Has anyone ever read any of these books about novel writing and publishing?

Question

"How to Grow a Novel: The Most Common Mistakes Writers Make And How To Overcome Them" by Sol Stein
"The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers" by Betsy Lerner
"20 Master Plots: And How to Build Them" by Ronald B. Tobias
"78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why It Just Might" by Pat Walsh

I'm just curious if anyone has an opinion on any of these.....

Answer 1

I've read "20 Master Plots" and, while some of the plots provided were more succinctly covered than others, it was pretty good.

I agree with joanmazza (above) that almost anything from the Writer's Digest is pretty good. I also recommend works by Dwight Swain.

Answer 2

I'm sorry to not have read any of those but I would reccomend "On Writing" by Stephen King. Even if you don't respect his work his philosophies and methods can be a help when all else fails. The first half of the book is how he became a writer and the second half is about his processes.

Answer 3

i fairly do not imagine I truly have room to assert that as i have under no circumstances carried out an finished novel. I truly have dedication subject matters. (; i only won't be able to keep on with a narrative, i am going to imagine of a few thing new and that i will not even difficulty going back to the different tale. undesirable habit, which i'm attempting to break. notwithstanding, like I reported, i fairly haven't everywhere to assert that i could write a more suitable constructive tale- a minimum of they wrote an finished novel! yet, I truly have examine memories the position i have reported, "i will do only practically as good, or more suitable constructive! Why do they get to be revealed?!" *cough* Stephenie Meyer *cough*. it may well be tricky, o.k.. notwithstanding it only supplies me more suitable of a reason to artwork flat out on my own artwork so i will blow them out of the water! (: BQ: No, i fairly do not. it truly is form of a disgrace, because it form of makes me a depressing human being to be round now and again. no human being needs to pay interest, and that is tremendous. i have managed this a ways. would it not truly is astounding? Yep. Do i favor it? Nah. BQ2: My superb guy pal, my grandma, my neighbor, a random wonderful guy at this pageant I went to immediately... So convinced, someone has made me smile. BQ3: Uhh, i have only been taking section in with it... Eek! you are able to end it, knock your self out.

Answer 4

I read the Tobias book and it was very good.
Books published by WRITER'S DIGEST BOOKS are quite good, especially their series of small books on the Elements of Writing Fiction -- the one on point of view stands out. These are out of print, but you can find them on www.half.com or other sites that sell used books.
Good luck!

Answer 5

I don't but one book "What is writing" by Jean-Paul Sartre c'd help you more.