Lessons From a Lifetime of Writing: A Novelist Looks at His Craft

by David Morrell

Writer's Digest Books, March, 2002.
Hardcover, 243 pages.
ISBN: 1582971439

Lessons From a Lifetime of Writing: A Novelist Looks at His Craft by David Morrell

New York Times bestselling author David Morrell certainly knows how to craft a novel which readers will rush to the stores to buy. After all, he gave the world Rambo in his classic novel First Blood, as well as numerous bestsellers such as The Brotherhood of the Rose, The Fifth Profession, Desperate Measures and Burnt Sienna. But fans might be surprised to learn that Morrell was a professor of American literature for many years, and is equally at home discussing the classics as he is dissecting the perfect suspense novel. Luckily for aspiring authors, Dr. Morrell has written a new book sharing his insights as an author for over thirty years.

The book is written in a friendly, approachable style -- it is clear why he was such a popular teacher for so many years. In fact, reading the book is like having a one-on-one tutorial with David Morrell. He covers every topic imaginable, from finding out why you really want to write a novel, how to get focused, creating plots, characters, structure, and believable dialogue. He also covers point of view, research, descriptions, writer's block, and how to get published and market your books. The advice is excellent, and Dr. Morrell provides wonderful (and often quite funny) anecdotes from his own experiences as a writer. This is a must-have for anyone with serious aspirations to be a novelist.

Lessons From a Lifetime of Writing: A Novelist Looks at His Craft is available for purchase on Amazon.com

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This review was published in the October - November, 2002 of The Internet Writing Journal.