This Year You Write Your Novel
by Walter Mosley
Published by Hachette
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Reviewed by Mark M. Owen, Ph.D.
For those individuals who have a novel in their head, but can't seem to get it out and into the computer or onto paper, This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley can help make it happen. This short self-help book, clocking in at about one hundred pages, written by a writer for people who want to be writers, covers from beginning to end the process of writing, rewriting and publishing a novel. The chapter on publishing is only one page long, but it contains honest experiential advice that speaks volumes. The index in the back is a trusty bonus to help readers locate key topics in the text for review.
Mosley starts by explaining the details of creative process, perhaps lecturing the reader a bit too harshly in places, but then he moves swiftly onto the key elements of a successful novel. He tackles the different voices used by authors, the essence of character development and assorted do's and don'ts that can be found in many other How To Write books. Where he shines is in the parts of the book on rewriting and editing. Mosley's answer to the question of 'When am I finished rewriting?' is perfect.
While some people are impressed with heavy self-help books packed with hundreds of pages of information, Mosley has produced a salient distillation describing exactly what needs to be known to get the job done. For those people who want to write a novel, Mosley's book is all they need. But seasoned writers might also want to pick up a copy for the sage advice in the latter half of the book.
Armchair Interviews says: This often-published author and master storyteller tells the important points every wannabe writer needs to know.