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Breakout Novel
Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook: Hands-On Help for Making Your Novel Stand Out and Succeed
Make Your Novel Stand Out from the Crowd!
Noted literary agent and author Donald Maass has done it again! His previous book, "Writing the Breakout Novel," offered novelists of all skill levels and genres insider advice on how to make their books rise above the competition and succeed in a crowded marketplace.
Now, building on the success of its predecessor, "Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook" calls that advice into action! This powerful book presents the patented techniques and writing exercises from Maass's popular writing workshops to offer novelists first-class instruction and practical guidance. You'll learn to develop and strengthen aspects of your prose with sections on:
Building plot layers
Creating inner conflict
Strengthening voice and point of view
Discovering and heightening larger-than-life character qualities
Strengthening theme
And much more!
Maass also carefully dissects examples from real-life breakout novels so you'll lean how to read and analyze fiction like a writer. With authoritative instruction and hands-on workbook exercises, "Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook" is one of the most accessible novel-writing guides available.
Set your work-in progress apart from the competition and write your own breakout novel today!
Noted literary agent and author Donald Maass has done it again! His previous book, "Writing the Breakout Novel," offered novelists of all skill levels and genres insider advice on how to make their books rise above the competition and succeed in a crowded marketplace.
Now, building on the success of its predecessor, "Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook" calls that advice into action! This powerful book presents the patented techniques and writing exercises from Maass's popular writing workshops to offer novelists first-class instruction and practical guidance. You'll learn to develop and strengthen aspects of your prose with sections on:
Building plot layers
Creating inner conflict
Strengthening voice and point of view
Discovering and heightening larger-than-life character qualities
Strengthening theme
And much more!
Maass also carefully dissects examples from real-life breakout novels so you'll lean how to read and analyze fiction like a writer. With authoritative instruction and hands-on workbook exercises, "Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook" is one of the most accessible novel-writing guides available.
Set your work-in progress apart from the competition and write your own breakout novel today!
240 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2004
51 people are currently reading
1,153 people want to read
About the author
Donald Maass
19 books207 followersDonald Maass is the author of more than 16 novels. He now works as a literary agent, representing dozens of novelists in the SF, fantasy, crime, mystery, romance and thriller categories. He speaks at writer's conferences throughout the country and lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
September 20, 2008
This has to be, by far, my favorite writing-craft book ever. Don't read it unless you plan to make your book incredible. You've been warned.
Each chapter starts with a short article about a given aspect of breakout-fiction. (Breakout meaning bestseller, critically acclaimed, etc.) Donald spends the other half of the chapter with an exercise on that given topic. Exercises ask you questions, such as, "how can you raise your main character's stakes?" and then has you do - "find five ways to raise your MC's stakes even higher than they already are. Think of five more. Think of five more on top of that." Each chapter is literally a revelation. The cool thing is, you don't need to read "Writing the Breakout Novel" to understand the lessons. (Though I recommend it.)
I ordered this workbook by accident, confusing it with Donald Maass' "writing the breakout novel." Maybe it's that I don't usually read workbooks, but this one really pointed out so much I could do for my novel. I ordered it through the library system, so I only got about halfway through the workbook before having to return it. That's okay. It's on my "to-buy" list now, and I highly, *highly* recommend that anyone who's a novelist should check it out.
Each chapter starts with a short article about a given aspect of breakout-fiction. (Breakout meaning bestseller, critically acclaimed, etc.) Donald spends the other half of the chapter with an exercise on that given topic. Exercises ask you questions, such as, "how can you raise your main character's stakes?" and then has you do - "find five ways to raise your MC's stakes even higher than they already are. Think of five more. Think of five more on top of that." Each chapter is literally a revelation. The cool thing is, you don't need to read "Writing the Breakout Novel" to understand the lessons. (Though I recommend it.)
I ordered this workbook by accident, confusing it with Donald Maass' "writing the breakout novel." Maybe it's that I don't usually read workbooks, but this one really pointed out so much I could do for my novel. I ordered it through the library system, so I only got about halfway through the workbook before having to return it. That's okay. It's on my "to-buy" list now, and I highly, *highly* recommend that anyone who's a novelist should check it out.
June 7, 2010
Excellent Workbook--
Because of his other great books on writing, I hold Donald Maass's books to the highest standards. And this book did not disappoint.
Doing all the exercises will take a long time, but it's definitely worth it. Though I've completely only those exercises I thought were most important and relevant to my novel in progress, they gave me powerful ideas to turbocharge the story.
Most useful for me were those on creating inner conflicts, showing extra dimensions, layering storylines, enriching the cast, and complicating the main problem.
The only problem with this book, however, is that the exercises and chapters are organized in a more or less random order (albeit they are somewhat arbitrarily divided into "Character Development," "Plot Development," and "General Story Techniques") . The upshot is that while there are exercises that make cosmetic improvements of your story, following the exercises will make it necessary for you to do a complete overhaul of your novel, which basically amounts to writing the whole thing from scratch.
Now, this can be spared if you've done some of the exercises like plot development ones PRIOR to setting out to write your novel. It follows that it would've been a lot more helpful if he had arranged the chapters in the order stories are written; viz., some plot and character development exercises and a few story techniques behooves you to completely change the novel, so these should come first, while those exercises that improve your story cosmetically and do not require a complete overhaul, should come later.
I have personally listed them in such an order, and the list will definitely help me tremendously for the next work. Right now, I'm rewriting the whole damn thing from scratch and kicking myself for not having found the book earlier when I was starting to write.
Definitely recommended.
Because of his other great books on writing, I hold Donald Maass's books to the highest standards. And this book did not disappoint.
Doing all the exercises will take a long time, but it's definitely worth it. Though I've completely only those exercises I thought were most important and relevant to my novel in progress, they gave me powerful ideas to turbocharge the story.
Most useful for me were those on creating inner conflicts, showing extra dimensions, layering storylines, enriching the cast, and complicating the main problem.
The only problem with this book, however, is that the exercises and chapters are organized in a more or less random order (albeit they are somewhat arbitrarily divided into "Character Development," "Plot Development," and "General Story Techniques") . The upshot is that while there are exercises that make cosmetic improvements of your story, following the exercises will make it necessary for you to do a complete overhaul of your novel, which basically amounts to writing the whole thing from scratch.
Now, this can be spared if you've done some of the exercises like plot development ones PRIOR to setting out to write your novel. It follows that it would've been a lot more helpful if he had arranged the chapters in the order stories are written; viz., some plot and character development exercises and a few story techniques behooves you to completely change the novel, so these should come first, while those exercises that improve your story cosmetically and do not require a complete overhaul, should come later.
I have personally listed them in such an order, and the list will definitely help me tremendously for the next work. Right now, I'm rewriting the whole damn thing from scratch and kicking myself for not having found the book earlier when I was starting to write.
Definitely recommended.
June 11, 2011
If you’re unwilling to work hard to make your novel the best it can be, don’t buy this book. This sequel to the highly acclaimed, How to Write a Breakout Novel, will equip and motivate you to incorporate into your manuscript the elements essential to a best seller. But you’ll have to roll up your sleeves and write, revise, then write some more.
Each chapter presents a concept, explains its importance, illustrates its use with examples, and follows up with exercises you can apply to your WIP. If you complete each exercise and take the time to make your writing fresh and evocative, your novel will be transformed.
I write romantic suspense and purchased this book to learn how to infuse my stories with tension. I expected to breeze through Part 1 (twelve chapters on Character Development) and concentrate on Plot Development in Part 2. Wrong.
Creating conflict begins with the characters. The changes I made in my novel, based on these early exercises, yielded noticeable improvements. By the time I reached the last chapter in Part 2: ‘Adding Tension to Every Page’, my manuscript was already significantly closer to this goal.
Maass introduces the chapter with these words: “Tension on every page is the secret of great storytelling. Everyone knows that. Practically no one does it.”
Yup, I’m stuck at chapter 24, determined to instill more tension in my story, if it kills me. And some days I think it might. I have yet to explore the final twelve chapters on General Story Techniques which cover everything from first and last lines to the pitch.
Whatever you write, applying the exercises in this workbook will improve your work.
Each chapter presents a concept, explains its importance, illustrates its use with examples, and follows up with exercises you can apply to your WIP. If you complete each exercise and take the time to make your writing fresh and evocative, your novel will be transformed.
I write romantic suspense and purchased this book to learn how to infuse my stories with tension. I expected to breeze through Part 1 (twelve chapters on Character Development) and concentrate on Plot Development in Part 2. Wrong.
Creating conflict begins with the characters. The changes I made in my novel, based on these early exercises, yielded noticeable improvements. By the time I reached the last chapter in Part 2: ‘Adding Tension to Every Page’, my manuscript was already significantly closer to this goal.
Maass introduces the chapter with these words: “Tension on every page is the secret of great storytelling. Everyone knows that. Practically no one does it.”
Yup, I’m stuck at chapter 24, determined to instill more tension in my story, if it kills me. And some days I think it might. I have yet to explore the final twelve chapters on General Story Techniques which cover everything from first and last lines to the pitch.
Whatever you write, applying the exercises in this workbook will improve your work.
August 20, 2008
If I had to recommend just this book or its parent, "Writing the Breakout Novel," I'd choose this one. It contains most of the info from the other, and the exercises are really helpful.
October 25, 2019
Recap: non fiction novel writing guide
Review: I'm a pantser discovery writer with an idea for a big series who decided to do a bit of planning before this year's NaNo and you know what, working through this book has really helped me think about who my characters are, the overall plot ARC and how I can work that with my sub plot. I've had lots of aha moments and a couple of wow this is a lot of work moments lol. The proof I guess will be in the next novel I write - fingers crossed!
Review: I'm a pantser discovery writer with an idea for a big series who decided to do a bit of planning before this year's NaNo and you know what, working through this book has really helped me think about who my characters are, the overall plot ARC and how I can work that with my sub plot. I've had lots of aha moments and a couple of wow this is a lot of work moments lol. The proof I guess will be in the next novel I write - fingers crossed!
April 2, 2013
WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WORKBOOK, by DONALD MAASS, hands down, is one of the best books I’ve read on the craft of writing. Easy to read, with great examples and worksheets.
It’s not only a book that will help you develop your writing skills, but shows you how to write a bestseller, as well as get your proposal past the rejection pile.
A glimpse into what to expect in this amazing book:
• Building plot layers
• Creating inner conflict
• Strengthening voice and point of view
• Discovering and heightening larger-than-life character qualities
• Strengthening theme
• And much more!
I loved the detailed references to several bestselling authors’ novels. By the end of the workbook, I had a good list going of books to read and study.
Whether you are a new writer, or one that has been struggling for years, WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WORKBOOK, by DONALD MAASS is the book for you. Make it your next to purchase. You won’t regret it.
It’s not only a book that will help you develop your writing skills, but shows you how to write a bestseller, as well as get your proposal past the rejection pile.
A glimpse into what to expect in this amazing book:
• Building plot layers
• Creating inner conflict
• Strengthening voice and point of view
• Discovering and heightening larger-than-life character qualities
• Strengthening theme
• And much more!
I loved the detailed references to several bestselling authors’ novels. By the end of the workbook, I had a good list going of books to read and study.
Whether you are a new writer, or one that has been struggling for years, WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WORKBOOK, by DONALD MAASS is the book for you. Make it your next to purchase. You won’t regret it.
March 24, 2017
Well, all done, and echoing my update status: excellent workbook. It would be nearly impossible to complete this book without significantly improving your novel. But make sure you've got your first draft finished before diving in. The workbook needs raw material for you to do the exercises.
Quick PSA for others like me: I wish I could scrub my mind of all the example texts.
Each time he explained a concept, he mainly used snippets that involved child abuse, rape, or murder (or all three, BONUS!). And since you have to study those excerpts to get the point he's trying to illustrate, you're going to want a bucket of brain-bleach after.
It makes sense, because he's drawing from mainly adult novels (crime novels, dramas, etc.), but I wasn't prepared for that going in.
How about a new edition for Kid Lit authors, with children's book examples? That could spare some of us YA/MG writers the nightmares. :D
Quick PSA for others like me: I wish I could scrub my mind of all the example texts.
Each time he explained a concept, he mainly used snippets that involved child abuse, rape, or murder (or all three, BONUS!). And since you have to study those excerpts to get the point he's trying to illustrate, you're going to want a bucket of brain-bleach after.
It makes sense, because he's drawing from mainly adult novels (crime novels, dramas, etc.), but I wasn't prepared for that going in.
How about a new edition for Kid Lit authors, with children's book examples? That could spare some of us YA/MG writers the nightmares. :D
March 27, 2021
I go through this book every time I am writing a manuscript.
As a middle grade writer, sometimes I feel like it goes into too much detail. Categorically, I’m not producing a 300 page literary masterpiece. However, if I do the diet Coke of all these exercises, I come up with something great.
As a middle grade writer, sometimes I feel like it goes into too much detail. Categorically, I’m not producing a 300 page literary masterpiece. However, if I do the diet Coke of all these exercises, I come up with something great.
December 13, 2019
Some of the best writing and business advice I've ever read, even if formalist, due to the agent-side perspective, and inherently capitalist in scope.
April 4, 2024
If you want to improve your writing, definitely pick up any book by Donald Maass.
May 5, 2011
Writing The Breakout Novel Workbook
by Donald Maass
I actually found this book before I got its companion, "Writing the Breakout Novel." When I began to read, it said that it was meant as a companion to the other book, so off I went to the bookstore.
The first book contains the theory of how to write a fantastic tale.
This book is where you take the ideas and apply them to your own story.
Writing Worksheets
Designed around a series of worksheets, when you take the time to go through them (there are 34), it will help you think about your story in new ways, which will open up your story.
There are three sections of worksheets.
Character Development
How to take an average character and turn him into a true hero. How to make your character more interesting, with inner conflicts and larger than life qualities. How to take the story and show how it affects the character on a personal level. How to create good secondary characters and an opponent and how to put it all together.
Plot Development
How to complicate your story with multiple plot layers. How to weave in subplots. How to create an inner journey and how to heighten tension in a story (there is never enough conflict).
General Story Techniques
An examination of the first lines of your story and how to make them great. How to create inner change in your characters. An examination of different points of view, the setting and how to make your characters stand out as unique individuals. An examination of theme and how to use symbols in your story.
Summary
If you have "The Anatomy Of Story" (the best book on writing techniques), this workbook might seem redundant. However, "Writing the Breakout Novel," along with this workbook will give you another way to look at your story. Some of the things contained in these two books are nowhere else and I consider them essential reading for anyone serious about developing a career as a writer.
Mark O'Bannon
www.BetterStorytelling.Net/Blog
by Donald Maass
I actually found this book before I got its companion, "Writing the Breakout Novel." When I began to read, it said that it was meant as a companion to the other book, so off I went to the bookstore.
The first book contains the theory of how to write a fantastic tale.
This book is where you take the ideas and apply them to your own story.
Writing Worksheets
Designed around a series of worksheets, when you take the time to go through them (there are 34), it will help you think about your story in new ways, which will open up your story.
There are three sections of worksheets.
Character Development
How to take an average character and turn him into a true hero. How to make your character more interesting, with inner conflicts and larger than life qualities. How to take the story and show how it affects the character on a personal level. How to create good secondary characters and an opponent and how to put it all together.
Plot Development
How to complicate your story with multiple plot layers. How to weave in subplots. How to create an inner journey and how to heighten tension in a story (there is never enough conflict).
General Story Techniques
An examination of the first lines of your story and how to make them great. How to create inner change in your characters. An examination of different points of view, the setting and how to make your characters stand out as unique individuals. An examination of theme and how to use symbols in your story.
Summary
If you have "The Anatomy Of Story" (the best book on writing techniques), this workbook might seem redundant. However, "Writing the Breakout Novel," along with this workbook will give you another way to look at your story. Some of the things contained in these two books are nowhere else and I consider them essential reading for anyone serious about developing a career as a writer.
Mark O'Bannon
www.BetterStorytelling.Net/Blog
April 8, 2014
To say I live in this workbook wouldn't be overstating how often I refer to this brainstorming gem for writers. It's page after page of thought provoking questions, most of which I need to answer before my book really sings. And, if I'm really stuck coming up with an answer, I can always refer back to the full book by Maass of the same name and get an extra brainstorming boost.
LOVE this workbook!
LOVE this workbook!
November 3, 2009
Read this at my friend's house pretty much in one setting. I'd like to think that it would help me write better, but it turned out to be more a case of "do that, oops, do that, oops, did that, doing that, oops." Not a bad reminder of what makes a novel sell, though his choice of examples is...intriguing. Never thought I'd see Dan Brown and Karen Joy Fowler's works quoted in the same book.
March 23, 2010
My local writer friends started a group and met once a month to compare our writing exercises from the workbook. Great activity!
September 27, 2011
LOVE it! One of the best hands-on reference books for novel writing I've come across so far.
June 7, 2017
I wish I had gone through this sooner.
Donald Maass does an amazing job of arguing his stance on ways to ensure your novel is breakout-worthy. Keep in mind, however, this is not a guide for CREATING your story. While he does go over his opinions on outlining, and aspects of a novel that should be done before words turn into paragraphs, paragraphs turn into pages, and pages turn into chapters, this is most beneficial for novels already well on their way to completion, if not completed fully.
The examples he provides make his points all the easier to follow, and run from thrillers to romances. He also gives plenty of leeway for the literary novel vs commercial. While I'm sure he has his own opinions, reading this does not give preference to one over the other. It is a hands-on help for making your novel stand out and succeed, not a beginner how-to-write and which-style-is-best guide.
I loved it, and will be rereading it again in the near future. Slower, though, and taking care to go through each exercise. I am greatly looking forward to it!
Donald Maass does an amazing job of arguing his stance on ways to ensure your novel is breakout-worthy. Keep in mind, however, this is not a guide for CREATING your story. While he does go over his opinions on outlining, and aspects of a novel that should be done before words turn into paragraphs, paragraphs turn into pages, and pages turn into chapters, this is most beneficial for novels already well on their way to completion, if not completed fully.
The examples he provides make his points all the easier to follow, and run from thrillers to romances. He also gives plenty of leeway for the literary novel vs commercial. While I'm sure he has his own opinions, reading this does not give preference to one over the other. It is a hands-on help for making your novel stand out and succeed, not a beginner how-to-write and which-style-is-best guide.
I loved it, and will be rereading it again in the near future. Slower, though, and taking care to go through each exercise. I am greatly looking forward to it!
April 27, 2022
Read it probably about 2 years ago. Then revised it at least four times. The more I read it, the more I understand the depth of this book and the techniques he discussed about. Most writing tips books are mostly motivational, with occasional sprinkles of practical advice that could come in handy. This book is different. From the very first page it's to the point and it's practical. He doesn't say 'don't worry, you will achieve your goal someday', he shows how you could achieve your goal someday. It's one of the best books on writing advice out there, that I can guarantee.
P.S: Be careful about applying the larger-than-life though, specially the toning down part. It's pure dragon breath. One could burn his hand if not handled with caution.
P.S: Be careful about applying the larger-than-life though, specially the toning down part. It's pure dragon breath. One could burn his hand if not handled with caution.
February 13, 2023
If you want to write a bestseller, you want to pick up this workbook. If you want to just improve your current WIP enough to land a good agent, you want to pick up this workbook.
Maass, experienced literary agent and author, breaks down all the elements needed to nail the brief for a breakout novel. From characterization to setting to theme, he covers it all. Maass helped me deep-dive into my protagonist and discover new layers I hadn't even realized were there. Some of the exercises seem pointless or repetitive at first, but trust the process, stick with it, and you will have so many light-bulb moments you'll want to start writing/revising immediately. You can't go wrong with this workbook.
Maass, experienced literary agent and author, breaks down all the elements needed to nail the brief for a breakout novel. From characterization to setting to theme, he covers it all. Maass helped me deep-dive into my protagonist and discover new layers I hadn't even realized were there. Some of the exercises seem pointless or repetitive at first, but trust the process, stick with it, and you will have so many light-bulb moments you'll want to start writing/revising immediately. You can't go wrong with this workbook.
January 16, 2018
I was struggling to make some of my secondary characters feel multidimensional, and this book provided a refreshing way of developing characters that helped me break through that block. Maas also provides helpful advice on openings, backstory, keeping the tension high, and ferreting out the emotional stakes.
This is one of the best books I've read on the writing craft, and while I haven't (physically) done the exercises yet, just thinking through them was tremendously helpful.
(Let me add that I was inspired by the brilliant writing of Maggie Stiefvater and after reading this book I wouldn't doubt whether she drew some of her inspiration from it)
This is one of the best books I've read on the writing craft, and while I haven't (physically) done the exercises yet, just thinking through them was tremendously helpful.
(Let me add that I was inspired by the brilliant writing of Maggie Stiefvater and after reading this book I wouldn't doubt whether she drew some of her inspiration from it)
July 1, 2020
I picked this up at a workshop given by the author a few years ago. At the time I was daydreaming about writing fiction, but had no time to actually do so. Now that I'm really working on a novel I decided to pick it up again, and I was impressed at how helpful it is in making you think through the many elements that go into writing successful fiction.
One thing I particularly appreciated is that he gives examples from both commercial fiction and literary fiction. The basic structural principles apply in either case. And, let's face it, even literary authors would love to appeal to a large audience if they can do so without sacrificing their literary goals.
One thing I particularly appreciated is that he gives examples from both commercial fiction and literary fiction. The basic structural principles apply in either case. And, let's face it, even literary authors would love to appeal to a large audience if they can do so without sacrificing their literary goals.
March 22, 2022
Each section of this workbook focuses on an aspect of writing a novel. Each has worksheets at the end.
The sections are concise and filled with helpful information and questions to encourage a writer to look more carefully at any current or future writing project. They are general enough to apply to a wide range of writing projects.
Once you start going through this workbook, if you are doing so seriously, get ready to edit and rewrite your project numerous times. The end result will be worth all the frustration.
The sections are concise and filled with helpful information and questions to encourage a writer to look more carefully at any current or future writing project. They are general enough to apply to a wide range of writing projects.
Once you start going through this workbook, if you are doing so seriously, get ready to edit and rewrite your project numerous times. The end result will be worth all the frustration.
February 27, 2021
I believe every working novelist should have this on their shelf when it comes time to revise the manuscript. Ignore the sensation title. Really this workbook gets you to consider what makes a story memorable and the activities will help you get deeper into the minds of your characters and the storyworld of your manuscript.
January 27, 2018
I have read the author’s writing breakout novel. This workbook gives more detailed exercises on the techniques of that book. A truly good book. Makes me start to think from different angles. When write a book it is good to use the exercises as a checklist.
June 15, 2018
GET THE BOOK. This book transformed my writing. Get it now, as well as original novel. This is the only two books you need when learning about novel writing (besides the Fire in Fiction, which is also written by Donald Masss).
May 3, 2021
Another fabulous book from Donald Maass. it gives a blueprint for the elements of great fiction. He encourages intuition and courage and complexity. He doesn’t shy away from telling us how much harder we need to work. Get rid of good for the chance at great. Love it.
January 4, 2022
Love this workbook. I went through it once for the exercises and I am now going through it again to implement them into my current novel. I suspect this will be a valuable revision tool for me evermore.
October 27, 2018
Full of creative activities to stimulate the writing juices. Divided into three sections: character development, plot development and general story techniques, it's a useful tool for any writer.
July 22, 2019
Pretty handy book. Good for helping you flesh out ideas and brainstorm.
October 26, 2020
Chock full of fabulous information and inspiration!!!
March 1, 2017
I hope I learned from this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews