Listen free for 30 days

  • Write Your Novel from the Middle

  • A New Approach for Plotters, Pantsers and Everyone in Between
  • Written by: James Scott Bell
  • Narrated by: James Scott Bell
  • Length: 2 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (15 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Write Your Novel from the Middle cover art

Write Your Novel from the Middle

Written by: James Scott Bell
Narrated by: James Scott Bell
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $8.71

Buy Now for $8.71

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

A powerful secret and a fresh approach to writing bestselling fiction!

What's the best way to write a "next level" novel? Some writers start at the beginning and let the story unfold without a plan. They are called "pantsers", because they write by the "seat of the pants".

Other writers plan and outline and know the ending before they start. These are the "plotters".

The two sides never seem to agree with each other on the best approach.

But what if it's not the beginning or the end that is the key to a successful book? What if, amazing as it may seem, the place to begin writing your novel is in the very middle of the story?

According to #1 bestselling writing teacher James Scott Bell, that's exactly where you'll find your story's heart and heat. Bell's "Mirror Moment" is the secret, and its power is available to any writer, at any stage of the writing process.

Bringing together years of craft study and personal discovery, Bell presents a truly unique approach to writing a novel, one that will stand the test of time and serve you all your writing life.

©2014 James Scott Bell (P)2019 James Scott Bell
  • Unabridged Audiobook

What the critics say

"I need three things before I tackle a new novel: Diet Coke, a laptop, and my dog-eared copies of James Scott Bell's books on writing craft!" (Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times and International Bestselling author)

What listeners say about Write Your Novel from the Middle

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    8
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Classic JBS-Infinitely useful and to the point

So satisfying. And helpful. James explains his techniques, giving practical tips and examples along the way in his usual direct and interesting manner. I’ve read and listened to this book multiple times - my writing has improved.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

good but short

It was honestly helpful to me, but it's just light on content. Might not be worth the price tag.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the Better (Best?) Books on Writing

There are some books that should be short and are stretched out to is stretched out to fill some sort of page count this is the opposite. It's a book that is almost too short. I kind of forget what parts make up the golden triangle and how to create those parts. But that's okay, since it's so short I can reread it.

I highly recommend if you do buy the audio book to make sure you create bookmarks marks. Or you could buy the physical books that you can reference those parts and put in sticky notes. Do do it's length or maybe simply to the author's approach it's not as deep as it could be—but then again it doesn't have to be...? So, I'm not going to fault it for that.

The method that this book chooses is that you is that you nail down 3 core parts and the knowing these things will drive you to the end to the end.They are, a good back story a mirror moment for the midpoint and then proof that the character changed by the end.

It's clear to me that this book is somewhat more fitting for people who plan, and that's just fine. I will be taking inspiration from this and creating my own 3 point golden triangle that is a little bit different, and works better with a more spontaneous writing approach. Plan a character goal, and put something in the environment / cast that tries to stop them, something like that, so I can preserve the "freedom" of my protagonist.

But it's not great? His book is so well structured and well written and well explained that I'm able to extract the core principle and use it in my own way. And you don't even have to do this because his original idea is perfect for most cases. I'm just particularly picky in my approach. Definitely grab this book for help with a new approach to writing. (Just make sure to check if the book price is lower than a credit price, and buy it outright if it's cheaper than a credit so you don't waste your money!)

This is one of only a handful of books on writing that I recommend to every writer pretty much for any reason definitely pick it up you won't regret regret your money or your time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A touch overwhelming

I love Bell’s work—well organized and engaging. Because he organizes around lists, though, I find the audio format (where I can’t *see* the layout) overwhelms me a little. So much to do! I suspect that his methods will become intuitive with a little practice.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book

The book provides excellent advise on how to develop stronger books. The author provides concrete examples of how to improve character development and character moments to ensure a great read. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!