The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing by Evan Marshall

Title: The Marshall Plan ® for Novel Writing
Author: Evan Marshall
Source: Anna at FSB Associates

Evan Marshall offers easy to follow advice on how to set yourself up for success in writing a novel.  He gives you the basics such as how (and why) to pick a genre, how to determine the number of words needed for the particular genre, character sheet information, mixing point of views, and how to plot in a way that creates tension.  Marshall points out that he can’t help with the hardest part – the actual writing.

Of particular interest to me is the section on plotting.  Marshall’s plotting advice is to have the character do an action in an attempt to overcome the obstacle.  However, the action results in failure.  This can be in several ways… the character has to figure out a new way to overcome the obstacle, fails and finds out about a bigger obstacle or does succeed but finds out about a bigger obstacle ahead.  It reminds me of the first season of the tv show Prison Break.  Each time Michael Scofield figured out how to overcome an obstacle in getting his brother out of prison there was a new one waiting around the corner.  It was so exciting to watch because you didn’t know if the prison system, other inmates or the shadowy organization in the background was going to get in his way.  Marshall includes examples of action and reaction sheets to help with the plotting. 

Another section of the book is an overview of writing mechanics.  He explains passive action without saying he’s explaining it.  It’s a nice refresher.

Now, if you’re unable to keep everything straight with your papers or electronic files, Marshall and Martha Jewett wrote novel writing software to accompany the book.  It organizes the alternating viewpoints and action/reaction sections.  I’ve only seen the screenshots of the software.  If filled out properly it should greatly assist in writing the synopsis of your novel.

Marshall and Jewett are running a Fiction Makeover Contest for NaNoWriMo.  Until November 15th, 2010 you can send them the first 25 pages and a synopsis for a chance at winning the software or a copy of this book.  Good luck!

Evan Marshall is an internationally recognized expert on fiction writing and author of the ‟Hidden Manhattan” and ‟Jane Stuart and Winky” mystery series. A former book editor, for 27 years he has been a leading literary agent specializing in fiction. His Marshall Plan® Novel Writing Software, co-authored with Martha Jewett, is an adaptation of his bestselling Marshall Plan® series. He is the president of The Evan Marshall Agency, a leading literary management firm that represents a number of New York Times andUSA Today bestselling authors.

An award-winning business book editor at McGraw-Hill, John Wiley & Sons, and HarperBusiness, Martha Jewett is currently a literary agent and editorial consultant specializing in business books. An avid memoirist, she blogs at www.writeyourmemoir.com. With Evan Marshall she created The Marshall Plan® Novel Writing Software, an adaptation of the bestselling Marshall Plan® series.

For more information, please visit http://writeanovelfast.com/ and follow the authors on Facebook and Twitter.