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Write Your Novel from the Middle
- A New Approach for Plotters, Pantsers and Everyone in Between
- Narrated by: James Scott Bell
- Length: 2 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
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Publisher's Summary
A powerful secret and a fresh approach to writing bestselling fiction!
What's the best way to write a "next level" novel? Some writers start at the beginning and let the story unfold without a plan. They are called "pantsers", because they write by the "seat of the pants".
Other writers plan and outline and know the ending before they start. These are the "plotters".
The two sides never seem to agree with each other on the best approach.
But what if it's not the beginning or the end that is the key to a successful book? What if, amazing as it may seem, the place to begin writing your novel is in the very middle of the story?
According to #1 bestselling writing teacher James Scott Bell, that's exactly where you'll find your story's heart and heat. Bell's "Mirror Moment" is the secret, and its power is available to any writer, at any stage of the writing process.
Bringing together years of craft study and personal discovery, Bell presents a truly unique approach to writing a novel, one that will stand the test of time and serve you all your writing life.
Critic Reviews
"I need three things before I tackle a new novel: Diet Coke, a laptop, and my dog-eared copies of James Scott Bell's books on writing craft!" (Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times and International Bestselling author)
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What listeners say about Write Your Novel from the Middle
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Jennifer
- 09-14-20
Bell's excellent advice, less well conveyed
I recommend 'How to Write Bestselling Fiction' by the same author on the Great Courses. It has all the advice you'll find here and more with better production quality.
9 people found this helpful
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- M. Clark
- 09-19-19
Practical, brief, and instantly applicable
I had the pleasure of attending one of his workshops at a writers conference and his name keeps coming up in other craft books I’ve been reading, so I turn to this book for some guidance. I was literally stuck with some very basic plotting questions, even though I’ve already written my book. This was an incredibly quick listen, and I generated pages and pages of ideas and solutions to my problem. I also must say that I really like The authors voice as a narrator. He speaks naturally and has a positive, humorous and joyous tone. Definitely worth my time and definitely a book I recommend. I have a feeling this was a condensed version of the actual book, and I really liked how fast I was able to finish it and get on with my book. Unlike many authors, he is respectful of the readers time. I feel everything he said was rocksolid valuable information.
4 people found this helpful
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- KatieJ Kingland
- 02-17-20
On Write Your Novel from the Middle
One of my jobs is a delivery driver and I have had this book, and others Bell has written, on audio for nearly eight hours straight per day for the last two weeks. They’re so clear, so concise, interesting, helpful. I really want to thank the author for how much he’s helped me.
3 people found this helpful
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- Sol
- 07-22-19
The Midpoint: An important insight
Subtracted a point for missing chapter titles, making the audio book less useful as a reference.
About 55% is about the idea regarding the midpoint as a mirror moment, the remainder of the book is about writing a page turner in general.
The information is highly valuable and I enjoyed listening to it. Short and to the point.
3 people found this helpful
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- Draevnn Motkova
- 05-07-20
What a surprise
There are too many gold nuggests of knowledge in this book to mention. The Creme dela Creme is that the author reads his own book to me, this made the information even more real. 5 stars
2 people found this helpful
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- L. Cullen
- 09-17-19
Great info! Could have used a sound editor.
I will be recommending this book to my writer friends, but the audio is fairly inconsistent. Still worth it though!
2 people found this helpful
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- Sabine Chennault
- 09-24-21
Amazing!!!
The book hit home so much that I’m going to completely rework the one I am currently working on. Thank you James.
1 person found this helpful
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- AudaciousMe
- 06-29-21
Get comfortable with this book and STC 15 beats
Write from the middle by Bell is a book I studied and found the Two Pillars in STC 15 beats (break into act two and the all is lost moment) and used Bell's Midpoint "moment" and one day it just clicked. As a "tweener" my writing world became fun again. Buy this Audible Book and just listen, do some light pencil work, stretch your imagination and your story will pop.
1 person found this helpful
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- Lawrence Obisakin
- 02-04-21
Excellent Practical writer’s Teaching
What a practical writer’s manual. It is a very practical teaching resource book fir good writers. Plotters will find it very useful.
Write Your Novel from the middle should be a compelling resource book for writers.
I was impressed by the use of illustrations such as:
* using the image of a suspension bridge to teach structure
*giving practical textual examples on show don’t tell
* teaching psychological preparation exercises for inspiration of writers.
1 person found this helpful
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- Sunny
- 05-01-22
One of my favorites
This book is worthy of reading over and over for all the gold contained within. When it comes to help with plotting, read this first...it's definitely worth every moment of your time. Thank you, Jim for helping me get unstuck!
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- Syine
- 12-31-19
if this was an article, it would be clickbate
dont get me wrong, there is some sound advice and thoughts here. it's worth a read. but it doesn't present an actual idea of writing from the middle. its actually breaking down the idea of starting from either the beginning midpoint or ending based on your heros character. also, dont get the audiobook as the quality is very poor.
3 people found this helpful
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- Angela C
- 12-13-20
Want to write a novel?
Inspirational. Works for me. Wouldn't be without these hot, hot tips. It's short and to the point and if you are writing fiction can only improve your work. Easy to follow and nicely spoken. Not to be missed.
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- JK
- 07-25-19
A Great Guide
Bell is a master of his craft and one who's books on writing I could read forever. This book is great and has a technique I will try myself. The problem with it is the quality of the recording. There is a constant loud hiss throughout, the edits are more than noticable, and you can even hear the keys being hit as if to end the recording process. If the author is going to keep recording his own audiobooks, then great, but he needs a better mic and set up.
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- BillionaireManzi
- 07-21-21
Good extra
Interesting idea and way to go about writing. I think if your looking for another tool in the belt, this is it.
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- John
- 10-28-19
An interesting approach
I would love to try out this method some day. bloody ripper book, mate! XO