So my writing buddy and I decided to purchase a few writing instructional/tip books and do a study date. How To Write a Damn Good Novel by James N. Frey was our first read.
While I found the book to be extremely informative for budding writers, most of the suggestions and guidelines were very logical in my mind. I did learn a couple tricks from the book but was turned off by the repeated references from Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. I am not nor have I ever been a fan of the book or movie and after awhile, the near sermon of examples became painfully boring to me.
While I understand the author is a professor and professors seem to “highly appreciate” using references, I found myself longing for an actual example of a paragraph written by the author as a “bad” example then re-written to meet the standards of a “good” example. While I’m not necessarily saying that using reference is a wrong way to write a how to book, I think they should be used in a more active manner. I want to see why something is considered “wrong.”
The book told of the importance of well drawn characters, consistent point of view, conflict and premise; yet it didn’t actually show how to develop a character through actions, dialogue and description. I’m a hands on person so while being given a list of what to do and what not to do is okay, I would like to know how to accomplish the list of what to do.
I was also unimpressed by the box I felt the author put me in, or shall we say constraints. For example saying a writer should never do something, no ifs ands or buts. There were several places where I felt I was being told “now if you do this, you’re wrong and I’ll slap your knuckles with a ruler.” Even though I have only been writing for a couple of years, if there is one thing I have learned it is that there are no rules set in stone. A good writer finds a way to go outside the box and make it work. A writer, especially a writer of fiction, should not be told to “never” to something.
Am I implying all writers should disregard the norm of rules? Am I saying that all writers can pull off writing outside the box? No. But those who can and are talented enough to do so and pull it off should not be told to never do it.
Am I saying I thought the book was bad? No. I’m saying I learned a couple interesting things, the book would be a decent tool for a new writer but the reference and “do not ever do” things were not my cup of tea.
My overall recommendation: Novice writers, buy it and use it for a good base for the path of your career. Seasoned writers, don’t bother.
