How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling by james n. frey

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

This was one of the first books I read on writing a novel that showed how to work through what was needed step by step. Unfortunately I don't think I paid as much attention to Mr Frey as I should have - although I kept the book on my shelves for probably another thirty years - and it's taken me a long time to realise that writing as a 'pantser' isn't the ideal, even for me, who finds that method very appealing.

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agnis_ritaputri

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

Grāmata pilna noderīgu padomu un iedvesmas, lasīju ilgi, bet cītīgi. Parādās arī pāris pretrunas un apgalvojumi, kuri nesakrīt ar manu uztveri - kā jau katrā darbā. Kopumā - lieliska, asprātīga, precīza, aizraujoša grāmata.

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KuronekoYamato

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

I just can't get enough of James's books. I highly recommend this one for both beginners and professional writers. There are some amazing tips that most writers need to know before starting their novels.

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Iordanh

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

Useful book about the art of writing.

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HIYUIM

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

Hab keine Lust mehr auf Literaturratgeber. Besserer Stil als kreatives Schreiben aber die Prämisse, dass man eine Prämisse haben müsse (eine These, die man veranschauliche) halte ich für nicht zutreffend 1. und 2. auch häufig verkehrt, weil der Roman dann schlichtweg wie eine Stellungnahme wirkt, ohne fähig zu sein Argumente zu liefern. Will man etwas erklären oder kritisieren, soll man gefälligst Wissenschaft treiben und keinen Roman schreiben.

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Ro-ro33

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

It's the best book you'll ever read on REVISION.

I love this book, but a lot of people miss what it's about, because the author himself seems to think it's about first drafting. But very few people ever draft with the massive amount of preparation Frey suggests: a beat sheet, character interviews, a character's ruling passion, a premise, a defined crucible, a defined denouement and setup...

Most people start writing with only a few of these elements in mind, and discover along the way. Stephen King doesn't know how his books will end, which is probably why he's so effective at scaring us, because he can really empathize with the clueless characters. Most people discover character traits as they go, writing their character through some pre-created situations, watching their character take a different turn, etc. Few people can start from a pre-created premise, because the things you care about change as you put them on the page.

All Frey's tips--premise, ruling passion, beat sheets, defined crucible, falling conflict, creating indirect dialogue--happen in revision, when you look as a first draft and start pulling some order out of what your brain dumped on the page. Make a list of all Frey's elements and see if your book really can meet those requirements. Use his tips on indirect dialogue to improve what you've got.

It's no surprise that one gushing review on the back says "I wish I had found this book during my fourth rewrite of my novel."

It's about REVISION!

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Kairi136

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

If you're reading a lot of craft books, you're not going to get a lot out of this. I highlighted a few passages, but most of it I'd already picked up from other sources or was just flat outdated.

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