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How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-By-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling
 
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How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-By-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling (Hardcover)

by James N. Frey (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
US List Price: $21.95
UK Equivalent: £14.76
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Frequently Bought Together

How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-By-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling + The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes + Plot and Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot that Grips Readers from Start to Finish (Write Great Fiction)
Price For All Three: £29.95

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How to Write a Damn Good Novel II

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: St. Martin's Press (Dec 1987)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0312010443
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312010447
  • Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14.7 x 2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 146,921 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #47 in  Books > Reference > Writing > Fiction
    #83 in  Books > Reference > Publishing & Books > Authorship

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
5 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but not great, 20 Jul 2007
I actually read "How to Write a Damn Good Novel II" (aka "How to Write Damn Good Fiction") first, and was so impressed with it that I ordered this guide as well. I was sadly disappointed, although it was interesting to see how his ideas have evolved from the first to the second book (he actually directly contradicts himself on a couple of occasions, although on at least one of those, he does indicate that he has changed his mind since he wrote the first guide).

This book may be useful for the writer who is a complete novice and lacking confidence, as it lays down some fairly direct guidelines that are likely to prevent the follower committing the worst of potential writing sins. However, it's pretty basic stuff, and the more you write, the better idea you'll get of when you can break the "rules" and still intrigue and entertain your readers. I think the most offputting thing about this guide is the number of times you catch yourself thinking of great novels that have enjoyed both critical and commercial success which appear to break the rules he has laid down. This may be why I preferred "How to Write a Damn Good Novel II", as it seems that he has recognised some of his mistakes in the second guide, and also gives illustrations as to how this or that effect was achieved in this or that well known novel.

May be worth a read for context, but I'd recommend skipping directing to his second guide.
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48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow., 10 Mar 2005
By A Customer
I've read several books about writing. This is the most direct, the most practical, and the easiest to read. It's very hard to describe just how positive I am about this book. The strength of it isn't that it gives you secret tips known only by the elite, but that it tells you things that are so obvious that you feel you should have known them all along. Except you didn't. But now you do.

Frey covers such banal topics as premise, conflict, character and dialogue and shows you in a few brief examples that it's so very easy to go wrong on these.

Very, very, helpful.

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67 of 73 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A 'bible' for the would-be author, 3 Feb 2004
Having already read John Braine's book and thoroughly enjoyed it, I thought I'd try another perspective and one whih also had good reviews. As soon as I started to read ' How to write a damn good novel' I realised I found THE book to help any aspiring author. It's extremely well written and the rules/structure of writing are very clearly described and very well illustrated by example.

I genuinely feel ready to begin writing now, but I wont be putting this book on the shelf just yet. I can't imagine any novice (novel) writer being dissatisfied with this book.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good and very enjoyable introduction.
This is a very eloquently written, introductory book about creative writing. The author has a humorous and very enjoyable writing style and you will sometimes find yourself... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Yannis Theocharis

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem
The unpromising title belies a very wise book.
I get the impression that James N. Frey has put absolutely everything that is necessary to a novice author into his book and... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Red Uakari

5.0 out of 5 stars A true work of genius on the art of writing.
This is a fantastic book - my copy has been scribbed in, underlined, circled and written all over. I find it such an invaluable tool to write. Read more
Published on 9 Nov 2006 by Z. Phoenix

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
This book is short, sweet and to the point. I think someone else summed it up by noting, what he tells you seems so blooming obvious but you probably never realised it until you... Read more
Published on 26 Jun 2006 by Mr. C. Down

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent
This book is great, it is very helpfull; full of techniques and the "do's and dont's" of 'dramatic novel writing'. Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2005

5.0 out of 5 stars Best!!
This book is great!!! It helped me finish my novel. Very informative
Published on 9 Nov 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars THE GOD OF BOOKS ON WRITING!!!
This is the the best book anyone can ever read on writing novels! His chapters about unique characters are not up to par for today's standards, but they function well enough.
Published on 22 Mar 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars First book to read for a new fiction writer
I have read this book and II. I have also taken his three-day writing course. You will find him critical, arrogant, impatient, occassionally hostile, in short the best course a... Read more
Published on 5 Feb 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars ALL writers should read this neat book
Hi from the UK I'm a multi-published prize winning author (NOW) but Frey's book was seminal for me and I loved it when I was still finding my way. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 1998

3.0 out of 5 stars Worth the time
Damn embarassing book to be caught buying, but well worth the risk.
Published on 19 Nov 1997

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