Write a Novel and Get It Published: A Teach Yourself Guide

by Nigel Watts

Write that dream novel today! Write a Novel and Get It Published covers everything from story arcs and themes to characterisation and language, and offers plenty of practical advice for when you face that dreaded writer's block. It also gives you practical writing exercises to refine your skills. Additionally, it guides you toward available creative writing courses and plenty of further reading resources. After the reading the book, you will have a solid framework that will give you the knowledge and confidence not only to write a novel, but to be published.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Language, Education, Self Help

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 1996

Reviews

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve just done a re-read of this book and found it just as god second time around. This is a surprisingly good gem of a book for any writer. It's written in a very easy to understand format, tackling all aspects of writing a novel chapter by chapter.

From character development, plotting, believable dialogue to brilliant book endings, this book covers all the basics of what you need to know. I gathered up some really simple, helpful tips from this to apply to my own writing journey.

I believe writing it something you can continuously improve on, a learning journey and therefore reading books like this give writers new ideas, insights and direction. Whether you are a seasoned writer or in early stages of your career, this book will give you something to use. Writing is very much a craft that can continuously be developed and improved upon.

As it's not overly long, nor complex in its delivery I highly recommend this for the novice writer. Much can be gained from applying the techniques taught. So far I’ve only had short stories published and am working on my first novel so this was super helpful.

Well worth a look for all those with the desire to write! novels. 4 stars from me!

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[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good all-round book on writing a novel. It's a book from the 90s so the last pages on publishing and marketing were outdated, but the part on writing the novel still stands - even though there's a lot more talk of pencils and ink and word processors than in most modern books on writing.

I've read quite a few of these kind of books, and while this one isn't extremely thorough, it's a good intro.

[Dwayne Fry · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was younger I wrote a number of stories and novels. I put the craft aside for several years, and have just recently returned to it. Back then I read maybe a dozen books on the craft of writing. I read this one just to grease the rusty gears in my mind.

I do find this to be a great book on writing with some excellent advice for new and rusty writers, but I have read better.

The advice comes at a quick pace, almost too quick. I read some passages two or three times to make sure I caught it all. I read the whole thing slowly as reading at a normal pace made the advice seem to be coming like cannonballs. It is amazing how much advice, most of it fantastic, the author managed to compact into such a small book.

Often times I was left feeling like I wanted a more thorough explanation of the authors ideas, or perhaps better examples from actual books. He often would encourage doing something, then discourage going too far with it. "Do this... but know when you've done it enough..." without illustrating it with samples of writing.

Also, the author mentions being a movie buff and so sometimes when he does refer to stories that illustrate his point, he's referring to a movie and not a novel. In a book about novel writing, it would have been better to stick purely to discussing novels. Granted, movies and novels both have similar functions - to tell a compelling story to an audience - but they are very different creatures indeed. Boats and cars are made to get you from one place to another, but you cannot use a blueprint for a boat to explain how to build a car.

[Rue Baldry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this book stands the test of time well, though, it was written before the Internet, so some things, particularly around agents and publishers, have changed.

Watts writes in a nurturing, straightforward way, sometimes expressing things which could be quite abstract in very practical terms.

I found his chapters on structure particularly helpful. He has a lot to say to beginner writers, but also helpful advice for those of us who've been at it a bit longer.

[Catherine Shattuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're having trouble creating a working structure around your (first) novel, this is a GREAT instructional manual. It really helped me think through plot problems and formulate a plan from what was really just a heap of stuff. I have a feeling it's going to be nearly falling apart by the time I finish writing my first book. Several great exercises go along with each chapter to help illustrate the points he makes, and get you un-stuck.

If you're looking for help with more creative things (style, dialogue, etc.) it's not bad, but there are other things I'd recommend for that.

[Petr Herold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rozhodně skvělá kniha pro každého pisálka, jehož snem je napsat a vydat knihu. Ale není třeba se snažit knihu vydat, či dokonce celou knihu napsat. Obsahuje skvělé informace a rady, co se samotné tvorby příběhu týče a takové rady pomůžou i při psaní povídek, delších i kratších. Také skvěle funguje jako motivátor ke psaní. Stačil vždy přečíst kousek a už jsem měl chuť se vrhnout na psaní.

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book. As I was progressing through the pages, one by one my numerous questions were being answered and my writing confidence was getting a boost.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational book on how to write a first novel. This is the second time I have read this book (the last time was around fifteen years ago) and this time around it made much more sense, having accumulated more knowledge of the subject during those passing years. The book explains the mechanical elements of a novel, and provides chapters on publishing, support and marketing. One negative point (and something I felt several times throughout the book) was when the author/s came across as slightly 'stuck-up' in their wording. You may feel this too should you read the book. But I realised that this 'stuck-up-ness' was more directed towards the fact that writing a novel isn't easy. This is a 1990's book, but the writing content is evergreen. The only areas that may be dated is the text around technology, websites, social mediia. Overall, this is a fabulous book for novel writers and any other type of writer. It contains many amazing and inspiring quotes along the way (all if which I bookmarked), and some of the analsyis done on existing well-known writings is just amazing! Highly recommended book!

[Akinzell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this on the “old books my sister brought from the UK” bookshelf, all dusty in the unfitting company of ten Danielle Steel romance books. The book itself feels a little outdated in the chapter on the publishing industry, but the rest of it offered decent advice in a semi-entertaining coat. I suppose it smelled a bit too much like the same soup I tasted with Robert McKee’s "Dialogue". Some exercises I did while reading (the 8-arc exercise/synopsis/thesis etc) made me revisit my own prose and spot mistakes I sensed were there but couldn’t pinpoint. So yeah, I liked it despite trudging through some boring parts.

[Loona Mets · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for those looking to improve their fiction writing skills.

I liked how simple to read it was, on top of that, it gave some concise exercises to try out techniques described. Watts covers all the most important aspects, such as brainstorming an idea, creating a gripping plot and believable characters, even dealing with writer's block. As I had been struggling to write this book gave me some tools to overcome parts I had problems with.

[Jaroslav · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great assistent not just for beginners. Watts reveales just as much for you to use all the tips and still feel free in creating your own work. It is a brief advice, but that briefness is exactly what serves as a help without being an obstacle or template.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is short and sweet, i.e., gets right to the point. It is wonderful for beginners who want to learn the ropes or advanced writers needing a refresher course.

[Ann-Marie Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a back-to-basics guide that every writer could take something from. Clear and helpful.

[Cage Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and concise - wish I'd found this one first. Worth a few revisits for craft and inspiration.

[Sarah Budd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book for years and must uave read it dozens of times. I learn something new with each reread. Full of concise, practical information on writing.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

For somebody just getting started getting serious with writing, I found this book to be very insightful. I feel that whether you're a beginner or already into you're path as a writer but are just looking for a little extra guidance, this book is informative and written in a way that makes the information and tips being put across very clear and easy to understand. It covers everything that a new writer would want to be informed of including beginnings, plot, character, dialogue, setting scenes and many many other important aspects of novel writing. The book also introduces an aspiring novelist to the lingo of a writer and I love the way Nigel Watts uses quotes from other well known authors to back up his points. I find the 'workshops' and 'snapshots' throughout the novel a huge help to get the writing mind kick started and focused and I also found that whilst reading this book, it encouraged my mind to think of an array of ideas for a plot that I can later develop. Maybe this book won't enable you to immediately write a booker prize winner novel but would any book really allow this? You obviously need skill, motivation and perseverance of your own BUT I do feel this book definitely puts you on the right path for enabling yourself to break into writing what could turn out to be a successful novel with it's idea developing exercises, tips to improve writing style and skills, advice and workshops. I would definitely recommend this book to aspiring writers as I feel this book really encouraged and inspired me to do what I love when I may have been unsure. Brilliant book.

[Killer of Dreams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very concise book on writing a novel. Very easy to read. I would recommend to any new writer with little knowledge on the subject.

My only criticisms come from the chapters eleven through thirteen, which feel out of order and provide help that could have been placed in other chapters.

August 21, 2019
Update
With the adoption of my new rating system, a four star rating is befitting. I cannot recall the contents of this book, but I do recall feeling that this book was a superb companion to writing stories, and wishing that I had a personal copy. A four star rating is a safe rating for now.

February 11, 2020
Update
Though I cannot recall the contents of this book, I have acquired a EPUB file of a newer edition of the book. Reading the titles of each chapter remind me of how compact and exact these chapters were, something that was to my liking, to the extent of four stars. I recall originally reading this book and hoping to map my own draft along the direction of this book, something that I also greatly enjoyed.. Chapter 11 also starts at the 72% part of the book, so criticisms for the later chapter only take up the final 28% of the book. This book definitely reaches at least a 3.5 star-rating. I have changed the color of the rating from grey with a grey outline to yellow with a grey outline.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for beginner writers, as well as those who need a bit of a refresher or to fill in some blanks. It's not terribly long or overwhelming and is pretty straightforward, hitting on a lot of things that I remember learning as a kid in school. It contains examples of what the author is trying to convey, as well as references to other books (many of them classics) that make me want to read those, too (or re-read, in some cases). Provided are examples of exercises for beginners and the book is written in a way that you can pick-and-choose which chapters you actually need to read, making it useful for already established writers. The "Support" chapter is an interesting addition, with optimism and helpful hints to those who get stuck.

The reason for a 4 out of 5: while I found it a good book with useful information, there is still some room for improvement. I did find that sometimes it could have used another example for certain concepts - there could have been a bit more time spent in certain places. In a few other cases, some of the examples included did not necessarily connect in my head as easily as others. But these are minor things, really, and I found the book useful otherwise, especially in terms of needing to analyze my work and edit.

[Ally Atherton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few fantastic and very helpful books over the years on the subject of writing but this is the first one that I feel the need to stick to my desk and have it in full sight whenever I am writing! It is a must read for anybody wanting to progress as a fiction writer and contains more than just the nuts and bolts of what you need to know.


All the chapters are easy to read and extremely helpful and encouraging. I particularly liked the chapters on Plotting and the Eight-Point Arc but every chapter is full to bursting with useful and essential knowledge about writing.





I won't say much more about this book which receives a 10/10 from me because I need to go and fix it permanently to my writing desk, immediately, before I forget.


Excellent.

[Kathryn McClatchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read a more recent edition, but it wasn't on the list to choose. This is by far the best how-to book for an aspiring novelist. Watts is clear in his explanations, thorough in his coverage of material, and gives lots of suggestions and exercises to spark creativity. I found it in the library, but believe it should be the textbook, or at least required reading, for any creative writing course. I have read it twice, and each time it triggered new ideas and applications.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book on writing that I read and I found this compact little book very instructive. It not only gave me decent, solid information that could help me plot and structure my novel, but it gave me both the motivation and belief that I could write said novel.

I still keep this for moments of despair when I need a pick-me-up and kick up the ass to get me enthused and writing again.

By far a comprehensive and inspiring starting point for any budding writer's reference shelf.

[Scott Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a person who is experienced this book is going to be a simple tool to use. For the person who is just starting on the journey of writing a novel. I would call this a treasure. The writing is simple with good examples. The concepts are easy to understand and easy to apply to the project you are working on.

I got this on Amazon for under 1$ and felt it was a very worth while purchase.

[Cal Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good primer and the best place to start when setting out to write a novel. Most of this information I have seen elsewhere, but I wish that I had found this book first to save me some time. It is good for beginners but probably holds very little for intermediate to advanced writers.

[M.J. Mandoki · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some good tips in the book. However, I found that most of it was obvious knowledge. I may be biased, though. I had already had a background and extensive knowledge of essay writing when I bought it. It could be helpful for total beginners.

[Kačaba]

Pokud se psaní "něčeho většího" věnujete, tahle kniha vám nedá nic, k čemu byste sami logicky nedošli. Na druhou stranu je hezké vidět sepsané vzorce jakéhosi "profesionálního spisovatelského chování" a poplácat se po rameni s radostí, že to asi děláte dobře. :)

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book about teaching you how to write a novel. It's a good reference book. I ought to get the 2006 revised edition when I can.

[Justin K. Rivers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple and well-organized, a somewhat useful tome for a beginner, but not for an advanced writer.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely useful! Step by step layout and really good to use as a refrence book whilst writing your own novel

[Elizabeth]

Very helpful!

[Enid Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the advice about editing. It made me think on how I can improve my works.