What is it about a good book that hooks the reader and makes them want more? A good plot. Every best-selling author from Agatha Christie to Terry Pratchett knows the importance of a strong story. But for the budding author it can be daunting and even confusing. How do you turn that seed of an idea into a great epic? This authoritative guide will help steer new writers through the minefield of the writing process. Using examples from her own work, and that of other top authors, Jean explains how to create memorable characters, generate cliffhangers and keep up a pace that will hook readers. And when you've done that, she even gives advice on how to work with publishers and editors to make your novel a best seller.
Successful Novel Plotting
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Quite simply excellent ... read, enjoy and be inspired. --Writers Bulletin
Jean Saunders shows how characters can be the pivot, how settings can trigger plots, how every novel needs pacing and much more... This is for anyone who wants to approach the plotting business sensibly. --Writing Magazine
Jean Saunders shows how characters can be the pivot, how settings can trigger plots, how every novel needs pacing and much more... This is for anyone who wants to approach the plotting business sensibly. --Writing Magazine
About the Author
Jean Saunders is an award-winning author of more than 600 short stories and 100 novels from contemporary fiction and historical romance to crime and erotica. She's best-known worldwide as Rowena Summers, the writer of many novels based in the West Country, and Rachel Moore, author of wartime sagas set in Cornwall.Her WW1 saga Bannister Girls was short-listed for the Romantic Novel of the Year award. A former chairman of the Romantic Novelists Association, Jean now lectures on writing and writes a monthly column for Writing Magazine. Successful Novel Plotting is the most recent in her series of how to guide books for writers.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Mo
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
A few years ago I undertook a creative writing course which not only helped in being able to take an idea beyond a few pages but to sculpt it professionally.
While I am not yet a published author (in fact I haven't even finished editing my first), the advice I was given was certainly sound. And some of the advice - the most juicy bits for someone who is otherwise technically competent - is found here for one crisp banknote.
The plot is the heart of the story, a good one results in the affirmative answer to "why am I reading this book?".
Across 10 easy to read chapters, Jean Saunders shows us by example (and it doesn't matter if you, like me, aren't interested in Mills & Boon) how to go about structuring vivid, rich and layered plots, how to make sure plot backgrounds are authentic and appealing to the senses, and how characters can be made intriguing, 3D and memorable.
If there is one criticism, it's that some of the advice is common sense. But people often overlook the simple things and need them pointed out. This book will not guarantee a fat cheque coming in the post for something you submit to an editor, but by following the guidance you're more likely to get a second glance.
Do remember though, while plot is the heart there are other things to strengthen a novel so don't expect this to cover all bases. For its price though it achieves what it sets out to do very well.
While I am not yet a published author (in fact I haven't even finished editing my first), the advice I was given was certainly sound. And some of the advice - the most juicy bits for someone who is otherwise technically competent - is found here for one crisp banknote.
The plot is the heart of the story, a good one results in the affirmative answer to "why am I reading this book?".
Across 10 easy to read chapters, Jean Saunders shows us by example (and it doesn't matter if you, like me, aren't interested in Mills & Boon) how to go about structuring vivid, rich and layered plots, how to make sure plot backgrounds are authentic and appealing to the senses, and how characters can be made intriguing, 3D and memorable.
If there is one criticism, it's that some of the advice is common sense. But people often overlook the simple things and need them pointed out. This book will not guarantee a fat cheque coming in the post for something you submit to an editor, but by following the guidance you're more likely to get a second glance.
Do remember though, while plot is the heart there are other things to strengthen a novel so don't expect this to cover all bases. For its price though it achieves what it sets out to do very well.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Nolene-Patricia Dougan
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Jean Saunders has published over 100 books, so when it comes to successful plotting she definitely knows her stuff.
This book is very nicely set out and easy to follow, and it is obvious that Saunders knows what she is talking about. However it is clearly aimed at beginners. So if you're a new writer just staring out and you have a great idea for a novel but don't know how to go about structuring it, or if your plot structure is starting to venture off course then this is the book for you.
This book is very nicely set out and easy to follow, and it is obvious that Saunders knows what she is talking about. However it is clearly aimed at beginners. So if you're a new writer just staring out and you have a great idea for a novel but don't know how to go about structuring it, or if your plot structure is starting to venture off course then this is the book for you.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
a basic and entry-level work, but does exactly what it says on the tin.
22 April 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
As an unpublished author - and you would have known that by the large number of reviews I have written - a plot, and successful plotting is a fundamental of any fiction. I've lost count of the number of times I have been yanked out of the Willing Suspension Of Disbelief on the page and the screen by the simple and thoughtless mistake of idiotic plotting ; that is, the well known moment where, in order to progress the events, the characters have to do something moronic, stupid, illogical or simply defying any common sense which breaks the internal consistency of the universe.
Remember the bit in the Star Wars movie when R2-D2 uses a small jet pack hidden in his legs - but only uses them once? That's lazy plotting - the Deus Ex Machina - when the author realises he's painted himself into a corner and think up a load of nonsense to solve the problem. Myself, I spend a very long time pulling apart my plots for any such instances to try and avoid these moments - if I'm asking someone to read a work I have writtena nd invest time in it, at the very least, it has to make sense and stand up. A good plot is hard to find ; good ieas are plentiful.
Thankfully this work lays clear all these issues, as well as deconstructing the unconscious knowledge that all writers have, and makes clear 'the wiring under the board'. If you are the kind of person who wants to write something that maintains the illusion, or someone who wants to know how plotting works, you can do a lot worse than starting here. It is a basic and entry-level work, but does exactly what it says on the tin.
Remember the bit in the Star Wars movie when R2-D2 uses a small jet pack hidden in his legs - but only uses them once? That's lazy plotting - the Deus Ex Machina - when the author realises he's painted himself into a corner and think up a load of nonsense to solve the problem. Myself, I spend a very long time pulling apart my plots for any such instances to try and avoid these moments - if I'm asking someone to read a work I have writtena nd invest time in it, at the very least, it has to make sense and stand up. A good plot is hard to find ; good ieas are plentiful.
Thankfully this work lays clear all these issues, as well as deconstructing the unconscious knowledge that all writers have, and makes clear 'the wiring under the board'. If you are the kind of person who wants to write something that maintains the illusion, or someone who wants to know how plotting works, you can do a lot worse than starting here. It is a basic and entry-level work, but does exactly what it says on the tin.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not the most novel approach, but still worth a read.
With an interest in eventually writing and getting published, I decided to give this book a try. Having been on a day's course with the NUJ, I had that experience to compare the... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Flickering Ember
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not bad for the beginner...
I have never owned a writing guidance book before, so I ordered this with an open mind.
If you detach the advice from the genre featured in the book, then this guide is... Read more
If you detach the advice from the genre featured in the book, then this guide is... Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2010 by BD
3.0 out of 5 stars
A little flowery and generic but not without merit
This book is billed as a writer's guide that will teach you all you need to know about plot and how to use it in your novel/writing. Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2010 by josie82
3.0 out of 5 stars
Same old stuff ...
I've a dozen books about writing. This one didn't add anything new (for me) and, frankly, I didn't enjoy reading it. Read more
Published on 4 May 2010 by Clarke
4.0 out of 5 stars
write a winning novel
The old saying is that everyone has a book in them. This book helps would be writers with important tips on plot, characterisation and keeping the pace. Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by D. Evans
1.0 out of 5 stars
Chatty waffle.
I had high hopes of this book delivering what the title promises but they were dashed almost by the first page. Plot equals story, OK? Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by Z. Herbert
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Advice
I have some vague notion that one day I might like to try and write a novel but I haven't written creatively for many years. Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by Alison
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Pretty Good Little Primer
This book sets out, as the title suggests, to offer advice on plotting a novel. It's not easy to create a work of original fiction; my own past is littered with many abortive... Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2010 by G. J. Oxley
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Beginnings
I found this book to be something that should appeal to and be helpful to beginners. Jean Saunders has dozens of published books, albeit in a grenre that is not my own taste, so... Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2010 by Boof
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good for Beginners
I've come across many self-help writing books, and a few of them end up with graphs and diagrams trying to explain how novels work (Usually written by academics). Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2010 by The Soft Machine Operator
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