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The Extreme Novelist: The No-Time-to-Write Method for Drafting Your Novel in 8 Weeks
Can’t find the time, energy, or self-confidence to get your novel written? Have life’s distractions and demands stopped you from completing the book of your heart? You’re not alone.
Every year, through no fault of their own, intelligent, dedicated writers just like you feel this same frustration and fall short of their dreams of becoming successful novelists. Because they haven’t yet learned the secrets that every pro knows.
The Extreme Novelist’s time-tested methods gently inspire and guide the writer to complete a rough draft of a novel in just two months. Originally, these techniques were developed for a popular course by the same name, taught by the author at The Writer’s Center in Washington, DC. By mastering the simple methods introduced in this book, writers of any genre will commit to an aggressive writing schedule, gain confidence in their fiction skills, and double or even triple their weekly word count. They’ll learn how to deal with real-life issues such as time management, establishing a truly productive writing environment, and getting a book written despite distractions (e.g., the dreaded day job).
Discover the satisfaction of living the life you’ve always dreamed of—as a confident, successful novelist. Become an Extreme Novelist.
About the Author: Kathryn Johnson, professional writing coach, motivational speaker, and author of over forty published books has shared her insights on the craft of fiction with other writers across the U.S. for over twenty years. Her lectures at The Smithsonian Institute, Library of Congress, and for regional writers’ conferences have inspired and empowered hundreds of writers from novice to experienced.
Every year, through no fault of their own, intelligent, dedicated writers just like you feel this same frustration and fall short of their dreams of becoming successful novelists. Because they haven’t yet learned the secrets that every pro knows.
The Extreme Novelist’s time-tested methods gently inspire and guide the writer to complete a rough draft of a novel in just two months. Originally, these techniques were developed for a popular course by the same name, taught by the author at The Writer’s Center in Washington, DC. By mastering the simple methods introduced in this book, writers of any genre will commit to an aggressive writing schedule, gain confidence in their fiction skills, and double or even triple their weekly word count. They’ll learn how to deal with real-life issues such as time management, establishing a truly productive writing environment, and getting a book written despite distractions (e.g., the dreaded day job).
Discover the satisfaction of living the life you’ve always dreamed of—as a confident, successful novelist. Become an Extreme Novelist.
About the Author: Kathryn Johnson, professional writing coach, motivational speaker, and author of over forty published books has shared her insights on the craft of fiction with other writers across the U.S. for over twenty years. Her lectures at The Smithsonian Institute, Library of Congress, and for regional writers’ conferences have inspired and empowered hundreds of writers from novice to experienced.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
140 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2015
About the author
Kathryn Johnson
7 books84 followersKathryn Johnson is the author of over 40 published novels under a variety of pen names. Most of her contemporary novels now being written under her own name, while she writes historical fiction as Mary Hart Perry, on Goodreads as well.
When Kathryn isn't working on her own novels, she loves teaching at The Writer's Center in the Washington, DC area and mentoring other writers at http://www.WriteByYou.com. She has spoken nationally at writers' conferences and at the Library of Congress and for the Smithsonian Associates in Washington.
Her new series, The Haunted Farmhouse Mysteries will have 6 titles, the first being, The Death of a Maven.
When Kathryn isn't working on her own novels, she loves teaching at The Writer's Center in the Washington, DC area and mentoring other writers at http://www.WriteByYou.com. She has spoken nationally at writers' conferences and at the Library of Congress and for the Smithsonian Associates in Washington.
Her new series, The Haunted Farmhouse Mysteries will have 6 titles, the first being, The Death of a Maven.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 14, 2015
The Extreme Novelist. What I learned.
First of all Kathryn you know your trade. Like the painter with the brush, layers, till the dedicated painter - like the writer, finally gets it! All through the book I agreed with everything Kathryn pointed out to the student. Every day, write and write, like every day, I paint and paint. I have every book I can find on Picasso.
First off I am a Panster, it’s great to have these attributes defined right from the start of Kathryn's book.
Plunging into the action of the Hook, glad we made that round! Heave a sigh of relief as new authors, we fell into the trap of wanting to describe back story. Yes you said it, it’s a trap. Kathryn I like the word ‘sprinkle’. Give the reader what want they to know, now they have fallen in love with the character.
I’m hoping in our show and not tell, we are doing all you suggest Kathryn - in dialogue (which I love probably because I’m such a talker, help) actions, thoughts and emotions.
And yes we have a copy of Stephen King’s On Writing, great down to earth stuff, just like the guy himself.
Word count has been hard for us, writing a historical novel but what I have learned from Kathryn is in Chapter 9 - keep it lean and we are still working on it. It has taken years!
The end is like life, Kathryn I agree. Some things just never get resolved but they have to satisfy the reader after all the time they have spent with these characters.
Now that I have read through this, I am secretly inspired that I might be the next JK Rowling. Pick a subject you say that has already been told, but tell it your way. Thank you Kathryn, writing is a dedication, and yes, I felt driven to do it, inspired by your wise advice.
Lynette Hedrick
First of all Kathryn you know your trade. Like the painter with the brush, layers, till the dedicated painter - like the writer, finally gets it! All through the book I agreed with everything Kathryn pointed out to the student. Every day, write and write, like every day, I paint and paint. I have every book I can find on Picasso.
First off I am a Panster, it’s great to have these attributes defined right from the start of Kathryn's book.
Plunging into the action of the Hook, glad we made that round! Heave a sigh of relief as new authors, we fell into the trap of wanting to describe back story. Yes you said it, it’s a trap. Kathryn I like the word ‘sprinkle’. Give the reader what want they to know, now they have fallen in love with the character.
I’m hoping in our show and not tell, we are doing all you suggest Kathryn - in dialogue (which I love probably because I’m such a talker, help) actions, thoughts and emotions.
And yes we have a copy of Stephen King’s On Writing, great down to earth stuff, just like the guy himself.
Word count has been hard for us, writing a historical novel but what I have learned from Kathryn is in Chapter 9 - keep it lean and we are still working on it. It has taken years!
The end is like life, Kathryn I agree. Some things just never get resolved but they have to satisfy the reader after all the time they have spent with these characters.
Now that I have read through this, I am secretly inspired that I might be the next JK Rowling. Pick a subject you say that has already been told, but tell it your way. Thank you Kathryn, writing is a dedication, and yes, I felt driven to do it, inspired by your wise advice.
Lynette Hedrick
May 3, 2020
This is a very short book - 138 pages - which contains a few key ideas about how to write a novel. The first idea is very straightforward, almost common-sense. Basically, you need to rearrange your life to create 90 minutes per day, 6 days per week, which are dedicated to writing a DRAFT of your novel. The other key idea is that you should focus not on writing as well as possible, but just getting words down on the page, and then after the draft is finished, coming back and editing what you have to make it better. I can tell you that from personal experience that, as an aspiring writer, this is the most valuable piece of advice that anyone can give you! Otherwise, you start looking back at what you've already written and get lost in endlessly revising it, trying to make it "perfect." This kills your creative momentum, and you wind up not getting anywhere. So, I would highly recommend this book to any aspiring novelist for just those two key ideas alone. I rated the book 3 stars because it is so short, and with its emphasis on a first draft, it doesn't address all the other issues with writing a novel - but the author does promise to address those in forthcoming books, so we'll see.
January 13, 2019
A good primer on setting time to write, putting your story down on paper (literally or otherwise), and not getting too caught up with stylistic niceties. Write your book in eight weeks. Cleaning up the prose and filling in holes are for the second draft/editing process. Provides plenty of motivation and ideas to assist with sitting in a chair and producing a fist draft of a novel.
November 2, 2020
This short but packed-with-tips book is a must if you are trying to start or finish a writing project.
It is full of new and easy to understand techniques for crafting a story and finishing it. Also, the audio version is great - really fun to listen to while out walking or folding laundry. Very inspiring, too!
It is full of new and easy to understand techniques for crafting a story and finishing it. Also, the audio version is great - really fun to listen to while out walking or folding laundry. Very inspiring, too!
August 22, 2020
Just what I needed to get back into writing mode. Simple approach but effective, joined with tactical tips.
June 14, 2015
I've read lots of books whose stated aim is to help the reader understand and maybe even improve the skills necessary when one aspires to write, to BE a writer. None really grabbed me like this one.
The difference? The author lays out a plan for the beginning or advanced writer who needs a kick in the pants to stop doing "the usual." Instead she urges writing that first draft fast and hard--not with an eey to producing a great novel, but rather a rough draft on which later revision and improvement in made.
Her suggestions throughout make sense to me. Creating a habit of 6-day/week butt in the chair for up to 90 minutes/day gives the reader who wants to be a writer the idea that to write is one's job--neither a hobby nor an avocation when one "has the time." She explodes the notion that a writer must be inspired, and has the time to play at the craft. Instead she states that to be a good writer requires (duh) daily practice doing the job; namely, writing!
From there she moves on to other nitty-gritty issues that probably have plagued all writers, as well as pretenders who aspire to assume that mantel. If you're serious about writing or want to get serious, buy this book, read it and then apply its simple and straight-forward suggestions.
The difference? The author lays out a plan for the beginning or advanced writer who needs a kick in the pants to stop doing "the usual." Instead she urges writing that first draft fast and hard--not with an eey to producing a great novel, but rather a rough draft on which later revision and improvement in made.
Her suggestions throughout make sense to me. Creating a habit of 6-day/week butt in the chair for up to 90 minutes/day gives the reader who wants to be a writer the idea that to write is one's job--neither a hobby nor an avocation when one "has the time." She explodes the notion that a writer must be inspired, and has the time to play at the craft. Instead she states that to be a good writer requires (duh) daily practice doing the job; namely, writing!
From there she moves on to other nitty-gritty issues that probably have plagued all writers, as well as pretenders who aspire to assume that mantel. If you're serious about writing or want to get serious, buy this book, read it and then apply its simple and straight-forward suggestions.
August 1, 2016
This book is chock-full of inspiring pep talks, pithy pronouncements, and practical pointers for both penning and publishing. A few months ago, I attended the author's one-day seminar on Extreme Noveling; this book covers many of the same ideas, and more, in greater depth. I'd give it five stars, except I don't recall reading one very sobering and memorable pronouncement she made at the seminar to the room filled with wannabes: "You are the rule, not the exception." That's only bad news for us wannabes, if we forget it!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews