Writing and Selling Your Novel

I have probably read over 50 books on writing fiction, plot, character development and what not. And I have finally stopped looking. Don't get me wrong, this is not the "All" book for writing fiction, but it addresses just enough information to get you on your way in writing good fiction and believable characters. I already have Bickham's book on "Scenes and Sequels" which is a must, but if you don't have it yet, this book does a nice job in giving you the "meat" so to speak. His section on viewpoint, which some may disagree, gives you his interesting logic about what viewpoint to use. Some may argue, that his advice and style might be too formulaic, but just suck it in, because there is something to be learned. Use the advice that feels right to you. This was the first book that introduced me to "Transactional Analysis" when considering my characters' actions/ motivations. Get this book, you won't be sorry. I bought his other book on "Settings" however, and this book gives you a good enough review, so you don't need to purchase it. However, Bickham does have another book on How to Write a Short Story. I have it and I recommend it Highly. It does overlap alot with this book, but it is formatted in a way that it maps out step by step on what you need to do and consider when writing a short story or novel from scratch. It uses the system of index cards which I like. However, if that doesnt seem to your liking, just consider it. I did and i am well on my way to finishing my first novel. The overlap in both books are not duplicate materials, just that each book has a somewhat different approach to presenting the information. If you want a book with mapping instructions to write a short story or novel, then get his "How to Write a Short Story" book instead. If you are comfortable with the Preplotting stage of writing, then get this book instead. If you are looking for advanced Scene & Sequel techniques, then get other book on that topic too. All in all, these are great beginner's to intermediate level writing books!!! Highly recommend.

If you're a serious writer, it's a good idea to learn the business of getting published. This book takes you from the basics to the insiders-know-hows. Plus, you're being instructed by a great author (have you checked out his highly recommended book, Scene and Structure) Jack M. Bickham.

I recently bought 9 books on novel writing when I decided I was going to shift from screenwriting to novels (I want creative autonomy and it's unlikely to get it as a screenwriter in Hollywood under other people).Besides Lawrence Blocks's TELLING LIES FOR FUN AND PROFIT, this is one of the best books of the bunch on writing techniques.In it, some things you will learn:(1) THE RIGHT ATTITUDE AND WORKING HABITS: one of the best I have read of 30 sources!;(2) STIMULUS AND RESPONSE: very good;(3) GETTING IT SOLD;(4) INTERESTING CHARACTERS: some great highlights; and(5) SCENE AND SEQUEL: advanced steps but necessaryAdditionally, there are exercises after each chapter which are quite good for beginning novelists. He used to be a writing instructor at Oklahoma University so he knows how to teach.

I love this book, and it's a keeper on my shelf, this. And if you're debating between buying this book and that of Bickham's former writing teacher, Dwight V. Swain, "Techniques of the Selling Writer" go for this one--it's the less tedious of the two. Though I must say, both were wake-up calls for me. And although I'm not published yet, because of all I've learned from these two authors' works (and Bickham especially since he goes into greater detail in his many how-to-write books) I've finaled in four out of five Romance Writers of America Chapter contests within the last year with the same manuscript and won one of those contests. This book has worked wonders for me--as I'm sure it will you.

The chapters on Scene and Sequel, and Story Architecture are particularly specific and useful. Scene and sequel are better explained in detail in his other book: Scene and Structure, but he gives the basics here. His twelve "rules" on architecture are invaluable if you're going for the "good read." Some writers might chafe under such checklists and specific structure, but even within the borders of Bickham's constellation for the well-tempered novel there still exists a vast universe of space to fill in with the imagination. There's still plenty of artistic space to either screw up in or write the Great Novel out of. Chapter one, Professional Attitude, is a must read. Together with Work Habits in chapter 2 he presents a way of thinking of oneself as a writer and working that could be expanded into an umpteen habits of highly effective writers workshop. This is a book for the writer who wants to be a story teller in today's marketplace.