Écrire Un Roman Et Se Faire Publier

by Bob Mayer, Emmanuelle Debon (Traduction), Emmanuel Plisson (Traduction)

Des techniques pour construire un roman, de l'idée à la publication. L'auteur, certain que ce parcours créatif n'est pas réservé aux surdoués, décrit des techniques telles que l'utilisation du point de vue, l'organisation de l'intrigue, les principes d'un dialogue réussi, etc. Avec des conseils pour écrire et soumettre son manuscrit.--[Memento].

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

225 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2005

About the author

Besides my own interests, I read whatever my wife tells me to read-- she's a voracious reader and has wide-ranging tastes as my reviews show (she also always has the TV remote and she's always right about what to watch). I read a lot of nonfiction, mostly for research. Some of my favorite books are Lonesome Dove, Mystic River, LOTR, and an array of science fiction classics including the Foundation series. Our house is covered with books, although I finally broke down and started reading eBooks, strangely enough on my iPhone. Since I carry it pretty much everywhere, it means I always have an entire library of books with me.

I'm a West Point graduate, former Green Beret and a New York Times Bestselling Author. I've sold over five million books. My newest series begins with New York Minute, a thriller set in New York City in 1977.

I love using history and science in my books. My Area 51 series pretty much had me rewriting our entire history of civilization.

Reviews

[Goodnight C. Lullaby · Rating 1 out of 5]

En tant qu'autrice, je cherche chaque jour à en apprendre plus sur mon art, contrairement aux allusions de l'auteur de ce bouquin (mais on va y revenir). Il m'était donc évident de tenter une lecture.

Dans la conclusion, l'auteur annonce que ce livre n'est pas utile aux débutants·es... Alors du coup, c'est raté. Parce qu'en dehors d'une personne qui vraiment se lance pour la toute première fois de leur vie dans l'écriture, je doute que vous appreniez quoi que ce soit de cette lecture.

Les conseils sont basiques au possible, pas toujours très poussés à l'exception de certains, très rares. Du vu et revu sans saveur, peu d'exemples.

Ce que je retiens : "Faut une bonne idée, de bons personnages, du show don't tell, un point de vue (no shit, Sherlock), et un plan parce que la vie appartient aux architectes. L'auto-édition c'est pas bien, et soyez patients·es". Bien sûr, il en dit plus, mais c'est plat, en surface, vraiment, rien à apprendre si vous vous êtes lancés·es dans l'écriture depuis un moment. Ce qui n'est pas grave ! Mais le public visé ne semble pas le bon.

Rappelons aussi que l'auteur a une image un peu spéciale des auteurices... En gros, nous sommes des idiots·es qui avons la grosse tête, refusons le moindre conseil, la moindre critique, et qui refusons d'apprendre. Mais heureusement, puisque nous, humbles rares auteurices, avons lu son livre, nous avons plus de chance de réussir que les autres (je ne plaisante pas, c'est écrit noir sur blanc dans l'introduction). Ça va les chevilles et d'insulter toute une communauté en se basant sur que dalle ? Le livre a peut-être été écrit en 2017, mais ça fait ultra boomer quand on sait que la communauté littéraire en ligne était déjà bien active et que tout le monde se demande des conseils et de l'aide TOUT LE TEMPS x)

[Agoaye Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Si vous cherchez un livre à la fois décourageant et empli de motivation, c'est celui-ci qu'il vous faut.
Les conseils prodigués par cet ouvrage m'ont fait passer par tant d'émotions contradictoires que je ne sais plus trop quoi faire de mon premier manuscrit...
Ah si ! Embrayer sur un second !

[Quentin Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Other reviewers have mentioned (usually with disappointment) that this book is oriented toward beginning writers, and they are correct. Writing almost specifically for first-time novelists, Bob Mayer imparts a great deal of useful information as well as some entertaining (and sobering) anecdotes.

The book is generally written to follow the process of writing a novel from conceptualization to publication. The individual chapters are internally less well organized, but the material remains pertinent to that particular phase of the writing process. I noticed a handful of minor copy errors, but none so egregious that I couldn't grasp what Mayer had intended to convey. The meat of the book lies in its beefy sixth chapter, with some key insights into characterization that I hadn't seen elsewhere.

The chief weakness of this book is not in the writing, but rather its date (2003). Mayer devotes much of the book to discussing the business aspect of being published, but a lot has changed since this book was written. Many of his observations about the state of the industry in 2003 were prescient; he noted specifically that the chief contribution of publishing houses was to "put books on the shelves" of bookstores, and that electronic publishing was an elegant solution to the problem of managing inventory. With on-demand self-publishing the new norm and the brick-and-mortar bookstores dying in droves, Mayer practically foresaw his own book's obsolescence.

I would recommend this book to new and aspiring writers, with a cautionary note to keep the date of its publication in mind when Mayer discusses the business of writing. Do yourself a favor and borrow it from a library; it is probably not worth purchasing today.

[Suzie Quint · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book. Guess I should have read the Amazon reviews then I would have realized that it's written for beginning writers. Not that that's a bad thing. Novice writers need guidance, too, but there are already so many books geared to them and I've been past that stage for a while, so I look for other things.

Full review at

[Mindi Rosser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm in the midst of this book. So far, I have learned a great deal from Bob regarding my aspirations as an author. He does not fluff this book with false encouragement. He does address the facts! That's exactly what we need as prospective published authors.

[Brentman99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book and was about three-quarters through it before having to set it aside to read something else. When I finally managed to come back to it a few months later, I understood a lot more than my first time through the material.

As a person who is keenly interested in writing a novel and getting published, I think that Bob Mayer's book has provided me with a lot of good advice and things to consider when I start planning my next project. If anything, I will spend a lot more time outlining and plotting than I may have thought was needed.

My only real criticism about the book is that since it was written in 2003, some of the material is a bit dated. For example, the section on electronic books pre-dates the iPad, Kindle and similar technology. I think that Bob Mayer's book would be even better if it were updated to reflect the new devices, as well as talk about Amazon and other sites where you can self-publish.

Overall, I think that the book will be helpful and I will definitely be looking up Bob Mayer's website for more information.

[Eshelle Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so informative that I had to have it. I originally got it from the library and once I started reading, I enjoyed it right away. I am an Author and still seek new information to learn how to become an even better writer. This book told me a lot of things that I didn't know about getting published and how long it takes. what kind of personalities you have to deal with when it comes to getting agents and publishers to give you a chance. I could go on but I won't because I want other writers to buy this book. After I finished it, I immediately bought my own copy to use as a reference. This book offers very valuable information that would be of use to the beginning novelist or someone whom has already been published but has not yet found the success they are seeking. This book by Bob Meyer can help.

[Jery Schober · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful for beginners, some really good advice, in parts extremely repetitive (whole sentences are repeated word for word) and as a whole poorly formatted which made reading not easy (nothing bold, in italics or quotation marks, no bullet points; I had no idea if something was a chapter heading or just random words thrown in, book titles don't stand out).

[Chance Fortune · Rating 4 out of 5]

A straightforward, no fluff novel on how to write and get published as well as how to manage your expectations in the publishing industry. Some of the information in the book is dated and hasn't aged with the changing of the publishing industry in the digital age but a lot of the advice is timeless!

[Chelsea DeVries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob Mayer writes an easy to read and very straightforward guide to writing fiction and getting it published. Each chapter has insightful points. And most of the quotable points are also very comical in the driest sense. I very much enjoyed this book.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a great and interesting book to learn how to deal with editors, publishers and mostly how to deal with yourself.

[Barbara Bengston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good pointers.

[sohail bhatti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay...

[Thomas Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I shan't kid myself at this stage of my life. I shan't likely ever become a published author but I do like learning about the 'writer's game.' I do enjoy writing and crafting short stories and keep at it for my own sense of progress. It is amazing how less stressful writing is when approached that way. There are so many books on writing, whether this book is better than most, I could not say. I liked it and think it will help my efforts. I do refer to this book as I launch into another effort. Good luck to all you fellow writer's.

[Lynn Gatehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob Mayer's book is an excellent resource for writers that explains the 10 tools to use and do to get published. The appendices include sample chapter outline, cover letter, synopsis, resources, story grid and plot line.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bob Mayer's book is a great start for writing a novel. I review it before I write a novel to remind myself of the traits I need to follow and refer back to it when I'm stuck on a scene that just doesn't sound right. It is a powerful reminder of what works if/when you lose your way. Mayers includes topics on characteristics of a writer, tools for day-to-day writing (fairly trite, though i enjoy the entire atmosphere of writing so it was fun to read), what to write, preparation for writing, elements of the story (narrative structure, plot, pacing, etc.), technique (characters, POV, dialogue, setting, subplots). His final chapters on the business end of writing include the submission (process, rejections, agents), your business and the future (ebooks).

He has helpful sample outlines, sample cover letter and synopsis. He also includes a nice sample story grid and plot line.

Overall, he covers the mechanics of writing in less than 135 pages and the business parts in less than seventy pages. That makes it a quick read, and an enjoyable one as it doesn't linger anywhere too long to be boring. Therein lies its shortfall. Nothing is very detailed. For example, there aren't specifics on creating good dialogue or narrative. As a result, it is one of about fifteen books I keep to provide a solid reference on how to perform my art to its best.

I gave this book only three stars because of its title: The Novel Writer's Toolkit: A guide to writing great fiction and getting it published. Often, writing a great novel and getting published are mutually exclusive. Daniel Silva does both with his character Gabriel Allon, but often, publishable books are selected for reasons more temporary than quality of writing, i.e., a popular topic.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this to any author regardless of genre, and or experience. I wish I would have read this book ten years ago, although I doubt it would have had as much of a profound effect on me. Back then I knew it all-- MISTAKE #1.
I will read and refer back to this toolkit (and that is the PERFECT title for it) for decades to come and am already referring to it just days after completing it. No secrets to success, no shortcuts, no magic formulas...Bob is honest, clear and concise while also supporting your creative process and not stifling it. Many books have a very set way--if you do this exactly as they say the result is this--not Bob Mayer. He is in the trenches along side you and he simply shares his wisdom.
If you are a writer and struggling to find your way, or feeling a little lost READ THIS BOOK. If you are a writer who knows what they are doing and looking to improve your technique READ THIS BOOK. I you are thinking about becoming a writer and don't know if you have what it takes READ THIS BOOK. I have never had a book (more like a dialog) speak to me in such a profound way. If I become a better writer it is because of this book. Do yourself and your muse a favor and take the time, it is well worth it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this to any author regardless of genre, and or experience. I wish I would have read this book ten years ago, although I doubt it would have had as much of a profound effect on me. Back then I knew it all-- MISTAKE #1.
I will read and refer back to this toolkit (and that is the PERFECT title for it) for decades to come and am already referring to it just days after completing it. No secrets to success, no shortcuts, no magic formulas...Bob is honest, clear and concise while also supporting your creative process and not stifling it. Many books have a very set way--if you do this exactly as they say the result is this--not Bob Mayer. He is in the trenches along side you and he simply shares his wisdom.
If you are a writer and struggling to find your way, or feeling a little lost READ THIS BOOK. If you are a writer who knows what they are doing and looking to improve your technique READ THIS BOOK. I you are thinking about becoming a writer and don't know if you have what it takes READ THIS BOOK. I have never had a book (more like a dialog) speak to me in such a profound way. If I become a better writer it is because of this book. Do yourself and your muse a favor and take the time, it is well worth it.

[Martin Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob Mayer's The Novel Writer's Toolkit is a nuts-and-bolts primer on how to conceive, plan, write, and get your book published. It's the result of two decades of writing effort by this best-selling author of science fiction, military, and political thrillers, and it continues to be a work-in-progress as Mayer every now and then updates it with new lessons he's learned.

Mayer, a West Point graduate and former Green Beret officer, approaches novel writing with the same minute attention to planning he might use in preparing a military operation. His book includes charts, diagrams, and spreadsheets he uses in plotting his novels which any author, aspiring or published, will also find useful.

In fact, I found I already use many of Mayer's suggestions, so for me, reading his book was mostly affirmation that I have learned the right lessons from my years of writing mistakes. For a new or aspiring writer, this book can save them from making the same mistakes so many of us make starting out. It's also a good reference to refer to whenever you get stuck on a writing project. Either way, Mayer's The Novel Writer's Toolkit should be in every author's toolbox.

[Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

Although written for the new writer, many of the subjects and ideas are as relevant to those like me moving through their second or third novel. Bob talks with passion, and appears a truly thoughtful and knowledgable teacher. The book gives several useful tools to play with - several I had never come across, but as I selected what I found interesting, I found they gave my WIP some fresh gumph behind it.

The text can ramble a bit, putting fresh ideas alongside the author's own history and preambles, and that means this book is not the same as the pick-up-and-browse books which have been prevalent in the how-to-write genre lately. The Writing Tool Kit needs to be sat down and read more slowly, with a highlighter (or e-reader with highlighting). It also needs re-reading from time to time, for further inspiration. Which is precisely what I intend doing with this book.

[Pam Frost Gorder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is for the Audible version.

The author's ideas are good ones, and he goes into a great deal of useful detail. A beginning writer would definitely get a lot of valuable information about what it means to write a book from this title.

That said, if you told me that the narrator was a robot, I would totally believe you. He has a halting and over-articulated style that I found distracting.

[Lorel Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fundamentals

Summarizes about a half dozen writing books. I'm glad I read all of them, but this is a fantastic and succinct reminder of all the key points wrapped in one easy to digest morsel. I think I will add it to Elements of Style as something to re-read from time to time.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book for writers. I use it over and over again. It's easy to follow and very helpful. T

[Elizabeth Engstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book on writing

[Sheila Moak]

I took a class taught by Bob Mayer. It was insightful and productive. He was a great teacher and a nice man.

[Jan Crow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Good solid information.

[Kristen]

I think that Bob Mayer offers some of the most practical and straightforward writing advice out there.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great reference for both novice and expert fiction writers. It's insight and easy to understand instructions are ones that I go back to time-and-time again.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My version of The Novel Writer's Toolkit is falling apart; I've referred to it so many times! This book is especially good for novice novel writers, as it covers a wide variety of subjects.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually listened to the one day workshop with this same title. Bob is a great teacher and this is a great overview of the tools. I'm looking forward to reading the actual book (or eBook).