2008-02-15 Excellent info on how to improve your novel writing

I've read and studied around twenty writing `how-to' books. This excellent little book is one of the best. It gives insight into modern story structure and the all-important beginning ( incuding why it's important, as seen from an agents/editors point of view .)

The author Les Edgerton is an experienced and successful writer. ( See 'lesedgerton.com' .) He explains how an `inciting incident' turns the MC's world upside down, and shows how this and other surface problems link to a deeper `story-worthy problem'.

His style is encouraging but not patronising, and topics are well explained with reference to current books and films. He gives two levels of explanation: the topic and why it's important, then examples and tips on applying the topic to your own work.

In one chapter agents and editors describe mistakes writers make with story beginnings, and offer examples of strong beginnings, but the book is not just about beginnings, it also covers: set-up and back-story, introducing your character, how to use active description, trusting the reader's intelligence, openings to avoid, and offers tips on foreshadowing, transitions and jump-cuts.

He explains about `BookScan' ( a global system which tells booksellers and publishers the titles that readers are buying right now ) and how it influences the type of stories publishers will buy.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve her/his chances of getting a novel accepted. ( See also the excellent 'Lights! Camera! Fiction!' by Alfie Thompson )