What do you think?
Rate this book
Writing With The Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing
4TH EDITION – COMPLETELY REVISED & UPDATED
Choosing the perfect genre for you.
Shaping your story idea . . . with Hollywood in mind.
Developing strong main characters for your story.
Word-length ranges for the most popular fiction genres and subgenres.
NovelMaster, which takes the guesswork out of structuring your novel.
How to interweave plots and subplots.
How to lay out all of your novel’s scenes.
Mastering the five fiction-writing modes.
How to handle story research so it doesn’t slow you down.
50 easy-to-implement fiction-writing techniques from the pros.
A complete manuscript self-editing guide.
How to format your manuscript for submission.
How to approach agents and editors.
Developing a fiction proposal, including the long and short synopsis.
Self-publishing your novel.
REVIEWS OF THE MARSHALL PLAN FOR NOVEL WRITING
This is the book which demystified novel writing for a massive audience, a groundbreaking international bestseller on the shelves of thousands of published authors. The Marshall Plan technique is the industry’s #1 go-to novel-writing method for anyone who wants to write a commercial novel—fast.
In this unique guide, agent, editor and novelist Evan Marshall provides an easy-to-follow plan which simplifies the complex process of designing and writing successful commercial fiction. Now revised, this book includes these topics:
Choosing the perfect genre for you.
Shaping your story idea . . . with Hollywood in mind.
Developing strong main characters for your story.
Word-length ranges for the most popular fiction genres and subgenres.
NovelMaster, which takes the guesswork out of structuring your novel.
How to interweave plots and subplots.
How to lay out all of your novel’s scenes.
Mastering the five fiction-writing modes.
How to handle story research so it doesn’t slow you down.
50 easy-to-implement fiction-writing techniques from the pros.
A complete manuscript self-editing guide.
How to format your manuscript for submission.
How to approach agents and editors.
Developing a fiction proposal, including the long and short synopsis.
Self-publishing your novel.
REVIEWS OF THE MARSHALL PLAN FOR NOVEL WRITING
3.7 average rating, 440 ratings, 55 reviews, added by 954 people, 336 to-reads, 87% of people like it—Goodreads
4.1 out of 5 stars (88 customer reviews)—Amazon
“A down-to-earth approach to completing a novel.” —Boulder Planet
“The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing is a master plan for aspiring novelists. Evan Marshall is brilliant.” —Bobbi Smith, New York Times bestselling author
“A comprehensive manual to writing a novel for all writers—from the beginner to the more advanced looking for polishing tips. Savvy and concise.” —Bill Contardi, literary agent
“Finally, a practical how-to manual for all aspiring authors, written with wit and wisdom. A delightful read!” —Maureen Walters, Vice President, Curtis Brown Literary Agency
“An invaluable tool for the aspiring novelist. An upbeat, easy-to-follow guide that takes the mystery out of writing.” —Alicia Condon, Editorial Director: Fiction, Kensington Publishing
“Evan Marshall has the scoop on making book—from beginning to end and everywhere in between.” —barnesandnoble.com
Evan Marshall is president of The Evan Marshall Agency, an independent literary agency which specializes in adult and young-adult fiction. He has held senior positions at Houghton Mifflin, Ariel Books, New American Library, Everest House and Dodd, Mead, where he acquired national and international bestsellers. The Marshall Plan For Novel Writing is now in its 4th edition. Evan is the author of 10 commercially published mysteries including Manhattan Mysteries and Jane and Winky Suburban Sleuths series, named “Miss Marple Lite” by Kirkus Reviews. His novels appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich, Lilian Jackson Braun, Agatha Christie and Alexander McCall Smith. To learn more about The Evan Marshall Agency, please visit www.evanmarshallagency.com. Visit his author page at www.evanmarshallbooks.com.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
77 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
Evan Marshall
32 books44 followersEvan Marshall is president of The Evan Marshall Agency and author of The Marshall Plan For Novel Writing (Writer’s Digest, 1998), an international bestseller on novel writing now in its 20th anniversary edition. He is the author of 10 commercially published mysteries, Manhattan Mysteries Series and Jane & Winky Series which was named “Miss Marple Lite” by Kirkus Reviews. His books appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich, Lilian Jackson Braun, Agatha Christie and Alexander McCall Smith. You can reach him at evan@evanmarshallagency.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
April 29, 2022
I'm not sure I made the best decision attempting my first planned novel with this book. I had written a few others based on movie scripts as a general template for a narrative, and also a couple without planning (one of which an editor I sent it to for advice begged me never to publish it; my first attempt with no scenes, all summary. Poor editor). The next two I've already planned out (as I'm writing a series for my own amusement, spanning three millennia), and they rely more on free-flow, or the style known as "pantser." I'm pretty much a panster, but I need structure to show me where to go, and some research and idea-generating inspiration to learn how to create fiction.
Marshall's template has a strict structure, based on a choice of character POV's, depending on story length. One must be the antagonist, and one the protagonist. You can include a romantic interest and/ or a confidant. I ended up with 44 chapters, all POV's according to the plan, and found myself bound by my own planning. I almost gave up several times, but decided I could still learn and grow through pressing on. I did learn a lot, on an introductory level, about novels and plotting, and saw it played out in movies I watched and books I read. It opened my mind to story structures and an unconscious awareness of story.
This may, in fact, be a more advanced template to learn novel writing. I've created the next two story templates from "Save the Cat Writes a Novel" and "The Storyclock Notebook." If I could start over I would start with the Storyclock, because it leaves the most freedom for creation. On to the next novel.
Marshall's template has a strict structure, based on a choice of character POV's, depending on story length. One must be the antagonist, and one the protagonist. You can include a romantic interest and/ or a confidant. I ended up with 44 chapters, all POV's according to the plan, and found myself bound by my own planning. I almost gave up several times, but decided I could still learn and grow through pressing on. I did learn a lot, on an introductory level, about novels and plotting, and saw it played out in movies I watched and books I read. It opened my mind to story structures and an unconscious awareness of story.
This may, in fact, be a more advanced template to learn novel writing. I've created the next two story templates from "Save the Cat Writes a Novel" and "The Storyclock Notebook." If I could start over I would start with the Storyclock, because it leaves the most freedom for creation. On to the next novel.
August 16, 2010
The MarshallPlan for Novel Writing, which offers a very clear and structured plan for writing a novel, will chaff at many writers, for it's emphasis is formula, far more than creative inspiration. However, it may be that those writers who really need to read this book. As Even Marshall states in his book, Geniuses who never finish writing their novel, will never get published. And that is Marshall's goal: to help bring an aspiring author from idea to a finished, and published, product.
The book's very precise and structured plan is broken down into simple, manageable steps, which are presented in easy, engaging prose. It's specifically designed for the aspiring writer, who has an desire to write a novel, but does not know where, or how to start.
Some authors, myself included, might not want to follow such a precise plan, such a formalized formula of production. Yet, I think that even seasoned writers would benefit from learning Marshall's Plan, as a thorough understanding of the rules and conventions, is the best palette for bending and breaking them.
The MarshallPlan for Novel Writing is an excellent tool: providing techniques, methods and insider advice. I highly recommend it for the aspiring and seasoned writer alike.
The book's very precise and structured plan is broken down into simple, manageable steps, which are presented in easy, engaging prose. It's specifically designed for the aspiring writer, who has an desire to write a novel, but does not know where, or how to start.
Some authors, myself included, might not want to follow such a precise plan, such a formalized formula of production. Yet, I think that even seasoned writers would benefit from learning Marshall's Plan, as a thorough understanding of the rules and conventions, is the best palette for bending and breaking them.
The MarshallPlan for Novel Writing is an excellent tool: providing techniques, methods and insider advice. I highly recommend it for the aspiring and seasoned writer alike.
May 30, 2017
The Marshall Plan® is a 16-step blueprint for getting your novel written quickly. These steps are broken down into five sections. The first tries to help with deciding what to write and which genre is best for you. Most writers already have an idea in mind when they buy this type of book, but just in case you don't, Marshall explains how to decide. Marshall breaks down the genres, and goes a step further by helpfully breaking each down into different sub-classifications. There are a surprising number of different types of books under each genre.
Section two, the Complete Guide to Plotting, guides the reader through taking a story idea and making it into a plot. Secondary plots, building characters, goals for both the protagonist and the villain, and every other aspect of novel writing are listed. The last section on marketing is one of the most important.
The thing to remember is that you don't have to take all the suggestions. Pick and choose which are helpful to you. If you're a seat-of-the-pants writer, all of the planning and templates won't appeal, but there's more to the book than just Marshall's blueprint. The synopsis information included in the writing plan is a good example.
May 13, 2008
I learned several new things from Marshall's book. I like the section sheets, and how it makes it easier to plot things out. I like the systematic steps he had me take in preparing to write. He also laid out things very well and in an easy-to-understand way.
At times I felt like his suggestions were overly-simplistic. But, given a book this size, I felt like he did what he could in the space constraints. After all, this book is mainly for beginners, and so can't go into great depth on certain things. And while I don't agree with his approach to which sections "must" go where, he did give some very useful tips on plotting and using action and reaction sections.
His editing information was also generally bad advice. However, he is an agent, and not an editor. I find that it is more helpful to talk about general grammar ideas than about specifics, and to focus on the rhetoric impact of choices. I also have a pet peeve about people who leave "little" words out of the text in some misguided attempt to speed up reading or comprehension.
Finally, though, I really appreciated his information on queries and synopses since he is an agent and knows what he is looking for.
Overall, it was a decent book for beginners to use, as long as they do more study and just do the writing to find what works best for them.
At times I felt like his suggestions were overly-simplistic. But, given a book this size, I felt like he did what he could in the space constraints. After all, this book is mainly for beginners, and so can't go into great depth on certain things. And while I don't agree with his approach to which sections "must" go where, he did give some very useful tips on plotting and using action and reaction sections.
His editing information was also generally bad advice. However, he is an agent, and not an editor. I find that it is more helpful to talk about general grammar ideas than about specifics, and to focus on the rhetoric impact of choices. I also have a pet peeve about people who leave "little" words out of the text in some misguided attempt to speed up reading or comprehension.
Finally, though, I really appreciated his information on queries and synopses since he is an agent and knows what he is looking for.
Overall, it was a decent book for beginners to use, as long as they do more study and just do the writing to find what works best for them.
June 12, 2013
This is a nuts-and-bolts, explicitly formulaic manual on writing a novel and getting it published. It is just as explicitly geared toward writing and publishing a genre fiction novel, not some creative work of art, imagination or literary skill. If you're not trying to write an eminently saleable genre fiction novel, this book is not essential reading. But no book on writing is worthless, and if you want any instruction on rational plotting--"section" sheets, "reaction sections," that sort of thing--at least look through it.
January 1, 2023
This book was perfect for me. An organized approach to writing, detailing what you shouldn't forget in a novel. I like step-by-step (if you've read my book Building a Midshipman, you'll understand me), reminders. Sometimes my gut gets off target and I forget things like crises and resolution, tying together plot lines. I used it as a check list at the completion of my novel.
Overall, his 16-step program might be the one book you shouldn't miss.
Overall, his 16-step program might be the one book you shouldn't miss.
April 25, 2012
This is a useful book for (not surprisingly) anyone who wants to write a novel. The sixteen steps approach is a bit too mechanistic for my liking but it is aimed at people who need walking through everything, like a bull led by the nose to slaughter. Saying that, it is useful to have all this detail to refer back to when it's needed.
The book offers a look under the carpet where editors and agents hang out; the view may not be what you expected. The concept of asking a publisher how many words they want in the story, and then hacking your masterpiece to fit it, seems pretty bizarre. The concept that you should set a goal to make your book the right size to fit in a box for delivery is repulsive. Still, the author does admit these pills may be bitter to swallow. It seems they are part of the dark grinding wheels of the publishing industry - the things that crawl beneath the damp carpet.
All these things aside, the book does provide useful information, particularly on synopsis writing, finding agents, and producing a book that from day one is aimed at being marketable. Some of the things it tells you to do, you may not like. Some of the things it tells you to do, you may not do. I suspect that with experience, much of this will be clarified into things for amateurs to worry about, but before breaking any rules, it's important to know what they are - and why you think you should break them.
This book shows one way to write a novel. Just remember it's not the only way.
Towards the end of the book is a section on editing and polishing your work. It lists a couple of pages of very compacted information that in itself is probably worth as much as the previous hundred pages put together.
The book offers a look under the carpet where editors and agents hang out; the view may not be what you expected. The concept of asking a publisher how many words they want in the story, and then hacking your masterpiece to fit it, seems pretty bizarre. The concept that you should set a goal to make your book the right size to fit in a box for delivery is repulsive. Still, the author does admit these pills may be bitter to swallow. It seems they are part of the dark grinding wheels of the publishing industry - the things that crawl beneath the damp carpet.
All these things aside, the book does provide useful information, particularly on synopsis writing, finding agents, and producing a book that from day one is aimed at being marketable. Some of the things it tells you to do, you may not like. Some of the things it tells you to do, you may not do. I suspect that with experience, much of this will be clarified into things for amateurs to worry about, but before breaking any rules, it's important to know what they are - and why you think you should break them.
This book shows one way to write a novel. Just remember it's not the only way.
Towards the end of the book is a section on editing and polishing your work. It lists a couple of pages of very compacted information that in itself is probably worth as much as the previous hundred pages put together.
June 28, 2010
An effective plan explained nicely. Many hate this book because it seems to reduce novel-writing (a so-called art) to a formula. But this is simply one method, and there's no denying that a process is necessary for people who even bothered to read this book in the first place. Why? Because if you're reading it, you're either new at novel-writing completely, having trouble finishing or starting a book, or having trouble selling the one you wrote. Novel writing is a craft. The art is inherently built into the craft of creating your work. Even if you map out your twists and decide on rules for your ending.
June 28, 2012
I could not review a book as thorough on writing if I had tried to search one out on my own. This was given to me to review from my WIN group (I sit as V.P. on the Board) as to provide our writers with a no-holds-barred informative piece of whether it is worth it to purchase or not.
Yes, by all means, PURCHASE! Writers everywhere, novice to "80 novels under-your-belt" writers, will not find a more step-by-step forgetting nothing book of expertise anywhere. Mr. Marshall, my hat is off to you. Covering your writing space to outlining to figuring out a genre and all the way past agents, publishing and what's next. I rarely give 5 stars to a book, but hey, when it has it all...it gets it all.
Yes, by all means, PURCHASE! Writers everywhere, novice to "80 novels under-your-belt" writers, will not find a more step-by-step forgetting nothing book of expertise anywhere. Mr. Marshall, my hat is off to you. Covering your writing space to outlining to figuring out a genre and all the way past agents, publishing and what's next. I rarely give 5 stars to a book, but hey, when it has it all...it gets it all.
July 21, 2017
This was an insightful guide on how to write a novel, how not to get “stuck” in the writing process, how to finish a story strong. I highly recommend this book and the https://www.themarshallplan.net software.
December 17, 2020
Provisional rating
September 4, 2007
This book gets a lot of bad press. At its heart, the critics are right: it presents a formulaic approach to creating a saleable fiction manuscript in your chosen market. The Marshall process guides creation of characters, plot points, chapter and scene structure, and a classic Freitag's triangle of tension.
Like almost all books on writing, this is targetted at the unsusccesful beginner. Talking about your "market" turns some people off right at the start. Talking about word count and outlines loses a few more. But even many experienced writers complain about his clear structure for plot points, which creates a predictable rise and fall of tension; some feel that it take a goodly portion of the art out of writing.
To a great degree, this is the goal of the process: to help a less-skilled and less-experienced writer focus attention on expression rather than plot creation. And Evan Marshal writes cozy mysteries; a pre-structured plot fits his world and that of any category genre writer.
If you're the sort of person who takes learning wherever you find it, though, there are good points throughout the book, ones that you won't find in most writing manuals and that might offer a different way of thinking about plot and structure.
First, he throws out planning by scene or chapter and structures the manuscript around failures which introduce a change in story goal for the characters. With this one focus the book teaches things about plot and/as-opposed-to story that takes a careful reading of many other books to finally find. Because he teaches it in a worksheet format (and sells a workbook of forms as well), he builds habits in the writer rather than discussion too much theory.
Second, he contrasts sections of action and sections of reflection. Certain failures require reflection on the part of a character. This may be alone or may require a secondary character to talk to; it may be an extended break or may occur during a trip across town; it may be an ecstatic breakthrough and it may be a complete breakdown. Marshall takes a lot of uncertainty out of the plotting, but his process does ensure some emotion in the story.
These relationships between story goals, failures to achieve a goal (the classic "make things hard on your character"), change in story goal, and moments of reflection, insight, and expression of emotion are taught more directly in this book than in any of the other dozens of writing books I've read.
Whatever you think of a programmed sequence to create category fiction, Marshall knows something about writing that applies to us all.
Like almost all books on writing, this is targetted at the unsusccesful beginner. Talking about your "market" turns some people off right at the start. Talking about word count and outlines loses a few more. But even many experienced writers complain about his clear structure for plot points, which creates a predictable rise and fall of tension; some feel that it take a goodly portion of the art out of writing.
To a great degree, this is the goal of the process: to help a less-skilled and less-experienced writer focus attention on expression rather than plot creation. And Evan Marshal writes cozy mysteries; a pre-structured plot fits his world and that of any category genre writer.
If you're the sort of person who takes learning wherever you find it, though, there are good points throughout the book, ones that you won't find in most writing manuals and that might offer a different way of thinking about plot and structure.
First, he throws out planning by scene or chapter and structures the manuscript around failures which introduce a change in story goal for the characters. With this one focus the book teaches things about plot and/as-opposed-to story that takes a careful reading of many other books to finally find. Because he teaches it in a worksheet format (and sells a workbook of forms as well), he builds habits in the writer rather than discussion too much theory.
Second, he contrasts sections of action and sections of reflection. Certain failures require reflection on the part of a character. This may be alone or may require a secondary character to talk to; it may be an extended break or may occur during a trip across town; it may be an ecstatic breakthrough and it may be a complete breakdown. Marshall takes a lot of uncertainty out of the plotting, but his process does ensure some emotion in the story.
These relationships between story goals, failures to achieve a goal (the classic "make things hard on your character"), change in story goal, and moments of reflection, insight, and expression of emotion are taught more directly in this book than in any of the other dozens of writing books I've read.
Whatever you think of a programmed sequence to create category fiction, Marshall knows something about writing that applies to us all.
December 21, 2017
This author has a definite idea and structure for writing that is all his own. At first I was turned off by his rigid structure but as I read on I though there were lots of valuable ideas in it.
August 28, 2017
Almost everything about this book irritated me. The author is a literary agent, so consequently knows as much about writing as an art dealer does about painting. Setting aside the fact that this book dates from before the advent of Kindles, everything else written here about the *art* of writing is just so wrong - writing to a marketable genre, writing to a set word count, splitting a book into chapters once it is finished and writing to such stringent formulae that there is no art left in it. He even cites Jackie Collins and Jaws as something to aspire to, whilst everything I ever enjoyed - Catcher In The Rye, Star Wars, Cinema Paradiso, Sherlock Holmes, The Great Escape, The Three Musketeers, King Kong, Treasure Island - don't fit this formula at all. His tips for writing short, snappy, description-free prose style would rule out Tolstoy, Dickens, Dumas, Verne, Hugo, RLS, Zola, Homer, Shakespeare and Milton as no-hopers. Maybe those authors aren't commercial any more. He also suggests to treat yourself to little rewards when you reach a writing milestone, like a new laser printer when you finish a manuscript (no matter how sloppy and rubbish it is, without anyone else having read it). Yeah, let's order a Lear Jet while we're at it. He just doesn't live in the real world. I would be grateful for 30mins of peace while writing, with no Java updates, let alone all these fantasy writing desks, fountain pens and rewards. This book is strictly only any use to those who want to write and have absolutely no idea how, but if you are that clueless, this won't turn you into any writer either. Oh, and btw, Mr Evan, "bulletproof" isn't a verb. 2/5
February 1, 2015
I'm a sucker for books on how to write books. While my style of writing, sitting down and going without a detailed plan isn't suitable for what Evan Marshal presents, I do have to say I enjoyed the book and can see the benefits. What Evan Marshall does is lays out a plan for someone who needs a plan, or someone who has no idea where to go. I have taken certain aspects of the book and introduced them into my own writing, and I love to see how he provides a fairly comprehensive layout determining how long your book should be, number of sections dedicated to each type of character, and some inspirational points for pushing through.
I'd recommend this book to someone who needs focus and an outline, to beginning writers, and to writers who lost, or are searching for their mojo. It's a fun read, and easy read, with diagrams that help a skimmer. I'd suggest it be a mainstay on any writers bookshelf.
I'd recommend this book to someone who needs focus and an outline, to beginning writers, and to writers who lost, or are searching for their mojo. It's a fun read, and easy read, with diagrams that help a skimmer. I'd suggest it be a mainstay on any writers bookshelf.
May 27, 2012
I really loved the book's overall principal in how to write a book. It had great insights especially for a new writer like me. But I think whether you are new or have several published books under your belt, his book would help you in some way. The only draw back I found is the cookie-cutter approach. It doesn't allow for you to deviate from his very structure plan when plotting out your book.
For myself, I took the gyst of what he said and implemented it into my writing. However, I did not make my book follow the exact outline he presribes. Like the old addage says, take everything with a grain of salt and make it work for your writing.
I would recommend this to any writer out there today and I already have several times.
For myself, I took the gyst of what he said and implemented it into my writing. However, I did not make my book follow the exact outline he presribes. Like the old addage says, take everything with a grain of salt and make it work for your writing.
I would recommend this to any writer out there today and I already have several times.
July 21, 2010
This book has the kind of prescriptive, painting-by-numbers approach that would make all my writerly friends cringe. And, being told how many sections you should have, when certain things should happen, and exactly how stories should resolve can be a little cringe-worthy. And it ain't going to produce Art.
It may, however, produce some work-person-like, saleable genre fiction, if that's what you are after. And for a nuff-nuff like me who can somehow manage to get through two drafts of what is essentially a genre novel without ever sorting out the plot, it has provided some useful tools to help me get over my natural distaste for planning.
It may, however, produce some work-person-like, saleable genre fiction, if that's what you are after. And for a nuff-nuff like me who can somehow manage to get through two drafts of what is essentially a genre novel without ever sorting out the plot, it has provided some useful tools to help me get over my natural distaste for planning.
August 5, 2012
I like his approach to planning a novel. He divides the whole process into bite-size pieces. I especially like his suggestions for "Shaping your Story Ideas" and am using his "section" model for outlining my next novel. I didn't like his use of the the word "suppose" in place of the common "what-if" question to move your story action into the next scene, but that's a nit-pick. The book and it's worksheets are useful, if you want to plot a novel.
October 19, 2010
This is a great book. Although I have to admit, the title of it made it sound like a scam, but its actually a great book that tells you lots of secrets to planning out your novel. You won't have a completed manuscript in 30 days like they say, but you will have a completed plot that will allow you to write your book fast. Its great, and it helped me a lot.
September 11, 2017
This book has been my bible for writing my first novel. It provides a perfect framework for keeping the pace of the story hopping while keeping track of characters, when they need to show up and shut up. I also bought the workbook and made great use of it.
I highly recommend it!
I highly recommend it!
March 5, 2024
This book was a recommendation from a fellow writer who has used it quite successfully to write a novel a year for almost 20 years.
There are definitely helpful nuggets about the writing process and how to organize. It is clear after reading this book that Marshall is a proponent of doing most of the writing before you begin writing. And that process has merit with clear results.
I appreciate this information and point of view, which is quite different from my discovery style of writing. After reading this, I have realized the necessity for me to adopt at least some of the pre-writing organization in order to produce well written novels.
This edition (written in the late 1990s) was not the best choice. The entire marketing section is obsolete. No one submits work to agents or editors in this way anymore, thanks to advances in technology. I do applaud anyone who is still using a typewriter with inked ribbons and white out though! I should have purchased the updated version which may be closer to how publishing works in the 21st century. I will look for it in the library to see what the differences are.
My rating is really 3.5 stars because it is so out of date, but I’m sure at the time it was very helpful, so I rounded up.
There are definitely helpful nuggets about the writing process and how to organize. It is clear after reading this book that Marshall is a proponent of doing most of the writing before you begin writing. And that process has merit with clear results.
I appreciate this information and point of view, which is quite different from my discovery style of writing. After reading this, I have realized the necessity for me to adopt at least some of the pre-writing organization in order to produce well written novels.
This edition (written in the late 1990s) was not the best choice. The entire marketing section is obsolete. No one submits work to agents or editors in this way anymore, thanks to advances in technology. I do applaud anyone who is still using a typewriter with inked ribbons and white out though! I should have purchased the updated version which may be closer to how publishing works in the 21st century. I will look for it in the library to see what the differences are.
My rating is really 3.5 stars because it is so out of date, but I’m sure at the time it was very helpful, so I rounded up.
March 27, 2018
I'm still a few writing help guides away from going back to work on my first novel, but I think that the Marshall Plan will be helpful many aspiring authors who are starting from scratch. Actually, I think that the advice on the plan is fairly common - you need to have a plan and map out what you are going to do, ideally before you write yourself into a corner - just as I have done... However, the part that I found most helpful and will likely use right away was Part 4 - Polishing Your Manuscript with the chapter on How to Be Your Own Editor. I don't think that I have seen such clear examples of what to do or not do in many other books that I have read about writing.
Overall, I have some good takeaways from this book. While I think that the section sheets are a bit much for me, the idea that you need to map out in detail what is going on where, when and why hit home.
I think it is worth the read if you want to write something longer than a short story.
Overall, I have some good takeaways from this book. While I think that the section sheets are a bit much for me, the idea that you need to map out in detail what is going on where, when and why hit home.
I think it is worth the read if you want to write something longer than a short story.
May 3, 2020
A lot of people find the book too rigid, but I like hearing from agents and editors--those are the gatekeepers, so they're the most reliable source for what's generally selling better.
I would say most of this book is for beginner writers, and for that it's probably quite good. Even just as a reference book.
For someone intermediate: There is still good stuff to glean, especially if you're interested in getting better at plotting / pre-planning, which was my reason. I liked his section on Action-Reaction more than the traditional explanation of Scene-Sequel.
There's also a lot of practical advice on story length, number of POVs, how to edit, preparing an outline for submission.
I would say most of this book is for beginner writers, and for that it's probably quite good. Even just as a reference book.
For someone intermediate: There is still good stuff to glean, especially if you're interested in getting better at plotting / pre-planning, which was my reason. I liked his section on Action-Reaction more than the traditional explanation of Scene-Sequel.
There's also a lot of practical advice on story length, number of POVs, how to edit, preparing an outline for submission.
February 12, 2021
I just finished re-reading The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing and have to say that it was a much better read every morning while taking notes than trying to read it on the subway as I did the first time.
I think that his sections on dialogue, editing and being your own editor will be the most helpful to me.
While this particular edition is a bit dated 1998, I recently ordered an updated version and hope that it will cover more about the internet and online publishing.
Overall, I think that the book is solid with regards to planning a book and I think it will be quite helpful as I start writing my own novel. Worth the time spent reading.
I think that his sections on dialogue, editing and being your own editor will be the most helpful to me.
While this particular edition is a bit dated 1998, I recently ordered an updated version and hope that it will cover more about the internet and online publishing.
Overall, I think that the book is solid with regards to planning a book and I think it will be quite helpful as I start writing my own novel. Worth the time spent reading.
July 10, 2017
I read this years ago and I'll never forget it! This is the book that took my many unfinished drafts to complete manuscripts. Since reading and following its blueprints, I have never had a problem finishing a draft.
Definitely a must-read for those beginner writers who have trouble finishing a draft because they lose momentum on their books (or lose track of their character's details/descriptions).
Definitely a must-read for those beginner writers who have trouble finishing a draft because they lose momentum on their books (or lose track of their character's details/descriptions).
October 11, 2017
The beginning is good for its insistence on having a focus, and the end is the most helpful in terms of giving a necessary checklist on correcting stylistic errors in a finished manuscript. But the middle is far too mechanical and not really my taste. This book focuses heavily on plotting over pantsing, and even though plotting is important, plotting with this precision can make the novel just a series of events that happen.
August 12, 2018
Overly prescriptive in terms of formula, claiming there is an ideal number of scenes (weirdly referred to as "sections"), viewpoint characters etc according to word count, and dictating opening and closing sequences of scenes. However, there is actually some good craft advice in here in terms of actual writing, if you can look past the formula nonsense.
December 6, 2020
I came across this book looking for a resource for writing students needing to figure out how to weave together scenes to create a balanced, well-paced book. Interesting way of breaking down how to do that into something mathematical and easy to understand.
July 20, 2017
Evan Marshall has simplified the writing process--I am big believer in plotting and this takes away the need for post it notes and index cards. I highly recommend it!
August 25, 2020
This is a great book if you are starting to write and want to know how to weave scenes especially for multiple points of view.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews