- Library Binding
- Publisher: Topeka Bindery (30 Sep 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1417640928
- ISBN-13: 978-1417640928
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 14 x 1.9 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
Every November, tens of thousands of people sign up for National Novel Writing Month and attempt to write a 50,000-word novel. Baty, the brains behind this competition, has produced an uproariously funny motivational manifesto so readers can get a leg-up in his race or in the larger publishing game. The key is to lower your expectations "from 'best-seller' to 'would not make someone vomit, ' " says Baty, who maintains that stress and a deadline are important parts of writing. Aimed at the nonserious, with an emphasis on summoning creativity and having a life-changing experience, this original approach will appeal to anyone up for a challenge. -Library Journal
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
Author Chris Baty revs up the tradition of The Artist's Way, Bird by Bird, and Writing Down the Bones with his singular guide for high-speed novelistic access. Founder of National Novel Writing Month - NaNoWriMo - Baty shares the secrets for knocking out a novel in no time. With week-specific overviews, pep "talks," and essential survival tips for today's word warriors, this results-oriented, quickfix strategy is perfect for people who want to nurture their inner artist and then hit print!
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Once upon a time, I believed that you needed to have several things before you set out to write a novel. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Once upon a time, I believed that you needed to have several things before you set out to write a novel. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As one of those people who have "Write a novel" as one of the things on my "Someday/Maybe" lists, I accidentally found myself on the NaNoWriMo website.
Thinking that the whole concept is what I need, to actually force myself to start, I thought I'd get up to speed and buy the book. I fully had the intention of reading it now, doing the writing course I've been procrastinating on for 3 years and then do the challenge in 2007.
Well I read the book in an evening.
Ok, you won't gleam much insight into actually how to write a novel (there are plenty of other books to do that, plus the website has some great information in the forums).
What you get is a very witty (it made me cry with laughter in places) walk through how to prepare and cope through a stessful, painful, delightful, enjoyable etc month whilst you do a, possibly very bad, first draft of your novel.
With tips from past winners, the authors own struggles and the fact that you really are going for quantity over quality. This really has motivated me into contemplating actually entering this competition this year.
Plus how to use fear to get yourself to succeed is a particular useful bit of information I will be using in other aspects of my life.
If you have any interest in writing (or art or music for that matter), then this is an enjoyable romp through how to temporarily motivate yourself to a concentrated burst of creative output.
Lets hope my novel isn't as waffly as this review!
Thinking that the whole concept is what I need, to actually force myself to start, I thought I'd get up to speed and buy the book. I fully had the intention of reading it now, doing the writing course I've been procrastinating on for 3 years and then do the challenge in 2007.
Well I read the book in an evening.
Ok, you won't gleam much insight into actually how to write a novel (there are plenty of other books to do that, plus the website has some great information in the forums).
What you get is a very witty (it made me cry with laughter in places) walk through how to prepare and cope through a stessful, painful, delightful, enjoyable etc month whilst you do a, possibly very bad, first draft of your novel.
With tips from past winners, the authors own struggles and the fact that you really are going for quantity over quality. This really has motivated me into contemplating actually entering this competition this year.
Plus how to use fear to get yourself to succeed is a particular useful bit of information I will be using in other aspects of my life.
If you have any interest in writing (or art or music for that matter), then this is an enjoyable romp through how to temporarily motivate yourself to a concentrated burst of creative output.
Lets hope my novel isn't as waffly as this review!
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a wonderful book: inspiring, full of practical tips and advice and funny and well written into the bargain. Anyone who's ever wanted to write a novel should read it. Anyone who's ever got stuck while trying to write a novel should read it. Highly recommended.
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you're like me, teetering on the brink of writing a novel but never quite feeling confident that you've researched enough, are talented enough, or have the tenacity to see it through, then read this book. I tried the nanowrimo last July after reading it, and since then have written another one, and am just embarking on my third. What Baty helps you to see is that the first draft is not meant to be a work of great fiction, in fact it's better if it isn't. So go on, get your feet dirty and don't worry about it. I'm enjoying the process so much! It's amazing what you do know when you start to write!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Five stars because it got me writing....
A small book but packed with motivation. I didnt quite do 50k words in a month,
but I did do 45k....and thats great for me. Read more
but I did do 45k....and thats great for me. Read more
Published 10 months ago by N. Mackie
Thank you Chris
I have always wanted to write a book.
Now I have!! Thank you Chris
The first step was taking part in Nanowrimo 2010 and completing it. Read more
Now I have!! Thank you Chris
The first step was taking part in Nanowrimo 2010 and completing it. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Dan
One of my favourites
Chris Baty has been a hero of mine since I took part in NaNoWriMo for the first time in 2008. I'm one of those writers who is very passionate about the whole writing thing, I live... Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2010 by R. Fisher
Good fun but be warned!
This is a fun book, amusingly written and I generally just like dipping in and out of it.
However, be warned: the title is a little disingenuous. Read more
However, be warned: the title is a little disingenuous. Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2009 by Mr. W. J. Griffiths
No problem?
Chris Baty can obviously write. It seems he was a freelance newspaper writer before starting NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Read more
Published on 15 Jun 2009 by Banshee
Fantastic motivational book to get started
If you feel that you have a novel inside you trying to find its way out, this is the book for you. This is the perfect book to get you started, and combined with the annual novel... Read more
Published on 22 April 2009 by John Holland
Not a writing handbook, but an effective kick in the backside.
I'm not 100% convinced that I should be giving this book five stars, as it has the potential to be misleading as to what you can expect from it; but given the number of times I've... Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2008 by tiggrie AKA Sarah
Motivation with bells on
If you're teetering on the edge of starting a novel, I highly recommend this book.
It's a fun read, but what you take away from it is the realisation that it really... Read more
It's a fun read, but what you take away from it is the realisation that it really... Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2008 by Annabel Kantaria
Wish I could give 4-1/2 stars
This book was created by National Novel Writing Month (NANOWRIMO) founder Chris Baty. It is an excellent book for an aspiring writer regardless of whether you participate in... Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2007 by Mary Chrapliwy
a one joke comedy
I'm the lone voice who was disappointed with this. The concept is fun and I quite enjoyed the first chapter when it was explained. Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2007 by Robert Black
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