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“WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL
Nik M wrote this review Saturday, November 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Donald Maass, the author, founded his literary agency in 1980 and since then he has represented hundreds of fiction writers. He also sold fourteen novels. So he knows what he’s talking about.
A breakout novel is that rarity that goes beyond a writer’s normal output to scale the heady heights of bestsellerdom. The hard part about writing a novel is not simply getting published, it’s staying published. Many published authors are being dropped simply because their name doesn’t move enough units (books) off the shelves. One way to avoid this is to write a breakout. First novelists can write a breakout too – it breaks away from the pack, in effect, so much of what Maass advocates also applies to first time novelists.
Here are only two of the many subjects covered: conflict and viewpoint.
Every book hammers at the fact that the essence of story is conflict. There are different degrees of conflict, but it should be there – even if below the surface. Tension on every page keeps the pages turning. Maas outlines the five basic plot elements. Effective breakout conflict has to be deep, credible, complex and universal enough to be recognised by many readers. Any book is improved if it possesses layers of understanding and meaning. Breakout novels have to possess layered plots.
Viewpoint choice and consistency, forward-moving subplots, narrative pace, voice and endings are all examined and play their crucial part in any book but are essential for a breakout novel.
A guidebook any serious writer will find of interest. At the end of each chapter is a Breakout checklist and it might pay off to copy down those salient points and refer to them during the development and writing of your novel. They’re guidelines. The story still has to evolve from you over the weeks, months and possibly years. But by following these guidelines, your novel is liable to be a richer, more satisfying and more attractive book for any prospective publisher.
Nik Morton
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“Better than On Writing. Actually, that's not really fair. The two books are very different. SK's book is very personal and espouses the writing methods that worked well for him. Donald Maass's WtBN is based on years of work as a successful agent and novelist, and speaks to what makes a book sell well regardless of genre.”
apokalypsis wrote this review Tuesday, September 23 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book is for would-be novelists who have a good understanding of the fundamentals of how to write a publishable novel (as outlined, for example, in Jack Bickham's book, Writing and Selling Your Novel). The author is a successful novelist, himself, and is a literary agent for many other successful authors. He tells you what you must do to take your novel from merely publishable to bestseller potential. Once read, it will be a book the aspiring novelist will want to keep handy for frequent reference.”
Ian A. Paul wrote this review Wednesday, March 12 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Maass theorizes on why some writers remain professionally untapped, wading through midlist careers. His insights into what makes a novel a "good" one vs. a "breakout" seem logical and easy to grasp as he explains himself. There's an accompanying workbook, as well, for the writer who wishes to put his advice into action. I gleaned much from this, and recommend it for any writer looking for more input on honing the craft.”
Jacks wrote this review Thursday, March 6 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“In this book, a literary agent gives his perspective on what an author needs to do, in their writing, to break out of the mid-list and into the best-seller lists. What's interesting is that there may not really be anything new here. It seems as though I have heard much of this advice before. But Mr. Maass presents it in such a compelling and straightforward fashion that it seems new. And it seems right. His thoughts should help me, and any author with their current work. I know I will have to return to this book more than once when I'm ready to take things to the next phase. Recommended.”
Bill Weinberger wrote this review Tuesday, January 29 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Countless books have been written about the writing trade. Few, however, are able to achieve what this book does. In a witty, engaging style, Maas guides his readers upon a journey through the most important elements of crafting, not just a “breakout” novel, but an superb novel. Like so many authors have done in similar works, he discusses premise, time and place, characters, plot, and theme, as well as miscellaneous other factors. But, unlike so many other authors, he does more than simply point out the necessity of such components—he explains, using examples from an array of successful fiction, just how to achieve excellence in each of these areas.”
K.M. Weiland wrote this review Saturday, December 1 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is a great book with a lot of eye-opening helps.”
anemulligan wrote this review Thursday, September 6 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“There are very few books on writing that I would give 5 stars to. Most have a few really good points and then a lot of material that has been covered in a hundred other sources before. Writing the Breakout Novel is useful from beginning to end.
tegeorge wrote this review Wednesday, August 8 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Maass' explanation of the Acts and doorways of a good novel are invaluable. His hints on editing are to the point. His tips on how to make the story move along are also quite good.”
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