The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel

by Monteleone, Thomas

• ISBN13: 9781592571727
• ISBN10: 1592571727
• Additional ISBN(s): 9781615640331
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-03-02
• Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.
• More Book Details

Summary

You're no idiot, of course. You know writing a novel takes more than talent, imagination, and a good grasp of grammar and syntax. You have to have the discipline to put in the time required, not only to write, but also to research, rewrite, and revise -- and the courage to forge ahead when you find yourself facing "writer's block." Get your story out of your head and onto the page! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel offers all the tricks of the trade for completing a coherent work of fiction -- including how to prepare for the professional publishing world. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Tom Monteleone is the acclaimed author of over a dozen popular novels. He has also edited 14 science fiction and horror anthologies, including the successful Borderlands series. His novels have been translated into six languages.

Table of Contents

Part 1: An Overview	1	(62)
1 So You Want to Be a Writer	3	(12)
The Write Stuff	4	(11)
Basic Writing Ability	4	(1)
Natural Storytelling Talent	4	(2)
The Right Temperament	6	(1)
A Natural and Abiding Curiosity	7	(3)
A Sense of Humor	10	(1)
A Support Group	11	(4)
2 Creativity and Talent	15	(10)
Why Analyze Creativity?	16	(1)
The Nature of the Beast	16	(5)
Fear Is the Killer	16	(2)
Creativity Is All About Your Ideas	18	(3)
Talent: Putting Your Ideas to Work	21	(1)
Ways to Stay Ahead of the Curve	21	(4)
3 Looking at "The List"	25	(10)
The History of the Bestseller List	25	(1)
The One and Only	26	(1)
The Man with a Plan	26	(1)
Effects of the Information Age	27	(1)
The List Pulls the Train	28	(1)
Don't Know Much About History	29	(1)
Becoming a Brand Name	30	(2)
The Name Game	31	(1)
Longevity	31	(1)
Variety	31	(1)
Staying Power	32	(3)
4 Genres and the Mainstream	35	(16)
What the Professor Said	36	(1)
The Nature of All the Beasts	37	(1)
Truth in Labeling	38	(10)
Action/Adventure	38	(2)
Fantasy	40	(1)
Horror	40	(2)
Mystery/Crime	42	(2)
Romance	44	(1)
Science Fiction	45	(1)
Suspense/Thriller	46	(1)
Western	47	(1)
Great Wheel Keeps on Turnin'	48	(3)
5 Reading to Write	51	(12)
That Magic Moment	51	(2)
Something Missing	52	(1)
The Rest of Us	53	(1)
What Has Gone Before	53	(2)
Ten Easy(?) Pieces	54	(1)
Everybody Needs a Stack	55	(2)
Your Favorite Writers	55	(1)
Your Favorite Genre	55	(1)
Other Genres	56	(1)
Another Country Heard from-Nonfiction	56	(1)
Every Life Telling a Story	57	(1)
Reading as a Learning Experience	57	(4)
Reading About Writing	57	(2)
Bad to the Bone	59	(1)
By the Guys Who Wanna Be Like You	60	(1)
The Power of the Word	61	(2)
Part 2: The Elements of Writing a Novel	63	(66)
6 Plot-Finding One and Making It Work	65	(12)
Plot-Engines	66	(1)
Plot Components	67	(5)
Houston, We Have a Problem	68	(2)
All of the Above	70	(1)
Why Do You Have to Be So Complicated?	70	(1)
Vive la Resolution!	71	(1)
Plot Requirements	72	(1)
Direction	72	(1)
Change Points	72	(1)
Suspense	73	(1)
A Few Words About Structure	73	(1)
The Beginning	74	(1)
The Middle	74	(1)
The Ending	74	(1)
A Few Tricks	74	(2)
Multiple Viewpoint	75	(1)
In Media Res	75	(1)
Logic and Nonsense	75	(1)
It's a Wrap	76	(1)
7 Characters-My People Calling Your People	77	(12)
Make Them Care	78	(2)
I Feel Your Pain	78	(1)
Danger! Will Robinson!	79	(1)
Larger Than Life	80	(1)
You're Not My Type	80	(2)
Stereotypes	82	(1)
Character Attributes	82	(2)
The Name Game	84	(1)
Models	85	(1)
A Few Points	86	(1)
Characters Under Construction	87	(2)
8 Setting-Location Is Everything	89	(14)
Location, Location, Location	89	(2)
In General	91	(2)
Balance	91	(1)
Personality Plus	92	(1)
This Ain't No Travel Agency	92	(1)
Research Versus Experience	92	(1)
Kinds of Settings	93	(2)
Place	93	(1)
Time	94	(1)
Mood	95	(1)
Atmosphere	95	(1)
Techniques	95	(2)
Use of Detail	95	(1)
Sense Impressions	96	(1)
Avoiding Cliches	96	(1)
Character Perception	97	(1)
Some Tricks to Creating Believable Settings	97	(2)
Other Considerations	99	(4)
Pacing and Balance	99	(1)
Inside Out	100	(1)
Placenames	100	(1)
Recurring Scenes	100	(3)
9 Dialogue-You Gotta Nave an Ear for It	103	(14)
Generally Speaking	104	(1)
Easy Reading	104	(1)
Keep It Moving	104	(1)
The Real World	104	(1)
Hard-Working Words	105	(2)
It Takes All Kinds	107	(2)
Standard English	107	(1)
Dialects	107	(1)
Monologue	108	(1)
Street Talk	108	(1)
Stylin'	109	(2)
Tricks and Techniques	111	(2)
Open with Dialogue	111	(1)
Use Humor	112	(1)
Original Phrase	112	(1)
A Few Cautions	113	(4)
10 The Other Stuff-Transition, Point of View, Pacing	117	(12)
The "Little Big Three"	118	(1)
Transitions	118	(1)
Ch-Ch-Changes	119	(1)
Transition Cues	119	(3)
Time Cues	120	(1)
Communication Cues	120	(1)
Motion Cues	120	(1)
Mood Cues	121	(1)
Word Cues	121	(1)
Point of View (POV)	122	(3)
First-Person	122	(1)
Second-Person	123	(1)
Third-Person	123	(2)
Pacing	125	(6)
Techniques	126	(3)
Part 3: The Process of Writing a Novel	129	(64)
11 Research-Getting It Right	131	(12)
Experience Versus Research	132	(1)
Sources	132	(5)
Unusual Occupations	133	(1)
Personal Experience	133	(1)
Interviews	133	(1)
Travel	134	(1)
Internet	134	(2)
Libraries	136	(1)
Things You Have to Get Right	137	(3)
History and Culture	137	(1)
Weaponry	138	(1)
Police Procedure and Forensics	138	(1)
Geography	138	(1)
Professions	139	(1)
A Few Warnings	140	(3)
How Much Is Enough?	140	(1)
Do You Want a Research Assistant?	140	(1)
A Nice Place to Hide	141	(2)
12 Format, Presentation, Grammar, and Syntax	143	(14)
It's Better to Look Good Than to Feel Good	144	(3)
An Industry Standard	144	(3)
Presentation	147	(2)
Cover Letter	147	(1)
Packaging	147	(1)
Bells and Whistles	148	(1)
Back to Grammar School	149	(1)
Grammar Basics	149	(4)
Parts of Speech	149	(1)
Agreement	150	(1)
Tense	151	(1)
Punctuation	151	(1)
Usage Rules	152	(1)
Spelling	152	(1)
Syntax	153	(4)
13 Style and Voice-Finding Yours	157	(12)
Stylin'	158	(1)
Influences	158	(1)
A Matter of Trust	159	(1)
Developing Style	159	(2)
Personality	160	(1)
Perceptivity	161	(1)
Developing Your Style	161	(3)
Always Build Your Vocabulary	162	(1)
Pay Attention to Syntax	162	(1)
Figure Out What's Distinctive	162	(1)
Use Interesting Verbs	162	(1)
A Lot of 'Splainin' to Do	162	(1)
Check Your Similes and Metaphors	163	(1)
Check Your Cliches at the Door	163	(1)
Write in Your Journal	163	(1)
Hunt Down Your Adverbs and Adjectives	163	(1)
Understand Usage and Diction	164	(1)
Warnings	164	(1)
Voice	165	(1)
Reaching for the Tone Control	165	(1)
Nothing Automatic	165	(1)
Comfort Levels	166	(3)
14 Time Management and Discipline	169	(10)
Analyze Your Time and Your Self	170	(3)
Getting Jobbed	171	(1)
Writing for Your Supper	172	(1)
Being a Creature of Habit	172	(1)
Schedules	173	(1)
Rules of the Game	174	(3)
Avoid Distractions	174	(1)
Hide the Remote	175	(1)
Writing Fast	175	(1)
Space Versus Time	176	(1)
Keep Out!	176	(1)
Final Considerations	177	(2)
15 Another Name for Writing Is Rewriting	179	(14)
Creating the Second Draft	180	(1)
A Little History Lesson	180	(2)
Getting Started	182	(3)
Take a Break	182	(1)
Sit Down and Read	183	(1)
Shopping Lists and Red Pens	183	(1)
It's Clobberin' Time!	184	(1)
A Second Opinion	184	(1)
The Devil's in the Details	185	(3)
The Good Ole Spellchecker	185	(1)
Sentence Structure	186	(1)
Intros and Outros	186	(1)
Diction	186	(1)
Colloquialisms	187	(1)
Repeating Words	187	(1)
Transitions and Agreements	187	(1)
Punctuation	188	(1)
Other Stuff	188	(1)
Is It Getting Drafty in Here?	188	(2)
Rewriting for Real	189	(1)
What...Again?	189	(1)
Copyediting and Proofing Galleys	190	(3)
Part 4: Revisions and Beyond	193	(64)
16 Common Mistakes	195	(10)
General Appearance	196	(1)
Don't Talk It...Write It	196	(1)
The Groves of Academe	197	(1)
The Missing Hook	198	(1)
Who's In Charge?	198	(1)
You Need a Motive	198	(1)
Who Said That?	198	(1)
Dumb Luck and Coincidence	199	(1)
Can You Describe It for Me?	199	(1)
Where Are We Now?	200	(1)
Did You Wear a Watch?	200	(1)
Trite Expressions	200	(1)
Stereotypes	201	(1)
You Talkin' to Me?	201	(1)
Imagery and Language	202	(1)
Structure	202	(3)
17 Other Sources of Help	205	(12)
Publications	206	(2)
A Few Good Mags	206	(1)
Lots of Books	206	(1)
How-To Manuals	207	(1)
Market Newsletters	207	(1)
Instruction	208	(3)
Writing Classes	208	(1)
Workshops	209	(1)
Seminars and Symposia	210	(1)
Clan Gatherings	211	(2)
Conventions	211	(1)
Writers' Organizations	212	(1)
Networking	213	(1)
Software	213	(4)
18 Marketing and Publicity	217	(16)
Major Goals	218	(1)
The Marketplace	218	(2)
Adventures in Time and Space	219	(1)
Other Venues	220	(1)
Marketing in General	220	(5)
Timing	221	(1)
Signings and Tours	222	(1)
Your Book Cover	223	(1)
Website and Samples	224	(1)
Word of Mouth	225	(1)
Publicity	225	(8)
The Press Release	226	(1)
Radio	227	(1)
Television	228	(1)
Book Reviews	229	(1)
Postcards	230	(1)
E-Mail	230	(1)
Publicists	230	(3)
19 The Business of Writing	233	(12)
Two Things You Will Need in Sufficient Quantities: Time and Money	234	(1)
Finding the Time	234	(1)
Working for Yourself	235	(1)
How It Works	236	(1)
In the Black	236	(1)
Returns	237	(1)
But Wait...There's More!	237	(1)
Paperbacks Are Different	238	(1)
A Singular Arrangement	239	(1)
When Strippers Are Not Entertaining	239	(1)
Other Ways to Get Paid	240	(2)
Odds and Ends	242	(3)
20 The People of Publishing	245	(12)
There Are Editors...and Then There Are Editors	245	(3)
The Gatekeeper	246	(1)
Ten Pages?	246	(1)
Now You're Getting Somewhere	247	(1)
You're Going to Copy What?	248	(1)
Don't Believe All Those Jokes About Agents	248	(4)
You Can't Get a Degree in It	249	(1)
Getting Their Attention	250	(1)
A Few Final Thoughts	251	(1)
People You Never Thought About...Until Now	252	(2)
Book City! Book World! Book-a-Rama!	252	(1)
Taking It to Another Level	253	(1)
Reviews Can Make You or Break You	253	(1)
The People Who Buy Your Book	254	(1)
How You Get Your Book from Here to There	254
Appendixes
A Interviews with Bestselling Writers	257	(42)
B Glossary	299	(12)
Index	311