Review of No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty
A Low-stress, High-velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days
No Plot? No Problem! is written by Chris Baty, who happens to be the creator of Nanowrimo - National Novel Writing Month. Nanowrimo is an exciting event taking place during the month of November each year, when thousands of writers, both new and savy, gather from around the world to write a novel in thirty days. Though Baty wrote this book especially with the Nanowrimo participant in mind, this is a work every writer can benefit from.
Baty discusses every aspect of novel writing from beginning to end, stressing on those spots that aflict writers most. Most important is the scheduling of the writing and finding the time to do it, and he suggests various ways on how to keep up with the writing marathon. One section is especially focused on writer moms with young children. Not less important are the writing tools: pen, notebook, word processor--of course, never forget the coffee! Plotting, creating characters, and pacing are also discussed. The aim of the book, however, is to teach writers to turn off their inner critics while writing the novel. There's always time for editing later, after the manuscript is completed. The book is divided into four Weeks, so the writer will know what to do every week for the duration of the event.
The author has a witty, wonderful sense of humor and this clearly comes across through the pages, making this book both informative and a pleasure to read. It is short and to the point, filled with smart and practical suggestions for writing a novel quickly and painlessly. The language is lucidly clear and the topics well structured and organized. This is a book every writer should read. For those writers planning to join Nanowrimo, reading this book is definitely a must.
About the author:
A resident of Oakland, California, Chris has been heading up NaNoWriMo since founding the escapade in 1999. With his startlingly mediocre prose style and complete inability to write credible dialogue, Chris has set a reassuringly low bar for budding novelists everywhere. Chris is an anthropologist by training and a freelance writer by trade; his work has appeared in the Washington Post, the Believer, and Lonely Planet guidebooks. When not bossing strangers around, Chris spends debilitating amounts of time in coffee shops. His mercilessly pants-kicking book, No Plot? No Problem! is available from online and brick & mortar bookstores.
Purchase information:
No Plot? No Problem
by Chris Baty
Chronicle Books
Copyright 2004
ISBN: 0-08118-4505-2
Paperback, 172 pages, $14.95
No Plot? No Problem!
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