This book discloses the hidden nuts and bolts of what makes a huge bestseller tick, and shows how you too could write a novel that might sell millions of copies. The topics covered in this book include: how to develop and use a synopsis or outline of your novel; the value of setting your novel in an exotic or unique world; how to choose and build your characters; to control point of view and use it as a technique for developing reader empathy; how to knit together the relationships between characters; to weave plot strands in order to build maximal climaxes; how to build scenes while setting up suspense and maintaining current action; what a story point is and how to make sure each chapter includes at least one. All of this is illustrated through numerous examples of current, and timeless, popular fiction, including "Gone With the Wind", "The Godfather", "The Thorn Birds" and the works of Ken Follett, who has contributed the introduction.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Reviews
There are no customer reviews yet on Amazon.co.uk.
5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.7 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
a little something extra
30 Aug 2004
By bookloversfriend
- Published on Amazon.com
This book IS different from most others. First of all, where other authors bob and weave about exactly what you should do, Al hits you in the face with it. If you agree, fine. If you disagree, better get some other book. For instance, he lays out his value criteria: "high stakes; larger-than-life characters; a strong dramatic question; a high concept; a farfetched plot premise; intense emotional involvement between several point-of-view characters; and an exotic and interesting setting."
Really, there's the whole book for you in a nutshell. In separate chapters, he elaborates each of these elements. If you're not sure you want to base your novel on a farfetched premise? Or have larger-than-life characters? Well, you have a problem.
He also devotes about a quarter of this rather short book to discussing in detail the re-writing of one of Ken Follett's novels. If you don't want to write the type of novel Follett writes, better choose some other writing book.
Still, if you can afford one more book on writing, this one might challenge some of your assumptions and provoke you to make your novel just a little more gripping.
Really, there's the whole book for you in a nutshell. In separate chapters, he elaborates each of these elements. If you're not sure you want to base your novel on a farfetched premise? Or have larger-than-life characters? Well, you have a problem.
He also devotes about a quarter of this rather short book to discussing in detail the re-writing of one of Ken Follett's novels. If you don't want to write the type of novel Follett writes, better choose some other writing book.
Still, if you can afford one more book on writing, this one might challenge some of your assumptions and provoke you to make your novel just a little more gripping.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Serious about writing a novel - start here
22 Jan 2012
By Maureen C
- Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
If you take your writing seriously and want to learn from the experts then there is no better place to start. Al Zuckerman is a don of the literary world and has probably read more manuscripts than we've had hot dinners. If ever there was a person to learn from - it is him.
With real life examples and exercises he takes you through every element of the blockbuster novel.
This book will put you so far ahead, so not sell yourself short - buy it today.
With real life examples and exercises he takes you through every element of the blockbuster novel.
This book will put you so far ahead, so not sell yourself short - buy it today.
8 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
For The Serious Writer Of Novels This Is An Excellent Book
2 Nov 2004
By Strephon Kaplan-Williams
- Published on Amazon.com
I don't know what it is about most of the reviewers here of Zuckerman's book when they pan parts of it. The point for me, as a well-published writer of psychology books, is that I started training myself to write fiction five years ago with on-line classes and buying around 40 how-to-write books from Amazon, if you please. I studied them carefully. Now that I have 110,000 words done of my Jesus novel, for a re-write I needed a pro to give me all the basics again so that in tightening the plot I have the knowledge of a good agent. Ken Follet is a favorite of mine so it was important to me to see how his novels are constructed. Many thanks to Al Zuckerman for doing his very best to describe the elements of a professional novel that sells. Don't let the title distract you as superficial. This is serious crafsmanship to guide the committed writer. If you are not committed and writing you won't understand the guidance in this book. I recommend you take notes to remind yourself. It is not a weighty university writing course book but a hands on practical and inspiring book for those who do want to entertain the reading public and make money writing an exciting novel at the same time. Don't read if you are not serious enough to need help in your writing project. Wait until you are committed. Then go to town with it! --Strephon Kaplan-Williams
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
