How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-By-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling: 1

I was writing for at least five or six years before I bought this book. The cheesy title put me off. I'd had moderate success but I hadn't, despite investing in countless other books on writing learnt how to properly define and develop a premise or look at my manuscript objectively. Both big problems if you want to write anything well. So I swallowed my literary ego and sought the support of our friend Mr Frey. And he is our friend. This man has named this book in the same way Ronseal branded their wood preservative. It does exactly what it says on the tin. I read this book cover to cover twice, made some notes, took a long hard look at my work and wrote a response to the professional that had sent me some crushing editorial feedback. I outlined my own thoughts on corrections for my manuscript. They were impressed. I was relieved. I've never looked back. If you want to write. If you really, really want to know, you could do a lot worse than to start with this book. It's honest, it's readable and damn it, it's funny. Good luck!

The unpromising title belies a very wise book. I get the impression that James N. Frey has put absolutely everything that is necessary to a novice author into his book and nothing that isn't. It's a completely lean piece of work. What's remarkable then is that rather than reeling off lists of bullet-pointed instructions he's written a charming and witty page-turner. This is really the only book on novel writing that I've read that tells you not only how to write a novel but makes you want to immediately return to your moribund manuscript and pick up where you left off. My first novel has now been submitted...This is the only customer review I've ever written for any product but I really do feel Mr. Frey has got it bang on.

Bought this is a gift and had a quick look. Good ideas and easy format. Sadly the recipient has not started to write his book.

This is the book to read if you are serious about writing damn good novels.

Good but probably not such an inspiration as the first book. Excellent, though!

I actually read "How to Write a Damn Good Novel II" (aka "How to Write Damn Good Fiction") first, and was so impressed with it that I ordered this guide as well. I was sadly disappointed, although it was interesting to see how his ideas have evolved from the first to the second book (he actually directly contradicts himself on a couple of occasions, although on at least one of those, he does indicate that he has changed his mind since he wrote the first guide). This book may be useful for the writer who is a complete novice and lacking confidence, as it lays down some fairly direct guidelines that are likely to prevent the follower committing the worst of potential writing sins. However, it's pretty basic stuff, and the more you write, the better idea you'll get of when you can break the "rules" and still intrigue and entertain your readers. I think the most offputting thing about this guide is the number of times you catch yourself thinking of great novels that have enjoyed both critical and commercial success which appear to break the rules he has laid down. This may be why I preferred "How to Write a Damn Good Novel II", as it seems that he has recognised some of his mistakes in the second guide, and also gives illustrations as to how this or that effect was achieved in this or that well known novel. May be worth a read for context, but I'd recommend skipping directing to his second guide.

"How to write a damn good novel" was the best "how to write" book I have ever read. It is friendly, understanding, and easy to follow, yet it educates the reader to the highest writing standards. Just like a very good teacher should be. I read it a few years ago, nevertheless I still keep returning to it once in a while. Its advice influenced my writing greatly: it made me construct my book around well-defined premises, interest the reader using conflict techniques, develop my own voice as a writer, search for the art within the words, and savour rewriting, rather than complain about it. I found the chapter "zen of novel writing" encouraging as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who aspires to become a writer, or just enjoy writing.

This is a very eloquently written, introductory book about creative writing. The author has a humorous and very enjoyable writing style and you will sometimes find yourself enjoying it perhaps even more than a true novel!! He puts more emphasis on character creation and gives many useful examples and tips from classic and contemporary literature about how to create interesting character interactions and vivid fictional circumstances that will grab the reader's interest. Keep a pen and a notebook next to you while reading it as you will find yourself trying to take notes every 3 minutes..

Very helpful n interesting read

Touches all aspects, uses good examples. Very clear, all round, book on how to write books. I see it as a must have for all wannabe authors and not only.

Ottimo libro, lo consiglio a ogni aspirante scrittore e anche ai lettori più evoluti. Sarebbe da tradurre anche in italiano.

Very impressed with this book on the craft of writing a dramatic novel. James Frey lays out the major building blocks that are required in an orderly fashion with no fluff to confuse the aspiring author. A new, or even an experienced writer could benefit from reading this book on the craft of writing I believe.

How to Write a Damn Good Novel is an excellent read for novelists, especially beginners. Frey has packed this book with actionable information that will help writers craft, well,...a good novel. The book addresses everything from character and conflict to storytelling and dialogue. If you've never completed a novel or if you're trying to polish or rework one, this book is a vital and indispensable tool. Frey is good at instructing the writer, not only on what to do, but on how to do it. He discusses many techniques that are useful for writers, then gives examples showing how these techniques have been used in the published works of successful authors. In How to Write a Damn Good Novel, you'll learn which device is the most misused and overworked device in fiction writing, the three commandments of dynamic prose, how to connect with your readers on an emotional level, how to draft a step sheet, how to determine the best viewpoint for your novel, and many more elements that are critical to writing a novel. *An important note: This book primarily addresses the technical aspects of crafting a good novel (structure, dialogue, creating dynamic characters, etc). I mention this because it seems that How to Write a Damn Good Novel is repeatedly compared to other writing books, books that are more about the emotional and psychological obstacles of writing as opposed to a fundamental discussion on the how-to's of crafting a good novel. As such, it seems that many reviewers are trying to draw an apples-to-apples comparison that is more akin to comparing apples to oranges. In its own right, How to Write a Damn Good Novel is a practical and useful tool to help writers with the technical and fundamental aspects of structuring and writing a good novel. Highly recommended.