No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days

Reviews (See all 68) Write a reviewfor this

It's a hit!

Finding myself between writing projects, I started giving thought to participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which happens every... (show more)

Finding myself between writing projects, I started giving thought to participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which happens every November. In a nutshell, participants hash out a 50,000 word manuscript--admittedly likely to be crap--in a single month. The idea (for me) is to break the habit of constant self-editing in early drafts. This book is like a really funny pep talk for crazy folks considering NaNoWriMo. I read it in a single plane ride and was thoroughly entertained and excited for the project by the time the wheels touched down. Recommended for beginning writers or for experienced writers who just need to shake things up. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook User

No, it's a flop!

Very useful for the purpose of surviving NaNoWriMo and a lot of fun to read. As a general writing book, though, it lacks really helpful advice. You... (show more)

Very useful for the purpose of surviving NaNoWriMo and a lot of fun to read. As a general writing book, though, it lacks really helpful advice. You will find nothing about plot, structure, or characters here. Just how to write 1667 words per day. If this is your goal, then this book is certainly a great help. (show less)

 

 

by Andreas Matthias

More Reviews

• 

  This is written by the guy who started the National Novel Writing Month competition (in which you try and write a novel in a month). Really it's aimed at people who want to do that, with a week by week countdown on how to manage the ups and downs, plot catastrophes, writers block etc. It's written in a very engaging and funny style and though I'm never going to try and write a novel in a month I found the motivational tips quite handy and the advice to just write - keep your Inner Editor at b... (show more)

  This is written by the guy who started the National Novel Writing Month competition (in which you try and write a novel in a month). Really it's aimed at people who want to do that, with a week by week countdown on how to manage the ups and downs, plot catastrophes, writers block etc. It's written in a very engaging and funny style and though I'm never going to try and write a novel in a month I found the motivational tips quite handy and the advice to just write - keep your Inner Editor at bay - and polish later. (show less)

   

   

  by Leigh Chambers on Jul 13, 2009 at 12:37PM

  Already read

  Is this review helpful? yes no
   
• 

  Baty has a quick, light-hearted writing style, which is important considering the task this book promises to teach you. "Heavier" writing books (i.e., John Gardner's _The Art of Fiction_) call out for much thinking through your process. But if you're going to turn out a novel in 30 days, we have no time for that! So Baty's book moves along at a fast clip, which means you can get back to writing your masterpiece faster. I knocked out over 56,000 words in my month, and though the fir... (show more)

  Baty has a quick, light-hearted writing style, which is important considering the task this book promises to teach you. "Heavier" writing books (i.e., John Gardner's _The Art of Fiction_) call out for much thinking through your process. But if you're going to turn out a novel in 30 days, we have no time for that! So Baty's book moves along at a fast clip, which means you can get back to writing your masterpiece faster. I knocked out over 56,000 words in my month, and though the first draft has yet to be finished, there is no way I would have gotten THAT far without Baty encouraging me to get my inner editor out of the way and simply pound out my story. (show less)

   

   

  by Marck Bailey on Apr 11, 2008 at 04:30PM

  Already read

  Is this review helpful? yes no
   
• See all reviews
  Write a review