With Whitcomb's help, you can get mentally and physically geared up to structure your research so you can save time later. Learn to card your story before you start writing and what you need to know about developing your cast of characters. Laura shows you the art of outlining and self-editing, then gives you exercises to develop other important novel writing skills.

Then when you have your novel polished to its sparkling best, Rittenberg gives you the know-how to get it published.  Writing a query letter or a book proposal may be more intimidating than writing the novel itself, and hilarious examples that Ann gives show you what not to do...but with the guidelines here, you can handle query letters with ease. You will know how to translate submission guidelines, and what makes an agent instantly reject a manuscript.  You will be able to cope if you get multiple offers...or no offers.  Ann discusses writing groups and writing conferences and their importance to you as a novelist. Novices and seasoned writers alike can profit from the clear-headed advice offered by this book. Each chapter contains reading recommendations and web site links for more great ideas to improve your writing.

I love to hear how other writers made the big-time, and some of the contemporary greats...Dennis Lehane, Kathryn Harrison, and others...chime in with their inspiring stories to tell you how they did it, and pitfalls to avoid.  I just installed some new writing software, and now with Ann and Laura by my side, I'm ready to tackle that novel.