Reviews
The Linchpin Writer: Crafting Your Novel's Key Moments by John Matthew Fox, John Matthew Fox
johnmatthewfox's review
5.0
Thanks to everyone who bought the book!
The Linchpin Writer is getting a lot of wonderful feedback from writers who are using the techniques in their novels.
It's wonderful to see authors appreciating all the practical advice and the stories.
The Linchpin Writer is getting a lot of wonderful feedback from writers who are using the techniques in their novels.
It's wonderful to see authors appreciating all the practical advice and the stories.
domisreading's review
4.0
As most craft books are this book wasn't written for entertainment but did help out a lot with my own writing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
amberlee_etc's review
3.0
Nice introduction to creating a story, but it sort of felt like the goal is to get you to purchases one of his courses.
georges_mom's review
5.0
A worthy addition to my craft library, since it does have something new to say. Of particular relevance to my novel were the chapters on chapter endings and love scenes. The latter was especially helpful because the author and I seem to have the same philosophy on that topic—that you don’t have to “fade to black” and there’s a way to write sex memorably without resorting to cringey euphemisms or, ahem, clinical descriptions of what’s happening. This is the first lit fic craft book I’ve read that specifically addresses this.
A quick and useful read.
A quick and useful read.
ljwrites85's review
4.0
Rounded up from 3.5
Lately I've read a good deal of writing advice books to hone my craft as a writer, so I was interested in what The Linchpin Writer had to offer.
The Linchpin Writer is part memoir, part writing advice with helpful literary examples and exercises scattered throughout to help you along the way. If I were to compare it to another novel, it would be On Writing by Stephen King except this has a lot clearer writing advice in it.
There is also a uniqueness to the novel. I've not read another novel that handles such a broad amount of subjects, from why you want to be a writer to writing your first paragraph and first dialogue, even to making time for your writing.
This book really challenged me, in a good way, about the way I'd been writing, in particular when it came to character description, which is my current nemesis. I would also very much recommend this book if you are in the editing stages of your novel, rather than doing a first draft, to help strengthen the story.
As I was reading, I found there was a bit of a literary angle to the book. As a lover of crime fiction, many of the fiction examples used I'd either never read or even heard of. Also, when discussing steamy/romantic scenes, the tone came across as kind of snobby, but of course, that's just my opinion.
The Linchpin Writer is a book full of practical writing advice, interesting anecdotes and great if you're looking for help to sharpen up your writing skills.
Lately I've read a good deal of writing advice books to hone my craft as a writer, so I was interested in what The Linchpin Writer had to offer.
The Linchpin Writer is part memoir, part writing advice with helpful literary examples and exercises scattered throughout to help you along the way. If I were to compare it to another novel, it would be On Writing by Stephen King except this has a lot clearer writing advice in it.
There is also a uniqueness to the novel. I've not read another novel that handles such a broad amount of subjects, from why you want to be a writer to writing your first paragraph and first dialogue, even to making time for your writing.
This book really challenged me, in a good way, about the way I'd been writing, in particular when it came to character description, which is my current nemesis. I would also very much recommend this book if you are in the editing stages of your novel, rather than doing a first draft, to help strengthen the story.
As I was reading, I found there was a bit of a literary angle to the book. As a lover of crime fiction, many of the fiction examples used I'd either never read or even heard of. Also, when discussing steamy/romantic scenes, the tone came across as kind of snobby, but of course, that's just my opinion.
The Linchpin Writer is a book full of practical writing advice, interesting anecdotes and great if you're looking for help to sharpen up your writing skills.
travelsalongmybookshelf's review
4.0
The Linchpin Writer: Crafting your novels key moments - John Matthew Fox
Linchpin moments are where the reader decides whether to abandon the book or keep reading (the beginning, the end of a chapter). These are the moments when you have a climax (surprise, main climax, emotional climax) and in this book the author teaches you how to nail these.
I am not a writer, but what I am is an avid reader and this book really engaged me as to why I love certain books. It was insightful and useful and should I ever choose to write a book will be helpful. There were several tips and hints that stand out from this book. The first is to read the first paragraph of a few books in your genre, what stands out, does it hook you in? This is the first lynchpin and it really made me think, what catches you as you read, what will make you keep reading on. There are a few books I’ve DNF’d after the first paragraph, when I’ve just thought it’s not for me.
Secondly -Dialogue, what is the characters first line? It is usually significant- this made me deep dive back into many of my shelves books to read first lines and it tells you tons about that characters trajectory in a nutshell.
Thirdly -Situations give emotions to the reader, don’t name it, there are micro emotions on every page, strive for wonder, you know as a reader what that feels like, it’s rare, it’s intangible and individual but it is there in books and it can be written.
I could go on with this but there’s so much to take in and with exercises to do, it is one of those books that you will constantly refer back to.
It has an easy to read style, is simple and has great tips for budding and not so budding writers. There are lots of examples to illustrate his points using well known authors work which is helpful, and as the true scientist I am, I do like evidence to back up a theory! It has made me read with new eyes, this is a break down of how books work on us as readers. I’m not convinced that I will ever write a book but I think also it will make me a better reader and who knows maybe one day I will write!
‘You cannot save the world with your book, but you can reach your tribe: those who know you, those who live around you, those who care about your topic. If you have limited expectations—if you truly understand what Gandhi called your “insignificance”—then you are free to write what you are meant to write, and reach who you are meant to reach.’
Linchpin moments are where the reader decides whether to abandon the book or keep reading (the beginning, the end of a chapter). These are the moments when you have a climax (surprise, main climax, emotional climax) and in this book the author teaches you how to nail these.
I am not a writer, but what I am is an avid reader and this book really engaged me as to why I love certain books. It was insightful and useful and should I ever choose to write a book will be helpful. There were several tips and hints that stand out from this book. The first is to read the first paragraph of a few books in your genre, what stands out, does it hook you in? This is the first lynchpin and it really made me think, what catches you as you read, what will make you keep reading on. There are a few books I’ve DNF’d after the first paragraph, when I’ve just thought it’s not for me.
Secondly -Dialogue, what is the characters first line? It is usually significant- this made me deep dive back into many of my shelves books to read first lines and it tells you tons about that characters trajectory in a nutshell.
Thirdly -Situations give emotions to the reader, don’t name it, there are micro emotions on every page, strive for wonder, you know as a reader what that feels like, it’s rare, it’s intangible and individual but it is there in books and it can be written.
I could go on with this but there’s so much to take in and with exercises to do, it is one of those books that you will constantly refer back to.
It has an easy to read style, is simple and has great tips for budding and not so budding writers. There are lots of examples to illustrate his points using well known authors work which is helpful, and as the true scientist I am, I do like evidence to back up a theory! It has made me read with new eyes, this is a break down of how books work on us as readers. I’m not convinced that I will ever write a book but I think also it will make me a better reader and who knows maybe one day I will write!
‘You cannot save the world with your book, but you can reach your tribe: those who know you, those who live around you, those who care about your topic. If you have limited expectations—if you truly understand what Gandhi called your “insignificance”—then you are free to write what you are meant to write, and reach who you are meant to reach.’