The Successful Novelist

By: David Morrell

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

David Morrell, best-selling author of First Blood, The Brotherhood of the Rose and The Fifth Profession, distills four decades of writing and publishing experience into this single masterwork of advice and instruction for fiction writers looking to make it big in the publishing world. With advice proven to create successful novels, Morrell teaches you everything you need to know about:

• Plot
• Character
• Research
• Structure
• Viewpoint
• Description
• Dialogue
• The business of publishing
• And much more.

©2008 David Morrell (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“I found the acute observations and his narrative philosophy more valuable for the new writer than the contents of any 100 other texts.” (Dean Koontz)

“For anyone interested in the craft of writing, from beginners to seasoned veterans, this is a must read.” (Booklist)

“This is the best guidebook to both writing and the business of writing that I've ever read.” (Peter Straub)

As a pro writer myself, this book is dead on

What did you like best about this story?

The author is very candid about what it actually takes to become and sustain a career as a professional writer. Highly recommend to anyone actually trying to make a living at the keyboard.

Great listen for any writer

Although the book is geared toward fiction writers, it has many great points for any writer including screen writers.

The author has multiple published books including "First Blood" which was converted into Rambo - First Blood. This part of the book is my favorite. It explains his development of the book and how the movie was pitched then later morphed into the movie series (much different than his novel).

As a published author, he provides tremendous insight into the world of fiction writing and some of the politics involved with getting a book published and methods some use to become and remain full-time authors.

There are a few sections on different genres and how to select the correct path for a successful publishing.

I listened to it over multiple sittings and there are sections of the book which could warrant having the printed version to highlight and make notes.

The author was a college professor and his education background is apparent (in a good way) throughout the book.

Read twice and learn

Filled with great information for me as I work on my first novel. This is my second reading. I have a greater understanding of his message as I grow and write.













ers

Great advice for writers

This is a great book for someone interested in being a writer and even someone interested in just knowing how writers are able to create page turners. David Morrell is known for writing "First Blood," which is often mistakenly referred to as "Rambo." The tone is conversational and even modest for someone who has written bestsellers. Th book is filled with useful advice and humorous stories.

Did Patrick Lawlor write this?

Firstly, I really enjoyed this reader. There were times where his delivery was so enthusiastic that I thought maybe HE wrote the book. Lawlor was the perfect match for Morrell's direct, clean, and clear prose.

This book features lots of advice and tips on writing the types of books Morrell writes -- thrillers. (I don't mean that pejoratively, if it sounds that way.) There's a good assortment of life stories on everything from Morrell's life before publication up to and including his present day success. I was pleased to hear a few real world figures. He includes statistics on how few people actually make a living as a professional writer. Morrell is one of the few writers to tell you honestly what he was paid for one of his projects. He breaks down the sale and history of First Blood for you.

He has an extended section where he rails against the use of first person point of view in fiction. For a former Literature professor he's surprisingly literal-minded when it comes to a first person story telling. He seems to accept only diary entry or oral history transcribed as the only plausible explanations for how a first person story gets into a reader's hands. I've always taken it as one of fiction's conventions that you were more or less inside the narrators head as the story is laid out for you.

That minor quibble aside, this book lives up to it's reputation and is well worth a listen.

Great Advice

Would you listen to The Successful Novelist again? Why?

I have already listened to this audio three times and I will probably listen to it again. David Morrell, author of First Blood among other books - gives advice I can use every time I sit down to write.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Successful Novelist?

His advice is down to earth, realistic and usable. I highly recommend this book to anyone trying to write a book. It is one of the most helpful books I have ever encountered on writing.

So thankful this book was written.

What made the experience of listening to The Successful Novelist the most enjoyable?

David Morrell writes the type of fiction I aspire to write. This is a gem.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Successful Novelist?

When the author was narrowly saved from losing his hands.

What does Patrick Lawlor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He does a great job. I like his narrating and have had zero issues with it. Good choice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Confessions of a Suspense Novelist... but it really should not be a movie.

Any additional comments?

First, I looked into this author and found that he actually invented Rambo. Wow. Plus, he was unsure about First Blood ever being sold, and expressed the same beginner emotions that everyone probably feels.

So I got one of his books on Audible, "Testament", to find out if he writes the types of books I'd like to write (besides First Blood). Within minutes, I knew I wanted to write gripping suspense novels like David Morrell. "Testament" hits the ground running with a disturbing situation and dramatic question (hook) (Why is this happening to this family?). Yes, I definitely want a book by this author explaining his writing process.

"The Successful Novelist" delivers everything I hoped for. I really liked the information on opening lines and the occasional stories about Morrell's writing career. If you like books on the craft of writing, I think you'll like this book. I'm only about halfway through, and very glad this is a really long book with tons of information.

Excellent book on writing fiction

A very insightful and practical book on writing (primarily fiction) by a highly intelligent and accomplished fiction author who also loved teaching writing as an academic for many years. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to know more about the fiction writing craft and gain insights into the difficulties of publishing.

A must for writers

Any additional comments?

This is essential for anyone who wants to write. The narrator was also superb.

Will come back again & again

Would you listen to The Successful Novelist again? Why?

I'd absolutely listen again. These tips are invaluable, and I consider this sort of a reference book that I'll use throughout my career.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

This book helped me to discover my own plot hole in a book I'm currently working on, and how to deal with it directly. Listening to the author's examples made a direct impact in my own work.

Any additional comments?

This is worth the money, and worth listening to more than once.