Authors: Donald Maass, Anne Perry
ISBN-13: 9781582971827, ISBN-10: 158297182X
Format: Paperback
Publisher: F+W Media, Inc.
Date Published: August 2002
Edition: 1ST
Writing the Breakout Novel
By Donald Maass
A breakout novel is one that rises out of its category and hits the best-seller lists. Maass explains the elements that all breakout novels share and shows readers how to write a novel that has a good chance of succeeding in a crowded marketplace. Then, using several of his clients' experiences, including best-selling novelist Anne Perry, Maass provides insider examples to show how this type of novel can generate agent and publisher interest.
Donald Maass is the author of 17 novels. He now works as a literary agent, representing dozens of novelists in the SF, fantasy, crime, mystery, romance and thriller categories. He speaks at writer's conferences throughout the country and lives in New York City.
In today's world, an author who doesn't produce a breakout novel risks getting lost in the midlist of the publishing world. Maass, the author of 17 novels who now works as a literary agent representing such distinguished writers as Anne Perry and James Patterson, knows firsthand what makes a novel rise above its category in the already saturated book market. Using his own clients as case studies, Maass defines the most crucial elements of a breakout novel a powerful sense of time and place, larger-than-life characters, a high degree of tension, good subplots, and universal themes and shows the reader how to use these elements efficiently to write a novel that will generate interest and have the potential to hit the best sellers lists. Each section ends with checklists for review. Recommended for all public libraries serving communities with struggling writers. Lisa J. Cihlar, Monroe P.L., WI Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Foreword | 1 | |
Introduction | 5 | |
You Have the Power to Break Out | ||
How to Use This Book | ||
Chapter 1 | Why Write the Breakout Novel? | 15 |
The Truth About Book Publishing | ||
The Truth About Authors | ||
The Myths of Success | ||
The E-Revolution | ||
Where to Go From Here | ||
Chapter 2 | Premise | 33 |
The Stories That You Love | ||
Four Facets of Three Great Novels | ||
The Little Components of Big Ideas | ||
Build It and the Breakout Premise Will Come | ||
Brainstorming the Breakout Premise | ||
Chapter 3 | Stakes | 59 |
Creating High Human Worth | ||
Public Stakes | ||
Personal Stakes | ||
Escalating Stakes | ||
Your Own Stakes | ||
Chapter 4 | Time and Place | 81 |
The Psychology of Place | ||
Keeping Up With the Times | ||
Working With Historical Forces and Social Trends | ||
God at Work in the World | ||
The Secret Ingredient | ||
Chapter 5 | Characters | 103 |
Real People vs. Larger-Than-Life Figures | ||
What Makes a Character Larger-Than-Life? | ||
Dark Protagonists | ||
The Highest Character Qualities | ||
Building a Cast | ||
Advanced Character Relationships | ||
Sidekics and Narrators | ||
Depth and Differentiation of Character | ||
Chapter 6 | Plot | 133 |
Conflict | ||
The Five Basic Plot Elements | ||
Bridging Conflict | ||
What is the Worst That Can Happen? | ||
High Moments, Turning Corners, Killing Characters | ||
Structuring Plot | ||
Larger Plot Structures | ||
Chapter 7 | Contemporary Plot Techniques | 163 |
The New Shape of the Novel | ||
The Character-Driven Story | ||
Self-Discovery in the Plot-Driven Novel | ||
Nonlinear Narrative | ||
Tension on Every Page | ||
Chapter 8 | Multiple Viewpoints, Subplots, Pace, Voice, Endings | 181 |
Multiple Points of View | ||
Successful Subplots | ||
Narrative Pace | ||
Voice | ||
Endings | ||
Chapter 9 | Advanced Plot Structures | 199 |
Families, Groups, Generations | ||
Thrillers | ||
Crossover Fiction | ||
Whole Life | ||
Historicals | ||
Out-of-Category Romance | ||
Linked Short Stories | ||
Inventing Your Own Advanced Plot Structure | ||
Chapter 10 | Theme | 229 |
Having Something to Say | ||
Step-by-Step Theme Building | ||
Symbols | ||
Becoming Passionate | ||
Right and Wrong in the Novel | ||
The Protagonist's Declaration of Purpose | ||
What Makes a Theme Universal? | ||
Discovering Theme | ||
Chapter 11 | Breaking Out | 247 |
Agent and Editor | ||
The Pitch | ||
Outlines | ||
Breakout Publishing, Breakout Living | ||
Success, Sequels, Series and Beyond | ||
Index | 261 |