Writers' & Artists' Guide to How to Write: How to plan, structure and write your novel

by William Ryan

Practical advice from a successful and expert writer of historical and crime William Ryan, writer & creative writing teacher.

Learn the craft of effective storytelling with the Writers' & Artists' Guide to How to Write . Novelist William Ryan introduces the techniques needed to construct, craft and draft a novel. He provides tried-and-tested examples and details on what to consider when writing for any audience, across any genre. Each chapter tackles a key aspect of the writing process, including how structure a novel, develop central and subsidiary characters, create atmosphere and tension, write punchy dialogue and pacey scenes. This is the perfect guide for any writer looking for clear and informed advice on getting their ideas on to the page from the bestselling and trusted creative writing brand.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published July 8, 2021

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name

Reviews

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Ryan demystifies the novel writing process. He's the author of five novels and the topics he covers in this book are all ones he's had to think through with each novel he's written. As such, he has an authenticity that comes from being a working practitioner of what he teaches. He explores the fundamentals such as setting up your time and place to work, conducting research and developing settings, creating your characters, mapping out your story's structure and then fitting your scenes into that structure, then looking at the purpose of dialogue in each scene. Apart from talking about revising what you've written the day before as a way to get momentum into the day's work, he doesn't go into editing. I feel like this is a missing part of the process as having a draft of a manuscript is only halfway to having a submission-ready manuscript.

[Elly Obeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a thorough, well written book about anyone wanting to write their own novel. From the early stages of planning to how to get published.

I found this book to be full of valuable, practical information. I enjoyed how easy it was to read and it was very useful how often there were examples of how certain things, such as writing and formatting dialogue should be done.

I will be dipping in and out of this book many times in the future, I’m sure!

A brilliant book for anyone wanting to write a novel.

[Dannielle Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was A good introduction into writing my first book. However, I did get quite bored with all the examples that were in it. Once it explained a concept it didn’t need 50 examples to follow. I understood the first time.

[Bluebell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, informative book. Although all those grammar mistakes is not a good look in a book about writing!!! 🙄