Donald Maass

In this book, a literary agent gives his perspective on what an author needs to do, in their writing, to break out of the mid-list and into the best-seller lists. What's interesting is that there may not really be anything new here. It seems as though I have heard much of this advice before. But Mr. Maass presents it in such a compelling and straightforward fashion that it seems new. And it seems right. His thoughts should help me, and any author with their current work. I know I will have to return to this book more than once when I'm ready to take things to the next phase. Recommended.… (més)

I really enjoyed the perspective this craft-book gave me on what fiction is. I think Maass's ideas are explained concisely and creatively. I also really enjoyed the example books he gave, and have actually listed the majority of them in my TBR (and the three I've picked up have NOT disappointed!).

I think the only con to this one is that Maass can be a little presumptive at a few intervals, but it's not anything that can't be overlooked. All in all, I think this book really helped me develop my writing style further, and that's worth the cost of this book alone.… (més)

Imagine going into an editorial meeting with a literary agent or publisher and discovering that the person across the table is J. Jonah Jameson, the cigar-toting, belligerent, crewcut who made Peter Parker’s life a misery as a freelance photographer for the Daily Bugle. JJ thrusts his clenched cigar at you and shouts, “High Impact!” It doesn’t really matter what advice you are about to receive. If you are doing X, do Y; if you are writing W, write Z; find your character’s key flaw, repeat it three times and then explode it; yes, explode it! Because what is wanted is high impact fiction.

Of course I have no idea what Donald Maass looks like or sounds like. I’m probably not the writer he is shouting at. (I don’t respond well to shouting.) But if you do see yourself as that writer, then this book will give you everything you are hoping for.

Not recommended for writers (or readers) like me.… (més)