How to Write a Novel in 20 Steps

by Adam Van Susteren

This book breaks down the novel writing process into twenty manageable steps. It starts with helping you come up with the idea for your novel. Next, it helps you work out your plot and logline. It provides tips for character development, dialogue, inciting incidents, and how to avoid common mistakes. The examples in this book will help you on your path to write, edit, and market your novel.

81 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2018

About the author

Adam Van Susteren has been a practicing civil litigation attorney in San Diego since 2004. He started working on his first novel in 2012 because he felt too many plot-driven novels contained caricatures instead of characters. Inspired by characteristics of two friends, the protagonist of Van Susteren's series is a smart but everyday guy, Aaron Baker. Van Susteren's novels have put Aaron Baker front and center in disputes over monetary policy, immigration, and the question of whether dinosaurs were real. A consistent theme in the Aaron Baker series is the presentation of well-researched information meant not only to entertain and inform readers, but also to inspire readers to learn even more about an issue after they finish a book.

Some think Van Susteren went into writing as a creative outlet when his law practice started focusing on insurance law. Some think it was so he could use it as a pick-up line at a bar. Some think it was to satisfy his desire to entertain and provide information about important issues. Some people are probably somewhat right.

Van Susteren is happily married to the amazing Ann Van Susteren. They enjoy traveling throughout the country and the world when they can find the time. Many of the people and places they encounter have inspired characters and locations in previous books and will continue to provide inspiration. Van Susteren deeply appreciates the support of his wife, family, friends, clients, and readers; without whom he could not have his rewarding dual career as a writer and lawyer.

Reviews

[Travis Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam and I participated in a weekly writing group together. His suggestions were responsible for changing the opening trial from a short scene that made little sense to the book's emotional hook.

I was fortunate enough to read an early copy of this book, and I was so impressed that I bought one for myself. Want to write a novel? Scared? Confused? No worries--Adam has you covered. He guides you through the basic steps of novel writing, from having an idea to the appropriate way to convey body language, to knowing your genre, Adam leaves no stone unturned.

This isn't just for beginning writers either--even seasoned vets will find something useful here. Think of it as both a beginner's guide and a refresher course, and if you're stuck on how to begin or tired of rejection slips, 'How to Write a Novel in 20 Steps' will get you where you need to be.

[Jerry Walch · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Write A Novel in 20 Steps by Adam Van Susteren is a quick but informative read. Like many other books about novel writing, Van Susteren packs encyclopedia knowledge in a book of under 100 pages. How to Write A Novel in 20 Steps gives the reader a good overview of the whole process from finding a story idea to publishing and marketing the book. This book is a good starting point for anyone who wants to learn about what is involved in writing, publishing and marketing a novel, but it’s just a starting point, pointing the reader toward all the things he or she will have to learn and master to be a successful novelist.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appreciated this book

I am preparing for Nanowrimo and as part of my prep I’m am trying to find the best advice on how to complete a writing project. I appreciated the directness and honesty of this short concise book. I’ve taken pages of notes from it and I am intrigued to read “The Dinosaur Lawyer.”

[Gary Galeski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative

I found this to be a very informative read that really broke down a number of points in the writing process. Several of the ideas were thought provoking and made me realize where I could improve in my own writing.

[ronda van krey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely Worth the Read

Extremely well laid out. Thoughful, Insightful and carefully laid out. It was easy to follow and had very helpful tips. I’m so glad I took a chance on this

[Anusha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful, written in simple steps with necessary points, short & worth the time