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This Year You Write Your Novel
No more excuses. "Let the lawn get shaggy and the paint peel from the walls," bestselling novelist Walter Mosley advises. Anyone can write a novel now, and in this essential book of tips, practical advice, and wisdom, Walter Mosley promises that the writer-in-waiting can finish it in one year. Intended as both inspiration and instruction, the book provides the tools to tur...more
Hardcover, 111 pages
Published
January 8th 2009
by Little, Brown and Company
(first published 2007)
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This is one of four newish books I recently read mostly so I could finally get them off my queue list, all of which were actually pretty good but are mere wisps of manuscripts, none of them over 150 pages or so in length. This one is the nonfiction This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley, an author I don't necessarily like that much personally but certainly respect a whole lot, among other things for being one of the only black authors in history to break through the lily-white publishin...more
Apr 19, 2008
Karen
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Someone who wants to write but has no clue where to start
Listening to the "Writers on Writing" podcast (which I highly recommend), I've learned that it's far easier and generally more profitable to sell a non-fiction book proposal than a novel. Perhaps that's why so many writers of fiction come out with "how-to-write" books like this one. Or perhaps I'm being cynical since I have a shelf full of writing books.
I listed to an interview with the author on the WOW podcast and it sounded different than other writing books. But, as I'm now at the half-way...more
I listed to an interview with the author on the WOW podcast and it sounded different than other writing books. But, as I'm now at the half-way...more
4 likes · like · see review
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Somewhere out there is a handbook for writing and the writer's lifestyle; this is more like the "Quick Start Guide" falls out of the box. But if This Year You Write Your Novel is the Quick Start Guide of the writer's lifestyle then
Writing Down The Bones
is the in-depth, O'Reilly-published "Missing Manual".
I did not like Walter Mosley's book as much as Natalie Goldberg's. This one went into some mechanics but didn't seem to speak from the soul, didn't seem to speak to what motivates a writer...more
I did not like Walter Mosley's book as much as Natalie Goldberg's. This one went into some mechanics but didn't seem to speak from the soul, didn't seem to speak to what motivates a writer...more
Aug 13, 2007
Kecia
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who wants to write and has NO CLUE where to start
Shelves:
books-on-writing
I blew through this little book in a little under an hour while hanging out at the Des Moines Public Library waiting for my friend to finish his volunteer duty at the Iowa State Fair.
I've never used the "You would recommend this book to" field before in a review but I feel it's useful here because with this book Mosley is addressing a very specific type of reader: the person who has never ever picked up, read, or possibly even heard of any kind of how-to about writing. For that reader, this is a...more
I've never used the "You would recommend this book to" field before in a review but I feel it's useful here because with this book Mosley is addressing a very specific type of reader: the person who has never ever picked up, read, or possibly even heard of any kind of how-to about writing. For that reader, this is a...more
Mar 11, 2009
Friend the Girl
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
a novel writer who needs baby steps
I'm actually very disappointed in Mosley for writing such a bland and uninspiring call to take up pens and write. For being such a talented and prolific author himself, you'd think he would have a little more enthusiasm for the art itself, and more wisdom to impart on the aspiring novelist. If you need some help, advice, or motivation in getting your own writing started, I'd recommend The Modern Library Writer's Workshop. Now that book will light a fire under your arse.
Mosley gives straightforward, unpretentious advice to beginning writers, staying realistic at all times. There's no sugarcoating here. To paraphrase some of his advice: write every day, no excuses; the bulk of the work is in the endless drafts; a story is never done, but stop when you can't make forward progress; you'll be better the next story. The somewhat cheesy title is misleading. There is great advice in here that applies to all fiction writing. Can be read in one or two sittings. Definite...more
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This Year You Write Your Novel Review
At first, one is skeptical, a book about how to write a novel within a year? One immediately dismisses all expectations of actually learning anything from such a book yet after reading the captivating pages, page after page, that same writer beings to admire this fine work of Walter Mosley. As Michael Cunningham once said, “A writer always feels like he's in over his head”, and this beautiful rendition of how to craft the purposeful prose of the novel by W...more
I feel like a lot of people don't understand that how precisely Mosley's worked this. Books about writing are an industry unto themselves (because everybody wants to be an author), but here is one by an author who actually knows what he's doing. Go ahead and read one of his novels first, so that you can see him in action and trust he knows what he's talking about (I recommend Futureland or Fortunate Son). The book is brief...because you should be writing. And because there's not actually that mu...more
I picked up This Year You Write your Novel by Walter Mosley the other day because I've been wanting to read it and because it's very short--less than 25,000 words, with lots of punch. I'm reading with hi-liter in hand, marking those passages that make me want to toss the book aside and get back to writing. Those are the good ones. Good, GREAT passages inspire me, motivate me, make me wiggle with anticipation for my own writing accomplishments.
Walter Mosley is the author of 38+ books, including...more
Walter Mosley is the author of 38+ books, including...more
Mosely's writing book is the first of its kind that I had ever read (except for How Not to Write a Novel which was written by two publishers), and it was outstanding. In a concise and cogent manner, Mosely makes the case that writing a novel is a matter of getting in touch with one's unconscious which is the part that tells the kinds of truths that make for good fiction, and then getting out of the way long enough to let the unconscious dream out the story onto paper. Mosely recommends regarding...more
As a novice writer, I eagerly search out books that might help me produce quality work. "This Year You Write Your Novel" was definitely a title that caught my attention. Walter Mosley presents in 110 or so pages how a new writer should structure their time. He talks about first and third person narratives and the lesser known omniscient narrator and the pros and cons about each.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is when the author would show examples by writing a short piece and...more
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is when the author would show examples by writing a short piece and...more
Walter Mosley is a very successful and prolific author and has the credibility to write a book about his craft. However, this book feels like he wrote it at gunpoint. Books about writing, written by successful authors who put a little love into their "How To," are ON WRITING by Stephen King, ZEN IN THE ART OF WRITING by Ray Bradbury or BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott. Mosley should have titled it "How to Be A Writer: A Beginners Guide." This book is extremely spartan and gives the kind of general ad...more
Once when I was wasting time in Barnes & Noble I found myself standing in the aisle reading this book, not having a clue who Walter Mosley was. I saw it in the library and checked it out.
I don't know whether or not it "works" - I vaguely recall reading a review of it (in between "discovering" it for myself in barnes & noble and checking it out) and the person saying it was a good plan, or maybe it was somebody who was doing it and it was working for him (if I had to guess where that came...more
I don't know whether or not it "works" - I vaguely recall reading a review of it (in between "discovering" it for myself in barnes & noble and checking it out) and the person saying it was a good plan, or maybe it was somebody who was doing it and it was working for him (if I had to guess where that came...more
This book was...not good. I've read a lot---trust me, a whole lot---of these kinds of books and this may be one of the weakest. At least the weakest I've ever finished. It was short, so I finished it. I'm not proud that I needed to finish it to add it to my list for the year. But I did, and I do not recommend it to you unless you've never ever read another writing book, want to write, and have no idea how to do it. THEN you might find this book helpful.
The only good parts were where Mosley does...more
The only good parts were where Mosley does...more
The book is a pragmatic guide to getting your novel out of your head and onto the page or screen. I appreciated the simple instructions and specifically the discussion of character development, dialogue and structure vs. intuitive approach.
It serves as an essay in some sections, sharing more about Mosley's own practices than a how-to guide for every author. He recommends that writers spend *at least* 1.5 hours every day, and says that he spends 3 hours every day no matter where he is. He dismiss...more
It serves as an essay in some sections, sharing more about Mosley's own practices than a how-to guide for every author. He recommends that writers spend *at least* 1.5 hours every day, and says that he spends 3 hours every day no matter where he is. He dismiss...more
A solid, informal book on writing. Mosley provides practical advice that's worked for him (i.e. write every day; show, don't tell), and though most of it has already been told in other writer's books and college creative writing classes, it's effective coming from someone who's made a quality living following these procedures. His specifics (i.e. write for at least 90 minutes a day; get right on the revisions after the first draft instead of taking a break to clear your mind) also allow the book...more
An easy, entertaining, and mercifully quick read with some helpful basic info, Mosley has a great voice and offers fresh takes on well-worn tropes of the Writer's Life (procrastination, writer's block,e tc). I just couldn't get into the hypothetical novel ideas Mosley used to illustrate various writing principles--in fact, I found them quite distracting (an odd love story that didn't seem to match up to any of its described plot points, and an *insanely* violent--seriously, I can imagine Cormac...more
I tried to read this book before I'd ever attempted to write a novel. I didn't finish it. A day ago I picked this book up again from the library and finished it. Mr. Mosley's easy and relaxed style encourages the writer to keep his feet to the fire. After writing three novels (in various states of presentation) I have come to fully appreciate his writing wisdom. I loved the examples he gave to clarify usage of POV, voice, character, dialogue. Each example was a story in itself; I longed to read...more
I have been a writer all of my life, but I have never had any of my work published. As I near 40, I feel the pull to change this. Thus I stumbled across this and a few other nuggets for aspirants at McKays for only $3.50. Read the book in a day, and I think it had valuable points. I can see myself returning to it as a handy reference as I undertake this most terrifying of projects. Overall, I'd recommend it, but don't think it will write your book for you. Like riding a bike, you can have all th...more
I have read a good number of writing books, and, as others have said, there is nothing new in this book. However, I think this book still has something of value to offer. This book is a really quick read for those who want a quick reminder of the fundamentals of writing and who want a motivational writing boost. It is also a good briefing for beginning writers who want a quick start to writing. Moreover, it is pretty cheap in most places where I have seen it. If you are looking for a brief intro...more
I literally read this book in a couple of hours, but I couldn't put it down once I started. Its only 25k words according to the author.
For those who like their writing advice sans exercises, this is the book for you. There is only one short exercise and its almost at the end of the book.
"If you fall in love, make that love an aspect of a character in your book. Don't stop writing for any reason. Don't stop writing. Don't stop . . . Don't."
I am putting this book on my list of books I would like t...more
For those who like their writing advice sans exercises, this is the book for you. There is only one short exercise and its almost at the end of the book.
"If you fall in love, make that love an aspect of a character in your book. Don't stop writing for any reason. Don't stop writing. Don't stop . . . Don't."
I am putting this book on my list of books I would like t...more
There just isn't much to this short book, certainly not much new in the way of advice to aspiring novelists. Mosley's voice comes through strongly and the primary benefit of this book is his clear direction in regard to doing what must be done to get a novel written in one year. Mosley is refreshingly realistic about the quality of the manuscript likely to result from his no-frills instructions, but his point is that the most important thing real writers do is complete their work, not sit around...more
This author is very good at giving you the drive to write something on a schedule but other than that, it was a pointless read.
The only piece of advice I found worthwhile was to record yourself while reading through your work aloud. That way, you'll hear any forced or grammatically incorrect sentences in your writing.
It was padded out with common topics such as the use of dialogue, characterisation and so on.
Very short book which held very little information that could be of use.
The only piece of advice I found worthwhile was to record yourself while reading through your work aloud. That way, you'll hear any forced or grammatically incorrect sentences in your writing.
It was padded out with common topics such as the use of dialogue, characterisation and so on.
Very short book which held very little information that could be of use.
I liked this book better than most, apparently, It's aimed at the new writer and is designed as a bare-bones set of tools to help you get started understanding what's necessary and not necessary to writing a novel in a year. I enjoyed it and will reread it. It's been a very long time since I read a book about writing because I quit writing fiction for a long time. I don't necessarily agree with Mosley about everything but I like his kick-butt, get 'er done attitude.
Interesting for Mosley's terse style--he uses fewer commas than anyone I've ever read, I think. The information won't be anything new to those who've read other books on writing/getting published. I was looking for a short course on revision for a self-publishing novelist friend and I do believe Mosley's advice would help, but I'm not sure his spare delivery will do the trick. Concise works best with close readers, and close readers probably don't need a short course.
Concise and to the point. Great tips for any aspiring author (like myself) and kept brief and open to variation. Mosley is one of my favorite authors -- who better to take writing advice from? This book was more like a little personal guidance from your mentor than it was one of those cook-cutter "how to write and get published" books that get churned out of the mill every year. I'll definitely be putting much of his advice in this book into practice soon.
I participated--and failed--in Camp Nano in June. However, I had a really hard time with motivation. So I took to the library for aid. I read quite a few books about writing tips and the like, including this little one. However, it wasn't very helpful. Mostly, it just said "Write every day, whether you like it or not." And while I do find that to be helpful and important to writing efficiently and on a deadline, it wasn't very helpful with motivation.
I read this hoping to find some advice that might kick-start my long oft-derailed and long-delayed writing. I'm not sure whether or not it accomplished anything, but time will tell. In the attempt to make the process of writing a book approachable, the sheer size of the undertaking presented in this short book does precisely the opposite. That may be a good accomplishment in the long run, however, shattering illusions of writers everywhere.
Since I enjoy Mosley's Leonid McGill series, I was interested to see what he had to say about writing. It is concise and to the point--just write. Every day without fail. Set a time aside from 1 1/2 to three hours and just write. No matter bad or good. Skip the research until the end or you will waste time on parts you may later edit out. The first draft is just that and you will change it many times before the final product. Just write.
A light primer on writing, heavy on inspirational get-off-yer-ass imperatives and light on rudmients. But Mosley is very good at explaining voice, and how description should work, and is excellent at orienting story and description and dialogue and so on where it belongs—in character. It's a very brief book, and just as long as it needs to be. Had it been any longer, I would have completely lost patience.
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Walter Mosley (b. 1952) is the author of the bestselling mystery series featuring Easy Rawlins, as well as numerous other works, from literary fiction and science fiction to a young adult novel and political monographs. His short fiction has been widely published, and his nonfiction has appeared in the New York Times Magazine and the Nation, among other publications. Mosley is the winner of numero...more
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“The process of writing a novel is like taking a journey by boat. You have to continually set yourself on course. If you get distracted or allow yourself to drift, you will never make it to the destination. It's not like highly defined train tracks or a highway; this is a path that you are creating discovering. The journey is your narrative. Keep to it and there will be a tale told.”
—
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