So, You Wanna Write a Novel

And Not Only That, a Thriller

Non-Fiction - Writing/Publishing
128 Pages
Reviewed on 07/02/2024
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

So, You Wanna Write a Novel: And Not Only That, a Thriller by Carl Lakeland is the ideal resource for new writers with structure and advice provided by an experienced author. The book focuses on the thriller genre; however, it is written so that any writer can gain help, guidance, and inspiration via a thorough understanding of what works in writing and what does not. The goal is to help writers who are struggling and those who want to start but don’t know how. Guidance is provided through details that include conceptual stages, publishing advice, and tips on proper grammar. These elements make it an ideal beginner’s guide that will provide inspiration, help, and insights so that anyone can craft a story themselves and, perhaps, once they learn the rules even learn how to bend them.

Carl Lakeland provides clever insights that at times are humorous. Writers can expect to find elements such as the emotional shape of a story, self-publishing, Sagging Middle Syndrome, and character perspective. Carl highlights common mistakes and provides advice on how to avoid or fix these problems in ways that can prevent future mistakes. The author maintains a straightforward tone so that everyone can get something out of this book to help them become a better writer. Each chapter delves into key elements of writing such as different POVs, developing conflict, tense choices, the three-act structure, creating an outline, and understanding melodrama with definitions and examples that support what is said. The organization is simple to follow and can be used in a class or for personal study. The guidance provided is genuine and incorporates the author's personal experiences such as collecting phrases overheard for inspiration. Mini-lessons are also provided that help writers avoid common mistakes. So, You Wanna Write a Novel helps new and inexperienced writers take the first steps in a guide that teaches structure, grammar, and so much more.

Emma Megan

So, You Wanna Write a Novel: And Not Only That, a Thriller is a helpful guide to writing and publishing a thriller. Carl Lakeland shares with aspiring writers what worked for him to help them in the daunting writing process and make it more manageable and enjoyable. This book is about setting up your manuscript, the golden rules of creative writing, the emotional shape of the story, what publishers want and expect and what they're looking for, the two styles of writers, and the advantages and disadvantages of both traditional publishing and self-publishing. It discusses different types of POV styles, the three-act structure, the show-don't-tell technique, the formula for planning and developing your characters, the rhythm and style, and more. It also contains helpful mini-lessons on different aspects of writing.

So, You Wanna Write a Novel is a quick and easy must-read for those who want to understand what it takes to write a killer thriller. Carl Lakeland offers beginning writers the inspiration they may need to complete their first draft and understand how to submit their stories to publishers. In this book, you'll discover valuable information on the tasks of setting up a document in a word processor, the climax and resolution in a thriller, the copyright page, structuring, beta readers and feedback, and writing honestly. Anyone interested in writing novels, succeeding as an author, or about to compete in the action/thriller genre but needs to know how to get started should read this book. It will help them feel prepared and inspired to begin writing their thriller.

K.C. Finn

So, You Wanna Write a Novel: And Not Only That, a Thriller is a work of non-fiction penned by author Carl Lakeland in the creative writing, advice, and educational genres. In this engaging guidebook, Lakeland offers a comprehensive guide to writing thrillers. He covers the entire writing process, from the initial concept to traditional or self-publishing. Lakeland shares insights on what works in fiction writing, emphasizing the importance of understanding the rules, when to bend them, and when to break them for creative effect. The book aims to help aspiring authors craft compelling and thrilling stories that will captivate readers.

Author Carl Lakeland has a clear expertise and passion for thriller writing that shines through on every page of this useful and entertaining guide to writing. His step-by-step approach, starting from conceptualization to publication, made the daunting task of writing a novel feel manageable and exciting, and there’s great enthusiasm and confidence in his narrative tone that is infectious and pleasant throughout. I appreciated his candid advice on the proposed rules of writing, and his encouragement to experiment creatively is a wonderful message for anyone looking to explore a genre that can often seem so serious and rigid at first glance. The practical tips and examples provided were invaluable, making complex concepts easier to grasp, and the work is well-organized to refer to key sections again when you need them most. Overall, So, You Wanna Write a Novel: And Not Only That, a Thriller offers a balanced mix of technical guidance and motivational support, making it a must-read for aspiring thriller writers everywhere.

Astrid Iustulin

Have you ever tried to write a book, but after just a few pages, you realized something was wrong and stopped? Or did you finish your manuscript, but then it was rejected by the publisher? Whatever circumstances you find yourself in, So, You Wanna Write a Novel by Carl Lakeland is for you. Lakeland is a writer, so he has first-hand experience with all the steps necessary to help you with your story. This book, created specifically for people who want to write thrillers, will show you how to set up the work, what to do before writing your novel, and what to do once the first draft is finished. You will also find tips on why you should have beta readers and what to do to get your manuscript published.

So, You Wanna Write a Novel: And Not Only That, a Thriller is a good guide for anyone who wants to write a thriller because it focuses specifically on these features. Carl Lakeland's guidance is useful for new writers, but experienced writers who have written several stories (and maybe have never decided to publish them) will also find worthwhile information in this book. Every chapter covers a particular topic, is easy to understand, and is occasionally humorous. You immediately perceive that the author has personally tried what he recommends. I appreciated Lakeland's insightful examples and suggestions in critical (and often overlooked) areas such as setting up the work and publishing. I am sure this book will be a practical tool for all those who want to write a thriller, and I hope they will appreciate it as much as it deserves.

Olga Markova

So, You Wanna Write a Novel And Not Only That, a Thriller? by Carl Lakeland is an immensely useful, educational, and inspirational book designed to help authors improve their chances of getting published. It is made up of fifteen chapters, each addressing a specific aspect of the author’s journey from a blank page to a complete novel. It covers the core elements of creative writing, such as the emotional shape of the story, the point of view, the hook and the setup, the three-act structure, character development, rhythm and style, the climax, and resolution. It includes very useful examples of progressing the writing from unacceptably boring to suspenseful and engaging. Although it uses thrillers as the model, many aspects of this awesome guide are relevant to any genre.

Once I opened So, You Wanna Write a Novel, Carl Lakeland took me by the hand on an exhilarating journey into the world of creative writing, generously sharing his hard-earned experience as an accomplished author who overcame publisher rejections and writing pitfalls. I enjoyed every moment of this fascinating journey, from creating a publisher-friendly template and developing the characters to winning over writer's block and, eventually, publishing and marketing the novel. Every moment of reading this concise guide to thriller writing filled me with new information through Carl’s personally tested advice and useful diagrams, making complex concepts easy to visualize and understand. For emerging authors, this awesome guide will reveal invaluable creative writing tools. Likewise, accomplished authors may find useful tips and tricks to get their writing to a higher plane of excellence.