02 May Book Review of Writing the Breakout Novel: Insider Advice for Taking Y…
Book Review: Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
As a writer on my own journey, I always seek out resources that promise to unlock the secrets of crafting a compelling story. So, when I stumbled upon Donald Maass’s Writing the Breakout Novel, I was eager to dive in and see what wisdom it held. The title itself held a tantalizing allure—who wouldn’t want to create that breakout novel that captures readers’ hearts? Unfortunately, while Maass offers some intriguing insights, I found it delivered more generalities than actionable specifics, leading to a mixed experience.
The book is essentially a guide for aspiring authors, focusing on the attributes that distinguish a "breakout" novel from the rest. Maass encourages writers to weave deeper emotional needs into their protagonists, suggesting they possess “a torturous need” or “an exquisite lust” (p. 77). This perspective resonated with me; it’s a reminder that characters must be flawed and multifaceted, making their journeys compelling. One quote that particularly struck a chord was, “Most of us do not for very long tolerate people who make us feel frustrated, sad, hopeless, or depressed— not in life, not in books” (p. 105). It’s a poignant reminder that readers crave characters they can root for, despite their flaws.
However, while the ideas are thought-provoking, I often felt them to be too broad. For instance, Maass mentions the importance of having a strong theme, but fails to elaborate on how an author can effectively weave that theme throughout their narrative. This left me wishing for more concrete steps to translate that understanding into practical action. For anyone familiar with writing guides, many of Maass’s suggestions felt familiar, sometimes echoing thoughts found in other notable works like Stephen King’s On Writing.
In his analysis of Jennifer Crusie’s Tell Me Lies, Maass praises the book for its layered plot and character dynamics, which left me scratching my head in disagreement. I personally found the heroine’s antics frustratingly stupid, leading me to rate the book a mere one star. While Maass highlights the sexual tension and distinctive characters, I saw a lack of engaging depth in the narrative that made me disengage completely. This dissonance between my perspective and Maass’s critique was disheartening, making it difficult to accept his example as a model to strive for.
One of the book’s standout points was Maass’s discussion on character complexity. He asserts that true depth comes from characters striving for the impossible, rather than those who are already accomplished (p. 110). This rings true in many beloved stories—think of Frodo, who embodies the relentless struggle between good and evil, and how much more captivating he is because he faces insurmountable odds.
While I enjoyed some segments, I had hoped for a consistent thread of specificity that could truly guide my writing. Many exercises, like exploring theme, were introduced without the necessary direction on how to execute them effectively.
In conclusion, Writing the Breakout Novel might appeal to newer writers looking for inspiration or those in search of broad concepts about character and theme. However, for seasoned authors or anyone needing actionable advice, you may want to look elsewhere. While some ideas sparked joy and contemplation for me, the overall lack of specificity left me wanting more. If you’re on a quest for enriching insights into the craft, I heartily recommend checking out On Writing by Stephen King or Stein on Writing by Sol Stein, both of which provide clear, actionable guidance that can truly illuminate your writing path.
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