|
|
|
Review and Endorsement Highlights
"THE PLOT THICKENS is one of
the best-ever books about the craft of writing. It is a book that can change the
world of every writer who embraces Lukeman's ideas. His classroom on paper
should be on every writer’s shelf to be read again and again. The book is a
personal gift from a master agent who truly cares not only about the written
word, but most of all, about the people who struggle to convey ideas upon the
printed page." "Lukeman’s advice is
practical—and often entails multiple, time-consuming steps—without a hint of
the flakiness that creeps into many writing guides. Though Lukeman works with
books, he wisely asserts that the observations in this volume are applicable to
all types of imaginary writing, from film to poetry. Indeed, it is a worthy
addition to any writer’s reference shelf." "...a crisply written, nicely
detailed examination of the art of storytelling. Beginning writers will find
plenty of practical tips and useful advice in its pages" "Lukeman's book succeeds
because it takes a commonsense approach to plotting, one that centers on
characters and a few basic elements such as conflict and suspense. THE PLOT
THICKENS is a highly useful book that is written in an accessible style and
filled with valuable examples. I recommend this for the aspiring novelist who
needs a helpful guide to developing and creating vivid characters." "For those of us who have ever
grappled with plot, THE PLOT THICKENS is a godsend. I never tire of reading Noah
Lukeman's work because his voice is eloquent, insightful, practical, original,
and sincere. The man has respect for literature and it shows. There is
information in Noah Lukeman's books I have not read elsewhere. The most veteran
author can learn from THE PLOT THICKENS. Beginners will find a gold mine. I wish
I could have read this book years ago. THE PLOT THICKENS is not the type of book
you want to check out from the library or borrow from a friend. It is the type
of book you need to purchase so it can sit on your desk, dog-eared and
underlined, worn from years of overuse. For the playwright, the screenwriter,
the novelist, or the short-story writer, THE PLOT THICKENS is more than a book
on craft, it's a tool." "Conflict - the most difficult
concept for new writers to understand. Lukeman does a masterful job of
explaining this important aspect of plot development… Written with clarity,
Lukeman nver talks down to his reader. His personable writing style elevates THE
PLOT THICKENS from a text on writing to a written version of the mentor you
always wished you could have." "THE PLOT THICKENS is
wonderful!" "Fantastic book. Gives you
lots of insight on how to write a great story. We at Hollywoodlitsales.com
couldn't put it down. It was better than reading a great novel." "I can think of countless
novels that would have been improved by following the "8 Ways to Bring
Fiction to Life," which is full of practical common sense about how to
write fiction and answers many of the difficult questions first novelists ask
themselves." "In his book THE FIRST FIVE
PAGES, Noah Lukeman, one of the top literary agents in New York, gave writers a
great gift. Now, in THE PLOT THICKENS, he shows writers how to build stories in
which the plot emerges from fresh, alive, and intense characters. Both beginners
and more advanced writers will find many wonderful, thought-provoking concepts
and approaches here to help them hone their craft." "Noah Lukeman keeps laser-like
focus on the single most important principle of good writing: creating plot
through the characters. THE PLOT THICKENS is a pleasure to read, and filled with
useful information." "Brilliant. The Plot Thickens
literally gears a person up to writing big-themed, deep, humorous, and varied
fiction. Personable, buoyant, and very wise, The Plot Thickens made me feel
wildly buoyed up with that joy that is particular to fiction-making. It pulls
off the virtues we want in a writing handbook —succinct discussions of plot
and character and tone, amazing lists of qualities to check for our characters,
ways to build and keep suspense, ways to understand a character from the inside
where people cleave to their own personalities as well as from the outside,
where we act and speak. Lukeman’s help with characterization is better than
that of other manual-writers because, page for page, he thinks more than other
writing teachers, not just about writing books but about people." "THE PLOT THICKENS is my
favorite kind of how-to-write book…Never high-handed or stuffy, the book is
easy to read but thought provoking at the same time.…Mr. Lukeman takes you
through many ways to increase tension and suspense in your work, as well as how
conflict affects the storyline and how you can prolong it to keep the reader
entranced.….His comments were very informative and insightful and could be
used by all of us when it comes time to edit our novels. ….I highly recommend The
Plot Thickens. …Read it slowly. Ponder the questions and the
examples." "THE PLOT THICKENS is a book
that deserves a prominent place on any writer's bookshelf." "The final two chapters deal
with issues few are willing or able to cover in such a clear manner. Lukeman
tackles the difficult task of trying to pinpoint exactly what qualities an
extraordinary book possesses….Lukeman uses his experiences as an agent to
create a book that will benefit all types of writers. Film and novel critics
will find Lukeman's book to be an outstanding guide when analyzing story plot…The
conversational style makes The Plot Thickens a pleasure to read; the
compact size makes it convenient to transport. It is the type of book that every
writer should own." "Well known literary agent
Noah Lukeman's The Plot Thickens is different. The book is so well
written--so tight and polished--that it provides a perfect example of its own
principles. Lukeman's prose is so lucid that it manages to render even complex
concepts like "transcendency" clear, and provides practical ways of
incorporating character-driven plot and transcendency into your work. It would
be a rare writer who didn't find his or her manuscript improving through
application of Lukeman's extensive questions….Lukeman understands, in a way
which only comes from extensive reading and editing, what makes for excellent,
not just bestselling, fiction. His literary assistance can clearly make the
difference between a good book (he won't take on anything less) and a work of
art. If you aren't lucky enough to have him for your agent, he offers this book
as a kind of "gift." Treat yourself to his superbly written reference
guide....The Plot Thickens is a resource that fiction writers, both
beginning and experienced, will return to repeatedly." "Unlike most of us who read
bad writing for a living, Noah has done something about it. The first two
chapters, including writing exercises, enable authors to build complex
characters from the ground up. New writers should especially benefit from these
chapters…If Noah's book encourages more unique characters, that will be
service enough….Chapter 5, Suspense, is one of the best how-to guides on the
subject. I took notes; it's that good. He knows suspense and knows how to create
and sustain it….Read this book cover to cover, then put it in the resource
section of your personal library. When tempted to lift actors from central
casting, or to retread a tired old tale, reach for The Plot Thickens instead and
build something good from the ground up." "Anyone who loves to write
character-driven plots will love this book! …..The Plot Thickens 8 Ways to
Bring Fiction to Life is a book that not only an instruction book, it’s
also an ideas book. What I particularly loved about this book was that the
examples used came not only from books, but also from well-known movies….Plot
is one of the hardest disciplines in the fiction writing field for many writers….The
Plot Thickens 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life gives advice how to achieve
this in the most natural way possible….An easy to read book that can be read
from start to finish, or which can be delved into whenever you’re blocked for
an idea on where your plot should go next, The Plot Thickens 8 Ways to Bring
Fiction to Life is a guide that will complement any writer’s reference
shelf." "Eight step, common sense
doctrine beneficial for advanced writers, but best suited for freshman novelists….Lukeman,
a literary agent, piles on the wisdom and warmth, leaving writers with both a
newfound, viable toolset — and vibrant inspiration." "Noah Lukeman offers novelists
a superb writing tool! THE PLOT THICKENS is THE book to read for anyone who
wants to really learn and improve their fiction." "Lukeman's strength lies in
his concise, direct treatment of the subject along with his thought-provoking
questions that prod the reader to dig deeper into their own stories. He freely
passes along the wisdom he's gained in the industry, and his every word is
focused on the goal of creating publishable fiction. It would be difficult, if
not impossible, to read this book without walking away with ideas to deepen and
to improve your own stories, and this makes THE PLOT THICKENS an excellent
investment for the serious writer." "Perhaps my favorite lesson in
The Plot Thickens was on transcendency, or the ability of the work to
"leave a deep, lasting impression on the audience." Lukeman lists
character multidimensionality, timelessness, and relatability, among others, as
aspects of a transcendent work and gives examples of novels (and films) which
have risen above space and time to affect audiences for generations. The most
interesting ideas come when he discusses the conscious and unconscious
motivation behind writing and the emotions that fuel this motivation…..The
thing that struck me about Mr. Lukeman’s book is that he has broken down,
defined, and given a vocabulary to an intuitive process." "Lukeman's book is being
called an innovative and fresh way to help writers jazz up their plotting
techniques. Need a good present for your birthday? This is it!" |