Friday, April 15, 2011

Writing the Paranormal Novel

Writing the Paranormal Novel: Techniques and Exercises for Weaving Supernatural Elements Into Your Story.

Author: Steven Harper

ISBN: 1-59963-134-2

Publisher: Writers Digest Books


Click Here To Purchase Writing the Paranormal Novel: Techniques and Exercises for Weaving Supernatural Elements Into Your Story.

Writing the Paranormal Novel is an excellent guide not only for writing a paranormal story, but it is also useful for writing fiction.

The book is broken into four parts: Gathering the Elements, Summoning the Characters, Casting the Words, and Banishing the Book. It covered lots more than I expected.

Not only does author Steven Harper go over the basics on how to add elements of paranormal and keeping it real, but he also touches base on important topics such as: How to present yourself when researching, interviews, clichés, writing believable fight scenes and flashbacks, and how to avoid two-dimensional protagonist and antagonists. Each chapter is very detailed and easy to follow. Great techniques and exercises for weaving supernatural elements into your story.

A nice little bonus is added in the last two chapters. In chapter 14, The Reality, he talks about the publishing world, what expect and strategies for getting published. He also shows you how to deal with scams, criticism, queries, rejections, pitch sessions and more. In the final chapter, Destruction and Creation, he shares how to build your career with a little hard work.

All in all, this book is packed to the rim with lots of great tips and info. Whether you're thinking about writing a paranormal novel or just want to learn more about writing, this book has it all.

A great read for aspiring novelists. Especially paranormal novelists.

Steven Harper Piziks was born in Saginaw, Michigan, but he moved around a lot. Currently he lives with his wife and three sons near Ann Arbor, Michigan. His novels include In the Company of Mind and Corporate Mentality, both science fiction published by Baen Books. Writing as Steven Harper for Roc Books, he has produced The Silent Empire series. He's also written movie novelizations and books based on Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and The Ghost Whisperer.

Mr. Piziks currently teaches English in southeast Michigan. When not writing, he plays the folk harp, dabbles in oral storytelling, and spends more time on-line than is probably good for him.

Reviewed by Martha Ramirez of Bookpleasures

Click Here To Purchase Writing the Paranormal Novel: Techniques and Exercises for Weaving Supernatural Elements Into Your Story.

6 comments:

Sheri Fredricks said...

This is the first paranormal writing book I've seen, and it looks pretty good. Thanks for posting your review. I look forwarding to buying my own copy.

D'Ann said...

I don't write para, but it looks good.

Brenda said...

Like Mika, this is the first paranormal writing book I've seen. And since paranormal is the genre I write in, I think I'll purchase the book.
Thanks for the review, Mart, and for bringing this book to my attention.

Martha Ramirez said...

Thank you for stopping by:0

Anonymous said...

testing

Lisa Kumar said...

Good review--sounds like a good book.