Character Worksheets
Whether that's what gets people rejected, or even accepted, this book is full of tips on every page. What's more, it's written from a Christian perspective, so the exa If you're trying to traditionally publish, then I completely recommend this book. What's more, it's written from a Christian perspective, so the examples are clean. Dec 30, Amy Vickers rated it liked it. I'm not currently working on a novel, but I found his perspective fascinating, anyway. I love that Jeff Gerke gives very concrete advice about how to lay the groundwork for a novel. A lot of books on writing are vague or give advice like "be talented.
It made me feel a little like if I were writing a novel the Jeff Gerke way, a lot of the fun might be sucked out of it. The text is al I'm not currently working on a novel, but I found his perspective fascinating, anyway. The text is also peppered with comments that are similar to "come on, work that frontal lobe! He's also repetitive on some points.
He acknowledges the repetitiveness and then says that if people listened to him and started writing decent novels, then he wouldn't need to keep repeating himself. I wasn't sure how I felt about that tone. Some people might like it. View all 4 comments. Sep 01, Thomas Edmund rated it it was amazing Shelves: Between the dorky jokes, Gerke, successfully sells his thesis of how important set-up is in a novel.
For example rather than just saying "your character needs to be sympathetic" we are provided with methods of achieving this. In short, a must read for those struggling through the w Between the dorky jokes, Gerke, successfully sells his thesis of how important set-up is in a novel. In short, a must read for those struggling through the writing process. Mar 07, Arlene Walker rated it it was amazing. Worth every penny I paid for this book. I learned so many helpful tips, tricks, and tactics.
Recommended for writers, novices or professionals. Good advice in the six things not to do, great for the beginning writer. Then it falls apart May 02, Marian Rakestraw rated it liked it.
Here's something funny - it took me about 50 pages to settle in to this book. Jeff Gerke does a nice job covering a variety of subjects that authors should think about when building the beginning of a novel: Because these topics are intertwined and often occur simultaneously in a novel, he spends a great deal of time re-covering Here's something funny - it took me about 50 pages to settle in to this book. Because these topics are intertwined and often occur simultaneously in a novel, he spends a great deal of time re-covering the same ground, or pausing to tell the reader that whatever he is talking about is actually covered elsewhere in the book.
Gerke gives lots of examples to illustrate his advice, and something that I found odd is that he most often uses movies. In a book on writing, I would have thought examples from actual books would be better. Furthermore, the movies he chooses are sometimes obscure, or at least not terribly successful.
I happen to like Sneakers, but it isn't exactly in heavy rerun rotation. Overall, this book has some good advice to give. Most of it, I already knew. I can see the advantage of having it all in one place, and might go back and refer to this text when editing the first 50 pages of a novel. Nov 09, Ronel Janse van Vuuren rated it really liked it Shelves: This book covers everything you need to do — and everything you should avoid — in the first fifty pages of your novel.
From point of view to theme to world building, this book talks about it all. The second half of the book is a reminder of everything you already know, but sometimes forget to apply. It cov This book covers everything you need to do — and everything you should avoid — in the first fifty pages of your novel. The movie references — especially the ones I have no intention of watching — did confuse me at times, but I got the gist. Aug 23, A. Bochnak rated it liked it. I'm torn with this book. It does offer some great advice, but I struggle with how "right" is this author.
As I think about the type of books and stories I want to tell, they are not cookie cutter, formulaic stories. As I consider my favorite books, hugely successful books, they do not follow most of the rules outlined in this book. So I ask myself, do I want to be cookie cutter, or do I want my work to stand out and grab my reader? Do I want to be remembered or easily forgotten. Now some of that I'm torn with this book. Now some of that will definitely happen by doing some of what this author has suggested.
But I don't think we all have be this limiting on ourselves and our art form. Dec 21, Kelly rated it really liked it. Although a lot of what Gerke explains in this book will seem like a no-brainer for many, he has to do it, because these things are not no-brainers to everyone. And even some of the things he mentions that I already knew caused me to think about those aspects of writing a novel in a more pointed and focused manner. Gerke engages the reader from page one, and he manages to keep our attention because his writing style is not dry, even in a book like this.
So, I would recommend it to anyone who is Although a lot of what Gerke explains in this book will seem like a no-brainer for many, he has to do it, because these things are not no-brainers to everyone. So, I would recommend it to anyone who is not already published and happily on his or her way to a writer's life of bliss and income. May 30, Andrew Haile rated it it was amazing.
Highly recommend this for novice and experienced writers. Extremely helpful and Jeff Gerke does a great job of giving examples of movies and specific scenes throughout the book to convey his meaning and it made me understand with such ease. Jun 18, Shiloh rated it it was amazing Shelves: Straightforward, plain-spoken examination of what a novel needs to do in order to hook an agent, an editor, and ultimately a reader.
Great introductory overviews to things like plot, dialogue, character, structure, etc. Feb 15, Callie Sutcliffe rated it it was amazing. Like taking a college class. Thank you to the author, Jeff Gerke, for taking the time to write one of the most helpful books an author could possibly read. Aug 10, Elisabeth Warner rated it really liked it. A wealth of information that I quickly digested in two days.
With all due respect, I only gave this book four stars because I did not like some of his wishy-washy advice. Jun 22, pianogal rated it really liked it Shelves: This book was good. I'm not sure that he'd write the best romance novel, though. Most of his advice seems to feature his type of adventure book. Which works, but maybe isn't the best plan for other genres. May 11, Summer Matthias Herondale rated it it was amazing.
Great advice really inspires me to work on my novel more: Jun 17, N. Many important tips for beginning your novel well. Jun 12, Eliza rated it it was amazing Shelves: I loved it so much that I decided to check out The First 50 Pages before beginning my next novel's first draft.
The First 50 Pages: Engage Agents, Editors and Readers, and Set Up Your Novel for Success
This was an excellent idea. From the importance of the first line to why it's important to show the present state of the MC, this guide has helped me fine tune the first third of my novel to create stronger charact The first Jeff Gerke style guide I read - Write Your Novel in a Month: If you are even thinking about submitting your book for query, give First 50 Pages a read to make sure your WIP is on track!
Nov 19, Kourtney rated it it was amazing Shelves: The First 50 Pages by Jeff Gerke is an insightful look at what agents and editors are truly looking for in the first 50 pages of a novel. I had the opportunity to hear Mr. He was a terrific speaker who provided lots of examples and explanations.
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His workshop was one of the best at the conference The First 50 Pages by Jeff Gerke is an insightful look at what agents and editors are truly looking for in the first 50 pages of a novel. His workshop was one of the best at the conference. The first part of the book is dedicated to explaining the submission process. Some important points he raised are that your opening lines must hook the reader. He also talks of the three bombs: A problem with any of these can blow up a book and not in an Oprah knocking on your door sort of way.
The rest of the book focuses on what your first 50 pages must do. A lot a lot. Where I needed to work further on them. What was not working in their first 50 pages. I felt like he was talking right to me and sharing his personal experiences. He used lots of movies as examples which made concepts much easier to grasp and apply later to my own work. This is a must read for any writer submitting their work to agents and editors.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Books by Jeff Gerke. Trivia About The First 50 Page It would probably take me minutes for a textbook.
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Heatware 50 Positive, 0 Negative. It depends on HOW you read. By the way, it's actually faster to read non fictions, esp. I would expect to read a 50 page chapter in about 2 hours.
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After reading it once, I would be able to read it the second time in about an hour and a half. I could read faster, but I find my retention drops rapidly. Depends on how long I stare at the centerfold I am quite suprised about the responses. Now I think I'm a really slow reader compared to most of you.
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I read every word from the textbook and usually 50 pages per chapter takes me about 5 hours. I need a new strategy. Here comes another semester I have tons of reading to do. Five courses in total.