Structuring Your Novel Workbook: Hands-On Help for Building Strong and Successful Stories (Helping Writers Become Authors)

For any writer who has struggled with structure, this is the ultimate help book. I used note cards myself to answer the questions and man, let me tell you. Ms. Weiland pushes you to think about things in your book you would have never thought of or at least, I would have never thought of on my own. At times, it can even become exhausting to answer them all and run my brain in all of those different directions, but I have to say that it is not only a lot of fun, it makes for stronger writing. I think this book benefits everybody, but may actually benefit writers who have been at the game a little while than newbies. For newbies, I think the key is to write and not think of anything until you have some material to work with. I've written a few books and can tell you that this book helps me think through future books in ways I never did before. There's no guarantee with anything in life of course, but I know I feel like a much stronger writer to using this workbook.

I got the book and this workbook in the summer of 2015 to help me prep the writing of my second novel in time for Nanowrimo. It was during the reading of the book that I realized that my first novel, Chrysalis, was unsound and would need to be restructured. In December of 2015 I decided to go back to revising Chrysalis. I have been dutifully working on it the last three months, not by re-writing any words, but by going through the workbook, thinking through the questions, exploring different possibilities, rearranging the scenes so that they fall into the right plot and pinch points. The questions helped me understand my novel in a much deeper level and gave me the permission to take the time to slow down and think through characterization, foreshadowing, theme, plot, everything! Even though nothing has been altered in the manuscript, the story is much stronger and much deeper thanks to going through the workbook. Whether you want to prep or evaluate your novel, this book is an excellent option. In addition to reading this, I would suggest that you read through her Character Arc series on her blog. I found those to be incredibly helpful and go to a deeper level of structuring your work.

Just a few brief points, since so many others have already discussed the countless wonderful aspects of this workbook. First of all, you will never find a more writer-friendly book. I'm a linear-type person who likes to follow a "plan." For me, this workbook (plus the book) is ideal. You progress through the workbook, it's satisfying and productive (and exciting.) The greatest thing about it is that it FORCES you to think deeply about every aspect of your story. Katie will not allow you to just give flippant responses; you have to really, really think; to dig deep, and truly understand and justify every detail of your story, and how it all ties in with your characters' motivations. She does this by asking loads of follow-up questions, that hit the same points from slightly different angles. She will not let you off the hook! You MUST think about, plan, and justify everything about your plot. By going through this process, you will find your story becoming richer, more cohesive, more compelling. I leave every session w/the workbook feeling jazzed about my progress w/the story. As others advise, I would also buy the book. What I did is read a section of the book at a time, then complete the matching workbook section. Keeps you totally focused on the plot point you're working on at the time. I cannot imagine ever writing a novel again without going through this process. Thank you Katie Weiland!

This workbook gives you a lot of great questions to chew on and is formatted pretty logically (wish the little infographics weren't just pasted in there; they look...compressed in a not so great way), but I did find it a little frustrating that it referenced quite a few movies when it's titled Structuring Your NOVEL. There are also a few typos (one really early into the workbook on page 18). Still, I think it's a very useful resource.

K.M. Weiland's books are wonderful for anyone starting out on the road to novel writing. Written as if she is talking to you, face to face, her advice and "lessons" have a personal feel. Along with all the excellent information, advice, ideas and guidelines... there is a hint of humour that reminds the reader that writing should be fun and rewarding, despite all the hard work. I believe that these books have given me the confidence and knowledge to take my ideas and start crafting some real stories from them.

Katie Wylands knows her stuff. This is for all novelists who want their novels to be well wrought and successful. It contains comprehensive knowledge on how a story is put together. Her wisdom and experience shines through the pages of this book. I recommend this to all authors of fiction who will truly benefit from it.

I'm a 38-year-old aspiring writer working on my first fiction novel and am finding this workbook, along with it's mating book "Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story," indispensably useful. Other outlining books may provide equal instruction but I'm doubtful they do so in as warm and encouraging a manner as K.M. does in hers. She provides firm and clear instruction while consistently maintaining a respect for the artful side of the craft. The workbook guides the reader through dozens of exercises useful for liberating the ideas and concepts required to assemble a sound story structure. Her use of examples from film and literature, including her own work, is invaluable for grounding the concepts she covers in each chapter. As I grope my way through this mammoth endeavour, it feels as though I have a personal writing coach when I use these books. There are 4 publications in the series (2 books and 2 workbooks) and I highly recommend all of them. They're very reasonably priced and money well spent.

I never realised that writing novels could be structured. I have always thought its just instinctive. But after reading this book I now understand that some writers are natural authors, but most need to follow a structure. I am so glad I have read this book. This is the type of book that you keep with you as a reference (If you write). I really like how Weiland uses examples of popular books and movies to demonstrate the message, very clever. I have written Non-fiction, and now looking to write my first fiction book, and in Weiland have finally found someone I can work with.

Cet ouvrage m’a été des plus utiles! Bien monté, beaucoup d’exemples et matière expliquée en profondeur de manière à ce que ce soit facile à comprendre et assimiler. Je le recommande fortement à tous ceux qui désirent améliorer leur conception de roman sans se perdre dans la théorie!