First I'll tell you how great this book is and then I'll tell you the tricky part.
I'm not big on self-help or how-to books (okay, not anymore, I swear!), but I picked this up because, more and more, I'm discovering I respond well to a more formulaic approach to crafting my stories, in the way that I've been, and still am, with my poems. Anyone who has taken a writing class or been around me has heard me talk of Hemingway's iceberg - where what we see in the story is 1/8th of the iceberg; the other 7/8ths is the research/thinking/brainstorming/whatever the writer did to bring us the rich characters, theme, and plot line we're enjoying reading (what's below the water line). You may not need to put in anything about your character's political leanings or how they lost their virginity or the first alcohol they drank that made them puke on someone's front lawn, but knowing it in your head and heart will imbue the character and story with a three-dimensionality that is crucial in the world of your story.
This book (the title of which is the title of this posting) helped me better understand my characters in a novel I started (with biography-writing exercises and questions to answer), zero in on what I considered the central, core conflict, and what obstacles might raise the stakes (for me as well as my characters), and complicate things so the climax would be more effective.
I have to say, some pretty surprising and amazing ideas popped into my head. My two main characters fairly detached from me and started interacting on their own in there; talking between themselves about plot points and how they could each drive the other crazy. It was thrilling and a little terrifying to know that I can dip into this book and, after strapping myself in, head off on an unexpected and productive ride.
Now the tricky part - it was written by James Frey (a while ago - 1987). You may or may not detest him for the hoax he and his publisher perpetrated against readers and writers everywhere. I don't agree with what he did either, but when I find something that works I stick with it and pass it on.
Amazon link if you're interested: How to Write a Damn Good Novel
There's a How to Write a Damn Good Novel II out (1994) as well. Use them as you will!
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