How to Write a Novel

I love this book. Nathan's passion and enthusiasm are palpable and contagious. Not only is this guide laugh-out-loud funny and easy to read but also directly applicable. I have been writing for years and years and have been querying for three. I almost gave up but was reenergized by this book and landed an agent. I'm thrilled and grateful to have come across such a gift. Thank you, Nathan, for your generosity of heart.

I'm a professional writer and I've been following Nathan Bansford's blog for about a year. So when I got an email that he wrote a book I thought I would check it out. (The book is cheap.)
I'm honestly amazed at how good, honest and true this little book is and I'm only on rule #10.
I will come back and revise this review after I have finished the book but that may take a while. I plan to read one rule a day and really think about it.
For now, just know that he's right on about writing.

Confession: This is the only product I have ever reviewed without using/reading it first. Nope, have not read this book. It is on my list to buy (and to give as gifts as well). But as a faithful follower of Bransford's blog, and having read a few excerpts he has generously shared online, I can say with certainty that this book should be on every writer's shelf, that it will be an enormously enjoyable read, and that there will be much to take away from it. Not only does he have the experience of a being a writer, he also has the angle of being an industry professional. I know this book will be a valuable additional to my own library, and look forward to diving in.

Nathan Bransford has been an agent and a fiction-writer, and his experience comes through in this book. From the first "rule" of the 47 ("BELIEVE!") to the last ("Obey the Ten Commandments for the Happy Writer," which begin with "Enjoy the Present" and end with "Keep Writing"), this book was 100% encouraging, concretely helpful, and fun to read. It is also easy to read and understand. That's not to say that Bransford says it's easy to write one's novel—he readily recognizes the difficulty of the task. His approach, however, is simple and straightforward, and his illustration of less-accessible rules with popular-culture examples most people will know works very well. I just bought my copy this past weekend, and have already bought a second as a gift for a writing friend.

Excellent "how to" book that covers everything from forming a plot to revising the final draft. For example, two of the rules that I felt were very helpful:

Rule #18: Show Personality. Breathe more life into your protagonist.

Rule #32: Keep Calm and Carry On. When the initial euphoria has worn off, how do you keep pushing ahead?

Nathan Bransford offers advice that comes from his personal experience in the publishing industry and it shows.