What do you think?
Rate this book
Take Your Novel to the Next Level: Advanced Techniques for the Fiction Writer
TAKE YOUR NOVEL TO THE NEXT LEVEL presents and analyses tools that will raise the writer's manuscript to a higher level of craftsmanship. Subjects include how to use subtext, how to connect emotionally with the reader, why a sex scene is not about sex, and how to use the echo technique and fiction’s silent language along with other topics that are not usually covered in other craft books.
- GenresNonfiction
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2016
2 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 2, 2017
Very detailed. Full of examples of the good as well as the bad to give you a better idea of what to shoot for in your own writing. Written in a more conversational easy to read style rather than a textbook. Thoroughly researched and flows well. I will keep this one nearby to refer back to for my own writing.
Received a NetGalley ARC for an honest review.
Received a NetGalley ARC for an honest review.
October 27, 2017
Fiction writing requires a lot of craftmanship and polished writing skills and it is never too late or too early to learn how to improve your writing. Take Your Novel to the Next Level by Marjorie Reynolds offers a systematic variety of knowledge about improving your manuscript while considering various aspects such as defined characters, creating an 'unique and intriguing' plot, emotion suspense, tension and realistic dialogues. It inspires the beginner or intermediate writer 'how to breathe life into characters and color a scene with sight, sound, smell, touch and taste'.
It is the kind of book to read with a notebook on your side, as it has interesting and noteworthy details for every stage of the novel development, with detailed examples from classical successful books. Equally, if you are a professional book reviewer, this book provides also directions about how to evaluate the quality of the writing and the eventual flaws of the story.
It not only covers all the development levels to be considered for the first draft, but also has suggestions about how to create and evaluate the second one, as well as a glossary of terms to understand the language of a literary agent or the observations sent by a publishing house.
As there are only a couple of days until the NaNoWriMo - which I might consider to join this year, after 7 years of absence - you still have time over the weekend to read this book and figure out what you want to write and especially how.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
It is the kind of book to read with a notebook on your side, as it has interesting and noteworthy details for every stage of the novel development, with detailed examples from classical successful books. Equally, if you are a professional book reviewer, this book provides also directions about how to evaluate the quality of the writing and the eventual flaws of the story.
It not only covers all the development levels to be considered for the first draft, but also has suggestions about how to create and evaluate the second one, as well as a glossary of terms to understand the language of a literary agent or the observations sent by a publishing house.
As there are only a couple of days until the NaNoWriMo - which I might consider to join this year, after 7 years of absence - you still have time over the weekend to read this book and figure out what you want to write and especially how.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
May 17, 2017
3.5 Stars
TAKE YOUR NOVEL TO THE NEXT LEVEL is very well-written and thorough. For a new writer, this would probably be a book they'd keep close and ready to reference. For an experienced writer, it would be a handy consolidation of what they've already studied.
The author presents an enormous amount of information in a precise, conversational style that never feels overwhelming. It is packed with suggestions for applying the techniques to your manuscript, checklists to keep you on track, as well as lengthy examples from every genre of literature. There is even a glossary of terms specific to the writing community.
I would definitely recommend this for someone just starting out on their writing journey.
But, the subtitle: Advanced Techniques for the Fiction Writer promised more than that to me. Unfortunately, I've read most of the craft books the author cited for examples. I've also attended numerous writing conferences and workshops. I know about the Hero's journey, GMC, story structure and various plotting/pantsing versions of outlines. What I found most useful was a detailed chapter on subtext and a 23 question guide to start your second draft. So, most of this information was review for me and probably would be for most experience writers.
*I received a free ARC from Netgalley*
TAKE YOUR NOVEL TO THE NEXT LEVEL is very well-written and thorough. For a new writer, this would probably be a book they'd keep close and ready to reference. For an experienced writer, it would be a handy consolidation of what they've already studied.
The author presents an enormous amount of information in a precise, conversational style that never feels overwhelming. It is packed with suggestions for applying the techniques to your manuscript, checklists to keep you on track, as well as lengthy examples from every genre of literature. There is even a glossary of terms specific to the writing community.
I would definitely recommend this for someone just starting out on their writing journey.
But, the subtitle: Advanced Techniques for the Fiction Writer promised more than that to me. Unfortunately, I've read most of the craft books the author cited for examples. I've also attended numerous writing conferences and workshops. I know about the Hero's journey, GMC, story structure and various plotting/pantsing versions of outlines. What I found most useful was a detailed chapter on subtext and a 23 question guide to start your second draft. So, most of this information was review for me and probably would be for most experience writers.
*I received a free ARC from Netgalley*
June 21, 2017
I received an ARC copy of this book as a giveaway through LibraryThing. I selected this book to review as I am an author and wanted to see what this book had to offer.
Having already read every blog I could google on the subject matter contained in the book, I can't say that I learned anything new, however, it is a great resource to have on hand to save time when tempted to do Google searches. It is like having all blog resource sites in one tidy little package.
There were some typos with missing periods that could be caught through a copyedit and I did struggle through the long examples on subtext. I also wouldn't have named authors and their works when using them as poor writing examples. They are learning opportunities for other writers, I just would have kept them anonymous.
I can tell that the author put a lot of work into this and wants to see writers improve their work. This book is not written as one that will miraculously fix all of your writing problems but is meant to get the reader/writer thinking good questions to improve their work through application over time.
Writing is a journey. Authors are always learning. Here is another opportunity for authors to consider the areas they can strengthen in their writing.
Having already read every blog I could google on the subject matter contained in the book, I can't say that I learned anything new, however, it is a great resource to have on hand to save time when tempted to do Google searches. It is like having all blog resource sites in one tidy little package.
There were some typos with missing periods that could be caught through a copyedit and I did struggle through the long examples on subtext. I also wouldn't have named authors and their works when using them as poor writing examples. They are learning opportunities for other writers, I just would have kept them anonymous.
I can tell that the author put a lot of work into this and wants to see writers improve their work. This book is not written as one that will miraculously fix all of your writing problems but is meant to get the reader/writer thinking good questions to improve their work through application over time.
Writing is a journey. Authors are always learning. Here is another opportunity for authors to consider the areas they can strengthen in their writing.
July 2, 2017
Beginner’s Guide
Reynolds uses examples, techniques, and checklists to cover the story writing process from beginning to end. Sections on point of view, incorporating a subplot and structuring scene examples will benefit the novice writer. Some favorite sections were when to show and when to tell, why a sex scene is not about sex, and is it literary or commercial.
I was randomly chosen through a LibraryThing Giveaway to receive this book free from the author. Although encouraged, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Reynolds uses examples, techniques, and checklists to cover the story writing process from beginning to end. Sections on point of view, incorporating a subplot and structuring scene examples will benefit the novice writer. Some favorite sections were when to show and when to tell, why a sex scene is not about sex, and is it literary or commercial.
I was randomly chosen through a LibraryThing Giveaway to receive this book free from the author. Although encouraged, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
January 31, 2019
I wouldn't recommend this book for someone who knows their 'stuff' re: writing and who have found their stride, method, rhythm - I did find this book more confusing than anything because it was a whole different approach to the one I use to write (and which works for me!)
That being said, for the writer who is just starting, and the one wanting to polish their skills, then this is a very good, detailed book to follow.
That being said, for the writer who is just starting, and the one wanting to polish their skills, then this is a very good, detailed book to follow.
August 3, 2017
In an effort to return to writing, I completed this book. I'm not a beginner, but this book helped me compartmentalize the preparation and writing process. I will say that I'm "writing advice fatigued," but believe this is a great resource for all authors, especially new ones to use in their preparation. This will definitely be on my "go-to" shelf.
July 4, 2017
I have spent many years learning the craft of writing fiction, studying from a number of excellent teachers. In TAKE YOUR NOVEL TO THE NEXT LEVEL, Ms. Reynolds pulls into one book the most proven techniques and tied them together with her own take on making your novel the best it can be. She demystifies such terms as “show, don’t tell” and “subtext.” Whether you are just beginning your writing career or a published novelist, I believe you will find something to help you take your writing to the next level.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews