Writer's Brainstormer

Okay, it wasn't at first. I found it a little overly-glib at times and the first section a little on the vague side as it explores brainstorming methods.But delve deeper. For example, when I got to his ten-card/10-scene framework, I tried applying it to a story I've been hopelessly stuck in for several weeks. The more I had tried to fix it, the more convoluted and confusing it became. But his method WORKED! In just one try, I found my story focus again and realized I'd been in serious danger of over-writing. Now I'm much closer to finishing it!It's definitely not a book that's cover-to-cover, page-by-page reading, and it's not always easy to find the "concepts." But it's really more a whole bunch of nuggets, some of which you'll find useful and some of which you may not. But they're worth a try! Definitely a keeper.

I've read more writing books than I can count, and usually find a few things in each one to inspire and guide me. I read both books by this author, (You Can Write A Novel) and gave my manuscript a complete rewrite. I used the techniques, followed some of his ideas, (not all of them) and paid attention to his suggestions. Result: the next editor who looked at my query asked for a full. Then I became a finalist in the Dorchester "New Historical Voice" contest. I didn't win, but who cares, because MY book is a September 2002 release. I took the advice in these books, applied it, and made the changes. It might just be a coincidence that I got published, but I don't think so. Make a good investment, buy these books, and pay attention. It could happen to you!

Say what you will about The Fiction Writer's Brainstormer. But no one can deny that Mr. Smith accurately describes the formula for a big book or big film in today's market. From "the opening" to the "point-of-no-return complication" to the final "Oh, wow," he is dead on. As a published writer with two novels to my credit and several more in the works, I might not have read a writing "brainstormer," except that my wife happened to see it at the library and brought it home just in case I might have been interested. Well, let me tell you I have rewritten my last novel and plan to rewrite everything that I have in progress according to The Fiction Writer's Brainstormer big book/big film formula. I assume that everyone reading this review is either a writer or connected to writing in some capacity. If you are struggling and can't afford to buy this book, check it out at the library and outline it. I have done both, and already I see a night and day difference in my books. I have been writing fiction for ten years and I believe this is my biggest step forward.Roy King

Different, yes, Down-to-earth, definitely.After the disparity in reviews covering this book at both extremes of the spectrum, I had to see it for myself. Here's what I found.Definitely go with the readers who liked the book. The author debunks the notion of writing as heaven-sent art. He gets down to the nitty gritty. He doesn't take himself too seriously but does take writing seriously. This comes through in the way he puts himself down while approaching the nuts and bolts of writing from a practical point of view.I didn't just read the book. I actually tried Smith's creativity tips and found myself wanting to get back to a manuscript that's been buried in the back of my closet for years. I'm back in the writing game because of the Brainstormer.I can see how somebody could take umbrage at the book. If you think of writing as sitting back with a smoking jacket and pipe and dreaming philosophically about literature while waiting for the muse to tap youon the shoulder, don't buy the Brainstormer. If you want an author to set up, tap you on the brain and tell you to get to work, this is the reference for you. Thanks, Mr Smith, for putting me back to work on my Great American Novel.

I must own at least 50 books on writing. I'd made a promise to myself that I would NEVER buy another Writing Reference, until I finished writing something...ANYTHING, and submitted it for publication. "That's it! NO MORE BOOKS! And that's final!" Or so I said. Yes, fellow bibliomaniacs, I went into my local bookstore the other day, and FWB lept out at me, clamped it's teeth around my ankle, and wouldn't let go until I paid for it and brought it home. Turns out the title fits. It DOES create Brainstorms. A lot of advice out there tends to create sandstorms, or even worse, cerebral infarcts ( yes that last word is spelled correctly ) James Smith promises to be in the room with you, giving you advice and amazingly, he almost really is! Now this is refreshing...not the usual dry-up-the walls prose. I've never had to worry about a sagging middle ( other than my own) heck I would be happy just to be able to GET to the middle. I'd embrace it, sagging or not. It's a rollercoaster of a read....great fun with terrific down to earth wit. He puts a whole new spin on SHOWING rather than TELLING just in his writing style alone, and he makes you show him back. The big surprise is, how EASY it is once he shows you where to go. This is a totally NEW kind of writing advice-animal, unlike anything I have ever encountered in print or real life. It's revolutionary, and immediately involves the would-be writer in producing and participating in creating. I've only had the book for 5 days and it has completely turned me around. Well well WELL worth the money! ( Ok so I went overboard and fell into the well ) But...Thank You James Smith!