How to grow a novel

I’ve been reading a superb book by Sol Stein called “How to grow a novel”. Mr Stein is a hugely-successful US publisher and author, and this book is a distillation of what he has said to his writers over his career. It’s a practical, useful guide to writing, that shows you all the most common mistakes and how to ovecome them. It’s made me realise that I really need to revisit ‘Blood and Blitzkrieg’ and produce a second edition (perhaps after I finish the sequel).

Mr Stein’s advice on character, plot and structure to name just three elements, is superb, so if you’re writing a book yourself, get a copy ASAP before you waste any more time writng stuff you’ll just have to throw away.