Books like Outlining Your Novel — picked by fans

The original Save the Cat by Blake Snyder was written for screenplays but captured the imagination of all kinds of writers, myself included. But often it was difficult to translate to novel format. Jessica Brody’s book is an excellent adaptation of Snyder’s foundation for book people. 

The story structure methodology uses the same 15 beats (plot points) as the screenplay version. I love that Brody uses book examples as even most books about writing books tend to use movie examples. I think some authors worry about following story structure too closely, but I have always felt thinking analytically about story can only improve your writing. It’s only formulaic if you write it that way.

The houses on your block probably all have walls, roofs, foundations, floors, and plumbing…but they don’t all look the same, even on the outside. Once you get inside—all bets are off, right? But they all need… show more.

I loved how this book made me think about why I like stories. What engages me as a reader and excites me as a writer? Why two books with the same tropes can hit so differently. And how to add what the author refers to as “butter” to both the writing and the marketing, which is very important.

If your back cover copy is dry toast, it doesn’t matter how wonderful the writing on the inside is. The author is also very engaging and warm and my favorite, funny.

This is one of the first books I read about writing that gave me that A-HA feeling. Originally published in 1999, it’s still relevant and foundational. What does your character want? Why? And what is standing in their way? It seems like a simple concept, but it isn’t easy! And boy, oh boy, if you are missing one of those elements, it can be the difference between a page-turner and a wall-banger (when a reader throws your book against the wall because you just wasted their time.)

Without really understanding what your character wants and why, writers risk nonsensical plot progression and alienating the reader.

It’s never too early to think about how to actually sell your books, whether you indie publish or pitch to agents and editors. Writing a series is more profitable in almost every genre compared to writing standalone novels. And it will save you much heartache to have a series in mind before you start book one. Trust me. You don’t want to write yourself into a corner in book one that makes book two or three implausible. Think…Star Wars trilogy (the original 123 that became 456 in later years) as opposed to Speed and Speed 2. Which flowed better?

I’ve seen Ms.York speak at conferences, and her book voice is just as candid and engaging. This book covers many business writing/publishing topics but is never dry. From how to use comparable titles to world-building, I find myself returning to this book often.

Another book that focuses on story structure, and explains the difference between literary and commercial fiction without talking down to those of us who aspire to the latter. I found it full of illuminating visuals, excellent examples, and exercises to help me immediately apply his advice. And above all, remember that advice weeks later as I write more and more pages.

It works because he does more than expound. He *engages* the reader–mentally and physically. Reading the book is like taking a master class.

I really enjoyed this engaging plot and the characters have interesting dynamics.

It’s definitely a character-driven story and the dual narration from Izzy and Tristan worked beautifully for me, giving each of them a distinct voice and adding depth as their backstories unfolded.

I especially liked how their perspectives contrasted and played off one another. 

I fell in love with Lizzy and Ciaran as they tried to find their way back to each other after over a decade of not speaking. I loved the glamour of the Cannes film festival, which was a backdrop to the very real, human, unglamorous resentments they were harbouring, and I was gripped by the sense of time running out as the festival progressed.

The flashbacks to their time in France when they first met were gripping, and I was swept away by these two completely believable characters but was also caught up in the sizzle between them, and it’s such a funny, heartfelt book too. 

A book with astonishing imagery and surrealism!

It lurks in the hazy landscape between magical realism and weird fantasy, which is an unusual thing per my reading experience for a coming-of-age story of a girl named Aisha from Mombasa. Her voyage to rescue her father from across an ocean of godlike sharks was a strange and unsettling experience to read.

Certainly one of the most unique (even if, in some fleeting moments, it reminded me of Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea, which I found strictly okay).

This is a brilliantly plotted book with a fascinating protagonist.

It’s fair to say that Cam Killick has issues stemming from his time in the Marines. He starts looking into a decades-old case of a family who went missing on the way back from a party. It was widely accepted that their car had probably crashed into the marshes and had lain there for thirty years. But when Cam finds the car, the remains of the family are nowhere to be found.

I first read this novel a few years ago, and to this day I regard it as one of the best examples of quick-witted and flirtatious dialogue I’ve ever read.

The entire first chapter floored me. But these characters, Celo and Frank, they are not for the faint of heart. Their issues are tumultuous, and they forced me to negotiate the extent of my compassion toward flawed characters.