Writing the Breakout Novel, by Donald Maass and #WM goals
I’ve been talking with a few people about books that help us all become better writers. My firm belief is that nothing helps us learn to write more than reading with an analytical eye. Quantity is as important as quality. The bad ones are as telling about how not to write as the good ones teach us correct principles. But there are some books that changed the way I looked at writing. This is one of them: Writing the Breakout Novel, by Donald Maass.
There is the book to read and the workbook that helps you put his ideas into action.
He gives practical advice on why your book might not be selling, and whether you’re going self-pub or traditional, most of us care about making money for our effort. Some ideas include taking things to the limit and having conflict on every page.
While I think that a lot of what Maass says about how to write is driven by his opinions, he is one of the leading agents in the industry and has a lot of experience with what gets published and what doesn’t. Listening to his advice is worth something. And writing exercises can be painful, but nothing comes free.
#WriteMotivation Goals for Week 1:
Week 1: I am half-way through The Alchemyst, by Michael Scott and half-way through Writing Irresistable Kidlit, by Mary Kole.
2) Post on every member’s blog once per week.
Week 1: DONE
3) Send out 15 agent queries.
Week 1: Nothing yet.
4) Do not get depressed when I am rejected.
Week 1: N/A
5) Finish final edit of TPR.
Week 1: Chapter 18 of 32. I feel good about this.
6) Outline all of TGM. Decide on POV and tense for TGM.
Week 1: Have to finish 5 first.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL MY #WRITEMOTIVATION FRIENDS! I will be seeing you again this week. And I bought Girl Scout Cookies.