Cover Image: Writing Your First Novel

Writing Your First Novel

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Member Reviews

publisher synopsis: Writing Your First Novel succinctly covers all the basic questions to which a new writer needs answers. Author John Reynolds initially based the book on the experience he gained in writing his first novel Uncommon Enemy. His new young adult novel Robyn Hood Outlaw Princess was published in 2016 and in this second edition he draws upon the additional knowledge and experience that he gained.

The content covers a range of key points including: developing the plot, creating contrasting characters, writing effective dialogue, developing descriptive passages, the challenges of writing about love and sex, grammar and punctuation, giving attention to detail, catalyst crisis and climax, resources and sources of support, review and review again, it's finished: what now? selling the sizzle, and marketing and promotion.

The book is written in an easy personal style using excerpts from Reynolds' two novels as well as drawing from a wide variety of writers from a range of countries and backgrounds.

Reynolds is a New Zealand writer, radio broadcaster, educator and filmmaker. He has worked in a number of countries including New Zealand, Australia, England, Canada, Zimbabwe and the USA. He travelled through eastern Europe during the Cold War, western Europe, South Africa under apartheid, coast to coast across the USA, and the Pacific Islands. All these experiences have informed his writing. He has written books, scripts, screenplays and the plot and dialogue for four full-length musicals as well as lecturing on education, writing and the media.

He is an entertaining speaker and has delivered author talks to a wide variety of cultural, social and service groups - in person or at a distance through Skype.

While this book had some really good thoughts and food for thought, the book itself seemed mostly like an advertisement about John Reynolds other novels Uncommon Enemy and Robyn Hood Outlaw Princess. Both were cited numerous times with passages that highlighted a thought or practice that Reynolds was trying to protray, so you got pieces of the books throughout this one. Also, there was a "writing dictionary" so to speak in the book, which could be helpful.

Overall, good content.



I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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This book borrows a lot from the author's experience as a writer and it provides insights on the writing process from the conception of an idea through to publishing and marketing.
I found his short take on pacing to be practical and very key for any Writer because he did not use so many words- he went straight to the point and shared on varying chapters and sentence lengths. I liked that.
However, though great on insights into the writing process, there are very little practical exercises or activities that would reinforce what's shared in the book. This on one hand makes it a good companion because it gives you the feeling that someone's been there before and would boost a Writer's confidence. On the other hand, the book offers suggestions and references to other books- so, a Writer who reads it would still have to read other books and in the world of literature that's the norm.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

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