Write a book in 28 days?...

[Dsannielk]

Guaranteed published in 90 days?



I came across this (http://www.writequickly.com/author/menu.aspx) earlier today.



An English guy called Nick Daws claims you can write a best seller and publish it in 90 days. He guarantees, not published in 90 days? Not happy? You get a full refund.



Yada ya.



So what do you all think? Is this credible?



Seems a bit too good to be true methinks…

[loquax]

I pasted the article into Word and did a find and replace on "!"

59 replacements.

[Maryn]

If Mr. Daws is right, then why aren't there dozens of best sellers by Nick Daws? Sounds like a plan to separate hopeful writer from money.

Maryn, distrustful

[Uncarved]

completely possible


Sit down, type random words till they equal anything.
Submit to PublishAmerica, you'll have a contract within 9 days, LOL


Guaranteed published in 90 days?



I came across this (http://www.writequickly.com/author/menu.aspx) earlier today.



An English guy called Nick Daws claims you can write a best seller and publish it in 90 days. He guarantees, not published in 90 days? Not happy? You get a full refund.



Yada ya.



So what do you all think? Is this credible?



Seems a bit too good to be true methinks…

[rtilryarms]

Well, I hate to speak down on self-help books. It probably will help some people.

But.

If I google "Nick Daws" and "Best Seller" I get one page of self promotion and advertisement.

If, on the other hand, I google "Tom Clancy" and "Best Seller" I get many lists of books which he wrote that BECAME best sellers.

The same with Robert Ludlum.

the Same with Jenna Glatzer.

But not one for Nick Daws.

I think i would have to challenge his "Best Seller" bona fides. Amazon does not support that claim.

[MadScientistMatt]

Nick's claim: "In the past three years alone, Nick Dawes has written over 30 bestsellers." A search of Amazon turned up less than half that many books total, many of them out of print, and most with sales ranks in the millions. The only thing I can say to his credit is that the publisher does not appear to be a vanity press. He claims that a book can not only be written in 28 days, but that one only needs to spend an hour each day at it. That would mean around 2,000 - 3,000 words per hour - YIKES!

And to top it off, the endorsement from Don Strauss is dated April Fools' Day.

[zornhau]

in 28 days, but that one only needs to spend an hour each day at it. That would mean around 2,000 - 3,000 words per hour - YIKES!

And to top it off, the endorsement from Don Strauss is dated April Fools' Day.

I asked SL Viehl how many good words she writes in a day. Her answer:
By good words, I'm assuming you mean words I'm not going to delete or rewrite during the evening or final edit. I usually write an average of 15-20K per day, but of those I usually overhaul or lose 3-5K during the edits, so about 12-15K.
http://zornhau.livejournal.com/72415.html
But that's in a full day's writing.

(She can certainly write a book in 28 days, and she has written bestsellers. So perhaps here book on how she does it might be more useful than the one mentioned upthread: http://shop.hollylisle.com/index.php?crn=1&rn=359&action=show_detail )

[Jamesaritchie]

I asked SL Viehl how many good words she writes in a day. Her answer:By good words, I'm assuming you mean words I'm not going to delete or rewrite during the evening or final edit. I usually write an average of 15-20K per day, but of those I usually overhaul or lose 3-5K during the edits, so about 12-15K.
http://zornhau.livejournal.com/72415.html
But that's in a full day's writing.

(She can certainly write a book in 28 days, and she has written bestsellers. So perhaps here book on how she does it might be more useful than the one mentioned upthread: http://shop.hollylisle.com/index.php?crn=1&rn=359&action=show_detail )

That's just weird. Even 15K per day is three very long novels per month, or thirty-six very long novels per year. I believe good writing can be done quickly, but I believe I'll pass on anything written this quickly.

[Jamesaritchie]

Guaranteed published in 90 days?



I came across this (http://www.writequickly.com/author/menu.aspx) earlier today.



An English guy called Nick Daws claims you can write a best seller and publish it in 90 days. He guarantees, not published in 90 days? Not happy? You get a full refund.



Yada ya.



So what do you all think? Is this credible?



Seems a bit too good to be true methinks…

A fool and his money. . .

[Kasey Mackenzie]

_Definitely_ too good to be true. If it were that easy there would be a _lot_ fewer talented "midlist" authors and many more "bestselling" authors. Cause I can assure you that they would have already snapped up this *cough* self-help book and put it to good use. That they haven't is a good clue right there.

[badducky]

Heck, if I can write a full 15-page poli sci research paper in twenty-four hours and make an "A" like I did a few years ago when I was younger and more energetic, I bet I can write a novel in 28 days.

But, why would I hurt myself like that? Why would I damage my relations with the world like that? Who am I? Kerouac? As much as I want to lose my mind, I'd much rather take a little more time then that.

Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should.

And, I'm sure Mr. Daws wrote the book he's hawking in 28 days. (59 Exclamation points...)

[zornhau]

That's just weird.

My initial response, and those of my peers, had more expletives.


Even 15K per day is three very long novels per month, or thirty-six very long novels per year. I believe good writing can be done quickly, but I believe I'll pass on anything written this quickly.

Well, for a start, she's actually a rather good , so you'd be missing out! Her sales vindicate her quality: IIRC she sold 11 books last year, but I'm not sure if that includes write-for-hire contract work.

Her explanation is that she's been writing for 30 years. However, I suspect it helps that her SF tends to happen in a well established universe, and that her novels tend to focus on just one viewpoint character, with several supporting characters.

Given she sells what she writes to proper publishers, and lives rather well, it seems reasonable that she has something to teach us.

[NeuroFizz]

Writing should never be a get-rich-quick scheme, either from a monetary viewpoint, or from a creative one.

[aadams73]

Well, for a start, she's actually a rather good , so you'd be missing out! Her sales vindicate her quality: IIRC she sold 11 books last year, but I'm not sure if that includes write-for-hire contract work.


Given she sells what she writes to proper publishers, and lives rather well, it seems reasonable that she has something to teach us.

She's fabulous! And she spends a great deal of time giving truly helpful advice to us aspiring writers via her blog.

[James D. Macdonald]

I usually overhaul or lose 3-5K during the edits, so about 12-15K.

I wonder if a decimal point went missing? I manage maybe 1.2K per day. 12-15K words is forty-eight to sixty pages in manuscript format. Four point eight to six pages, on the other hand, is entirely believable.

But back to the question: Nick Daws has been known of, and roundly laughed at, for years. That's how long that web page of his has been up.

(If you are planning to write a novel-length manuscript in under a month, using an hour a day, consider in investing in a couple of these (http://www.karatedepot.com/tr-ex-05.html).)

[zornhau]

>I wonder if a decimal point went missing?

That was pro-writer acquaintance's considered response as well. But no, that really is her daily wordcount.

[maestrowork]

There's also voice dictation software. No typing! So if you talk very fast.... it's possible that you could finish a novel in 28 days.

[zornhau]

I think that's how SLV does it.

[Jamesaritchie]

>I wonder if a decimal point went missing?

That was pro-writer acquaintance's considered response as well. But no, that really is her daily wordcount.

You'd think her list of published novels would be a heck of a lot longer than it is.

Max Brand (Frederick Faust) once averaged 26,000 words per day for an entire year, but his list of published work was correspondingly long.

[Jamesaritchie]

My initial response, and those of my peers, had more expletives.



Well, for a start, she's actually a rather good , so you'd be missing out! Her sales vindicate her quality: IIRC she sold 11 books last year, but I'm not sure if that includes write-for-hire contract work.

Her explanation is that she's been writing for 30 years. However, I suspect it helps that her SF tends to happen in a well established universe, and that her novels tend to focus on just one viewpoint character, with several supporting characters.

Given she sells what she writes to proper publishers, and lives rather well, it seems reasonable that she has something to teach us.

After looking at some of her novels, I'll still pass. Definitely not things I want to read. After thrity years, books should be harder and slower, not faster and easier.

[BuffStuff]

I liked it. It's relatively cheap and if you don't like the specific technique he discusses in the course then you can get your money back. In the discussion that I've had with him (Daws) he seems like a stand up guy.

He runs a few writing sites:

www.mywritingblog.com (http://www.mywritingblog.com)

http://www.nickdaws.co.uk (http://www.nickdaws.co.uk).

and:

http://www.mywriterscircle.com (http://www.mywriterscircle.com)

Email him if you have any questions. Much of the information in the course is dedicated to non-fiction, but he includes many examples of how the technique can be applied to fiction. The primary technique he teaches isn't earth shattering in my opinion but it is an interesting slant on novel-writing and if it resonates with you, and helps you to write faster, then great. If not, then get your money back.

[Akuma]

28 days???

Well, I'm not sure...at least the zombies will be dead by then.

NETFEED/NEWS
(Visual: clip from British zombie movie)
Today the renowned writer and antagonist Akuma made another bad joke which nobody understood.
AKUMA: 28 days? Zombies? Get it? Aw, I've got nothin'.

[CaroGirl]

28 days???

Well, I'm not sure...at least the zombies will be dead by then.

NETFEED/NEWS
(Visual: clip from British zombie movie)
Today the renowned writer and antagonist Akuma made another bad joke which nobody understood.
AKUMA: 28 days? Zombies? Get it? Aw, I've got nothin'.
Good movie! I always wonder how on earth they managed to film London without a soul in sight during that opening scene. Fascinates me every time.

[maestrowork]

I happen to enjoy life. For those who don't, writing 12K words a day might be your calling. Keep that up and you may live to 45 years old.

[BuffStuff]

Carogirl wrote:

>>>Good movie! I always wonder how on earth they managed to film London without a soul in sight during that opening scene. Fascinates me every time.

The film crew hired Chuck Norris.

-BS

[aadams73]

You'd think her list of published novels would be a heck of a lot longer than it is.


I believe most of her writing is WFH and/or written under a pseudonym.

[expatbrat]

Hey all,

I was going to say “ I am the sucker how bought this course about 12 months ago when I first started writing. It sux! Do not buy it. The Thai's use CD's as reflectors on their food carts - this is all I think Mr Daw’s book is good for.”

Then I opened the file on my computer and started reviewing it. It is not actually that bad. It is just an e-book in 4 sections so you can read a quarter of the book a day and feel like it’s a course… but really that is all a course is right? It does come with exercises to get you writing but none these are original ideas, they are all available in other books or even on this site.

The course seems to be aimed at professional who would benefit from having a book published. For example – as a personal trainer it would help me get clients and allow me to put my rates up if I had a book for sale in the gym or whatever. He does talk about self publishing as for his target audience - this is perhaps the only option available to these people’s work.

If you are just starting to think about writing it is perhaps ok. It is short and to the point. There is less fluff than other writing books I have read, and while it is a little high-horse you-can-be-as-clever-as-me, so are most of the other writing books I have forced myself thru.

Section one is on how to be a writer and covers topics like: why write, over coming excuses not to write (like I was crap at English in school), and prompts and writing exercises to get you started.

Section two discusses coming up with a killer title, some of these ideas I thought were ok. It also spends a many a word on how to find ideas – which would be useful for someone who is like “oooh I so love to move my fingers over the key board but I just have no idea what to write.” This is not me, I have far more ideas than I have time so did not find it useful. But if you are a bit no-idea then this could benefit you.

Section two also explains the hero’s journey and the 4 C’s of Character, Conflict, Crisis and Change and how to write a story with these elements.

Section three gets down to the nitty gritty of writing and discusses POV, transitions, using quotes, show don’t tell, pace, settings and descriptions, research, outlining, deciding on chapter numbers for your gene, editing and writing with flare. Each of these is given a few hundred words and would be an ok introduction with a writer with NFI. Reading this may save you a few hours searching around this message forum for the same info –if you are more careful about your time than your money perhaps this will be what you want.

The final section explains what a synopsis is, how to get testimonials, marketing and also spends a fair chunk of time on POD self publishing.

For anyone who already writes, knows what they want to write and have heard clever jargon like POV and “show, don’t tell,” it will be a bit basic for you. To a pure beginner it would be a better place to start than “writing about your life” by William Zinsser – I have been struggling with Williams fluff for a few months now and it simply puts me to sleep.

As I already have the Nic Daw’s course I might re-read it. If I did not have it I would not buy it, nor would I recommend it for most people who visit this site regularly.

[BuffStuff]

Most of the information is quite basic, true. I'd echo what you wrote, and say it's a good course for beginners-intermediate level writers. The specific technique that he teaches as far as outlining & writing the book can possibly be quite useful to anyone, depending upon the writer. One man' meat is another's poison, after all. I don't want to give away the main meat of the course but it is based on a specific free-writing technique.

[Jamesaritchie]

I believe most of her writing is WFH and/or written under a pseudonym.

Yes, I know most of what she's written as work for hire, and I think everything she's written under pseudonyms. It still doesn't make a very long list for someone who writes so many words per day.

[maestrowork]

...As I already have the Nic Daw’s course I might re-read it. If I did not have it I would not buy it, nor would I recommend it for most people who visit this site regularly.

Everything you've described is basic stuff that has been covered by many books and writing courses. Nothing new. And none of that tells you how to write a novel in 28 days. False advertising, I'd say.

[Jamesaritchie]

This course isn't bad for a business professional who wishes to write a book on his specialty. Such a book really requires nothing in the way of talent. It requires an intimate knowledge of the business, a name that's big enough to make publishers pay attention, and the willingness to sit down and put words on paper.

But anyone who buys this course thinking it's going to help woth a novel is dreaming.

There's nothing new about this course, it's been around forever, and before it was around tehre was another, almost identical course. Both work best as a method of getting people to spend money. There isn't even anything in this course you can't find in five minutes or so on Google for free.

Unles you're a business profession who just wants to know how to put your business expertise down on paper in an organized manner, which you also houldn't have to pay for, this course makes no more sense than any other empty promise.

[expatbrat]

Everything you've described is basic stuff that has been covered by many books and writing courses. Nothing new. And none of that tells you how to write a novel in 28 days. False advertising, I'd say.

It does have a section on writing a non-fiction book in 28 days. Basically he tells you to write the chapter titles, then a bunch of sub headings, and then you go fill in bla bla bla for each sub heading. Like a book long article really. As others have said - this would work if you were an expert in your field wanting to get a book out (published?) quickly. Following this formula I guess you could do a book in 28 days. I bet no one does, but it is possible.

Agreed - it is not ground breaking and there is nothing new. And I would doubt anyone who bought the course (it is just a CD with a e-book like file loaded on it) would really write a book in 28 days. People like this make their money on people not bothering to send things back. I didn't - most wont.

Please note I am not endorsing it. I am just telling you what is in it. It IS very basic. And there is nothing new or fresh in there. It is short and rather fluff free which nice.

[zornhau]

Yes, I know most of what she's written as work for hire, and I think everything she's written under pseudonyms. It still doesn't make a very long list for someone who writes so many words per day.

What we don't know is what her downtime is.

[CallyW]

Good movie! I always wonder how on earth they managed to film London without a soul in sight during that opening scene. Fascinates me every time.

They filmed it very early in the morning.

[scarlet]

Hi All,

I can assure you Nick Daws is no con artist. He's a highly respected writer, writing tutor and editor. He is also the originator of MyWritersCircle.com: another thriving forum. We were colleagues last year and I found his advice to be spot on and I still turn to him for information and have never been let down. He also sends out an extremely useful newsletter.

Although I haven't got his 'Write Any Book in 28 Days' I have read many testimonials from satisfied people. One of which I have copied below with information on how to find out more:

As one purchaser (Becky Mundt from Morgan Hill, California) wrote:

<<This course is wonderful.
I've had so many new ideas in the last 2 days it's almost
scary!

I did not notice that the modules were labeled by weeks,
and completed the first module in the first day. How exhilarating!
I wrote dialogue in the free writing exercise, which amazed
me as I have always thought I hated dialogue!

The ten questions idea is so powerful that it has launched
a whole new set of thoughts for me around how to approach
any project I am considering, whether business or writing.

In fact, speaking with a graphic designer I adore, who was
in the midst of a huge new project she just landed, I gave
her the tip to use this technique to be sure she meets all the
requirements of the highclass law firm she is designing new
brochures and project proposal lay out work for!
It was clear to us as we discussed it that this would benefit
her right away, and we were both stunned at how simple
and effective this tool is.

So, here's to you and a great course, I am certain my first book
will be completed within the 28 days, in fact, I might even beat
that deadline! And I've already had another project idea that
provides me with plenty of opportunity to develop another whole
line of business as I go...>>

My publishers have many other such letters on file, some of which you can read on their website. But before you go there, first check out my website at http://www.nickdaws.co.uk/writeany.htm (http://www.nickdaws.co.uk/writeany.htm) to see a substantial extract from the course material.

I know I have other testimonials saying they have completed their books but it means I have to wade through two years of newsletters to find it. I will do if it is vitally important but you could go to above and find the links to his publishers W.C.C.L. and read them there yourself.

I have another of his courses 'Quick Cash Writing' which is also proving to be invaluable. It came with free short story software.

However, 'one man's meat is another man's poison' and one course might suit one and not another. I can assure you though he is a 100% genuine guy!

[Akuma]

They filmed it very early in the morning.

Blast my gullible nature and the emotionless nature of words.
I can't tell if you're serious or not. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteDisappear.gif

[CallyW]

Blast my gullible nature and the emotionless nature of words.
I can't tell if you're serious or not. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/emoteDisappear.gif

It's true. I watched an interview with the guy who directed it and he said that they went out really early in the morning just after the sun came up and filmed it then.

[maestrowork]

The same with Vanila Sky with Tom Cruise. They filmed it very early in New York (they also blocked a few streets). A deserted NYC -- really cool.

[expatbrat]

Hi All,

IThe ten questions idea is so powerful that it has launched
a whole new set of thoughts for me around how to approach
any project I am considering, whether business or writing.

In fact, speaking with a graphic designer I adore, who was
in the midst of a huge new project she just landed, I gave
her the tip to use this technique to be sure she meets all the
requirements of the highclass law firm she is designing new
brochures and project proposal lay out work for!
It was clear to us as we discussed it that this would benefit
her right away, and we were both stunned at how simple
and effective this tool is.

!
Ha ha... if coming up with a good idea was all it took... he he he - I am still laughing at that.

Ideas are NOTHING. Ideas are cheap and easy. It is the getting down and doing it, it is the flow and rhythm and the painting of a picture with words.

Ideas -- I have so many ideas... he he he ~~ If only we could feed those ideas into a "completed" or "finished" machine that would magically turn ideas into reality. ha ha ha. Stop it - it is like you are tickling me. My tummy hurts...

[LightShadow]

Anyone can write a book in 28 days - - it just takes a lot longer to re-write it and re-write it and make sure it is acceptable. Oh, and 28 days later was a cool movie...

[expatbrat]

Scarlet,

I just looked at your profile and website. Ok - you are writing articles. That is different. To make money selling articles you need lots and lots of ideas that you query, write, send, rinse and repeat.

But writing a book??? This thread is in "writing novels" so I assumed the question was based on writing a NOVEL in 28 days... which I don't believe Nic's course could teach someone to do.

If you are someone who has done so much public speaking on your topic that you have a million power points on your subject then sure, you could write a book in 28 days. If you are this person most of the research is already done. Like I said in my review - the course would benefit some who wanted a nice published book to sign at the end of convention lectures and sell to their audience – if only they had an idea.

Karen

[maestrowork]

Anyone can write a book in 28 days - - it just takes a lot longer to re-write it and re-write it and make sure it is acceptable. Oh, and 28 days later was a cool movie...

Good point. Yah, anyone can write a book in 28 days -- those folks at Nano showed us that can be done all the time... but the question is, is the book any good? It may take you 28 days to write one, but how long would it take for you to finish rewriting one? From my experience, the quicker you write the first draft, the longer it takes for the second...

[TrickyFiction]

I think it's weird that this ("before MIDNIGHT, Friday, April 7th 2006") date keeps changing on the "special offer."

[KTC]

I wrote one in 3 days. No biggy!

http://pub.picnet.org/blog/item/102/

Now...it's going to take 365 days to edit it, but...hehe...what do I have but time?

[three seven]

I think it's weird that this ("before MIDNIGHT, Friday, April 7th 2006") date keeps changing on the "special offer."That's retail. It's like the DFS sale - it absolutely MUST end 5pm Sunday. Every Sunday, because it starts at 9am every Monday.

[batgirl]

I wrote one in 3 days. No biggy!

http://pub.picnet.org/blog/item/102/

Now...it's going to take 365 days to edit it, but...hehe...what do I have but time?
Hey, I thought you were referring to the venerable (nearly 30 years old!) Pulp Press Three-Day Novel contest. So there's another? Cool!
I found the link for the Pulp Press one: http://www.3daynovel.com/
If I'd ever had the nerve to enter it, which I haven't, I'd scoff here at the lazy NaNoWriMo lot, dawdling along for a whole month, instead of buckling down and getting it done over the Labour Day long weekend ... But I can't. Pity, haven't scoffed in ages.
-Barbara

[KTC]

I tried that one before too, Bat. The one I did at the Pickering Library, though, was live and in person...so much more exciting. There were about 15 of us. It was a writing frenzy. We actually made the news. And we raised some nice cash for the shelter too. The organizer, Martin Avery, also does one every July in Muskoka. Unfortunately I can't make that one. Maybe next time. The winter one in Pickering was a blast. If ever you get a chance to go to one, don't miss out on the opportunity.