Season 1, Autumn 2013, Book Review #2: How To Fix Your Novel

   As my profile shows, I am an aspiring author, with one main story in the works right now and a whole treasure trove of other story ideas sketched out and storyboarded on paper, waiting for the day they'll be written. Which is why I thought it would be appropriate to review a book that has totally changed my writing process and helped me improve my writing in every way.
   And it's time to share this magic elixir with you.
Enjoy!


PART ONE: THE DESCRIPTION

   Guess #1: You are an aspiring author, stuck in a miry pit of writer's block and confusion. Your story characters are not acting the way you want them to, your plot is a befuddled mess, and what's the point of this story anyway? You have exciting ideas and passions you want to see accepted and enjoyed by other people. But how to get there?
   That's what How To Fix Your Novel is all about.
Acting as an effective First-Aid-Kit, How To Fix Your Novel does just that--it fixes your novel, and introduces you to the best writing buddies you will ever have:

-The Three Act, Nine Checkpoint Story Structure.
-Scene and Sequel.
-Viewpoint and Tense.
-The difference between Plot and Story.
-The Story Elements, Passion, Theme, Flaw and Premise.
-How to Publish and Market your novel.

...And a whole LOT more (Literally. Trust me on this)!
From start to finish, How To Fix Your Novel guides you, step-by-step, through the writing process, and hands you the keys to successful writing, batteries included.
    You'll start at your Passion, discovering what personal ideas and feelings you want to convey through your story, which manifests as the Theme of the story, the sweet after-taste that your reader will carry with them long after they've set the book down. But what will convey that Theme? Why, your protagonist, of course! And what better way to show the Theme than by giving your protagonist a Flaw that directly opposes it? The Premise gives you a single question to play with: What if..? And from that stems the Story.
   Insert Nine Checkpoint, Three Act Outline.

-Hook.
-Backstory.
-Trigger.
-Crisis.
-Struggle.
-Epiphany.
-Plan.
-Climax.
-Catharsis (Ending).

With these tools alone, How To Fix Your Novel solves the great writing puzzle for you and sets you on a clear course for success. What story will you tell?


PART TWO: THE REVIEW

   I had the privilege of attending two online writing classes by the author of How To Fix Your Novel, Steve Alcorn (By the way, I highly recommend his class Write Like a Pro, along with Advanced Fiction Writing, both of which can be found on ed2go.com). There is nothing like having real correspondence with Mr. Alcorn, but truth be told, he answers every question in his book.
   It's all there. Everything you need to know about writing, every question you have, every tough equation is solved. Honestly, I would call it the Writer's Bible. Yeah. Go ahead and laugh. You're the one who'll regret it later. Trust me.
   Mr. Alcorn writes in a vivid, detailed and fun way, explaining perfectly every topic he introduces. To me, it feels like you're having a conversation with him while reading it, and learning all you need to know from him. Like Frodo and Gandalf. Or something like that.
   I have applied everything I've learned from How To Fix Your Novel to one of my stories and am well into writing the first draft now. I haven't gotten bored with my story, asked myself where it's going, or struggled to find inspiration for it since I read this book. I really do feel like I've been handed the keys to writing 'Big and Writing Well' as he describes it, and I look forward to applying everything I've learned to every new story I write in the future! So just as a shout out to my fellow writers: Start right here, and stop looking for help!


PART THREE: CONTENT REPORT

   Steve Alcorn uses sections of his favorite books to show his teachings applied to them. One in particular contains a short sentence of inappropriate description in it, and maybe one or more contain a mild curse or slang word. Other than that, the rest is sheer learning. I recommend the book for mid or late teens and adults.

PART FOUR: RATING AND CONCLUSION

   By the way I've described How To Fix Your Novel, I bet you've guessed I give it five stars. And...You'd be exactly right. Good guess. And speaking of guesses:

Guess #2 (And last): I guess (And am willing to bet) that you will learn all you need to know about writing and then some, and that from here on out, you won't ever worry about where your story is going or what it's about.

   So, with that being said....What are you waiting for? Go get a copy, and watch your writing talent explode!
Peace.
Matt~