by Mike Klaassen

Created on: March 05, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

REVIEW OF
The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing
By Evan Marshall,
1998, Writer's Digest Books

WRITING MODES STAND THE TEST OF TIME
The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing includes plenty of practical and thought-provoking material, but there are two chapters that set this book apart from the competition.

One of the many concepts that confused me as a novice writer was the terminology used to describe different types of writing. Different books described narrative, summary, scene, exposition, dialogue, introspection, flashbacks, and recollections, but none provided a satisfactory explanation of each and how they relate to one another, especially for use by a novelist.

In chapters 10 and 11, Evan Marshall describes five writing modes: action, summary, dialogue, feelings/thoughts, and background. He defines each and outlines their uses. As soon as I read about the writing modes, I began incorporating them into my writing and into my study of writing. Years later, I still find writing modes to be insightful in concept and helpful in practical use.

Marshall's writing modes offer a superior model for understanding and explaining the different types of writing used to construct fiction. For me, the writing modes have stood the test of time. I continue to be amazed that more articles and books about fiction-writing don't incorporate them.

The chapters addressing writing modes are well worth the cost of purchasing The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing.

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