What do you think?
Rate this book
The Writer's Toolbox
The 12 Key Pillars of Novel Construction: Your Blueprint for Building a Strong Story
The 12 Key Pillars of Novel Construction takes the mystery out of building a solid story and shows you how to go from idea to complete novel in practical, easy-to-understand steps. Build smart!
Over and over, struggling writers make the same fatal mistakes in their manuscripts. Even writers who have studied all the best writing craft books and taken workshops and followed writers’ blogs still don’t get the structure. Truth is, a lot of writers believe they can write a novel without taking time to learn the nuts and bolts of novel construction. Just as with building a house, writers need to adeptly wield the proper tools and materials, and follow structurally sound rules if they hope to “build a novel.” Build strong!
Smart writers will take the time to learn how to structure strong pillars that will hold up their novels. This new comprehensive writing craft book clearly lays out just how to build each essential pillar so it can carry the weight of your story. Without such foundational support, collapse is inevitable. There are 12 key pillars of novel construction, and if any of these pillars is weak, made of faulty materials, it will compromise the integrity of your novel. Build a novel that will stand up to scrutiny and thrill readers!
Inside, you’ll what the four primary support pillars are, and why and how you need to build those first, before tackling any other components in your novel. how to determine if an idea has the potential to become a riveting concept with a kicker, and how to transform that idea into a stunning concept. what high stakes is really all about and how to ensure your novel is exploding with them. the secret to creating a riveting protagonist, and the two goals he needs to be pursuing. what tension really is and how to ramp it up in your novel. the key to portraying evocative settings and how to come up with them. 7 important tips to creating believable dialog. what voice is, and how it differs from writing style. ways to brainstorm ideas for plot, themes, motifs, setting, and rich characters through asking a series of questions that will take you deep below the surface of your story. what the difference is between theme and motif, and why both are essential. Ideas and instructions on how to mind map your characters, plot, settings, themes—all the important elements of your story—and integrate them into your 12 pillars. In addition, you’ll get 12 comprehensive “inspection checklists,” each with 12 sets of deep, thought-provoking questions meant to ensure your pillars are truly strong enough to hold the weight of your story. You need to pass every inspection! Don’t waste time trying to guess at novel structure. By using this concise, detailed blueprint, you can be sure you’ll end up with a terrific novel—every time!
Now in paperback--The 12 Key Pillars Workbook!Be sure to order yours on Amazon so you can build your novel step by step!
Over and over, struggling writers make the same fatal mistakes in their manuscripts. Even writers who have studied all the best writing craft books and taken workshops and followed writers’ blogs still don’t get the structure. Truth is, a lot of writers believe they can write a novel without taking time to learn the nuts and bolts of novel construction. Just as with building a house, writers need to adeptly wield the proper tools and materials, and follow structurally sound rules if they hope to “build a novel.” Build strong!
Smart writers will take the time to learn how to structure strong pillars that will hold up their novels. This new comprehensive writing craft book clearly lays out just how to build each essential pillar so it can carry the weight of your story. Without such foundational support, collapse is inevitable. There are 12 key pillars of novel construction, and if any of these pillars is weak, made of faulty materials, it will compromise the integrity of your novel. Build a novel that will stand up to scrutiny and thrill readers!
Inside, you’ll what the four primary support pillars are, and why and how you need to build those first, before tackling any other components in your novel. how to determine if an idea has the potential to become a riveting concept with a kicker, and how to transform that idea into a stunning concept. what high stakes is really all about and how to ensure your novel is exploding with them. the secret to creating a riveting protagonist, and the two goals he needs to be pursuing. what tension really is and how to ramp it up in your novel. the key to portraying evocative settings and how to come up with them. 7 important tips to creating believable dialog. what voice is, and how it differs from writing style. ways to brainstorm ideas for plot, themes, motifs, setting, and rich characters through asking a series of questions that will take you deep below the surface of your story. what the difference is between theme and motif, and why both are essential. Ideas and instructions on how to mind map your characters, plot, settings, themes—all the important elements of your story—and integrate them into your 12 pillars. In addition, you’ll get 12 comprehensive “inspection checklists,” each with 12 sets of deep, thought-provoking questions meant to ensure your pillars are truly strong enough to hold the weight of your story. You need to pass every inspection! Don’t waste time trying to guess at novel structure. By using this concise, detailed blueprint, you can be sure you’ll end up with a terrific novel—every time!
Now in paperback--The 12 Key Pillars Workbook!Be sure to order yours on Amazon so you can build your novel step by step!
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2015
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 17, 2016
I'm always looking for a good book to help me with my novel construction. This book delivers. The author explains the concepts quite well, and I even learned something new (which doesn't often happen). The first four pillars are pretty basic, and there is some repetition (in titles, in transitions from one section to another, and in basic information at times). But they're good to go over if you want a solid story foundation.
The last pillars were the most interesting, talking about theme (the heart of your story) and motif (recurring symbolism within the story). Theme gets less and less elusive the more I read about it, and Lakin's explanation was as good as any I've heard. The motif pillar blew my mind, and I've latched onto that idea quite enthusiastically. :)
I also love that there are links to checklists, so when you get done with the book, you have a distilled version of the information for checking against your story structure. Only thing that would have made that better is having a page where you can download everything, since I read it on my Kindle and didn't want to use the experimental browser for all those goodies.
A solid read for anyone looking to widen their understanding of how to compile the components of your story into a cohesive unit. **This is not a book on the particulars of plot structure. If you're looking for that, I recommend Monica Leonelle's Nail Your Story: Add Tension, Build Emotion, and Keep Your Readers Addicted or K.M. Weiland's Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story.
The last pillars were the most interesting, talking about theme (the heart of your story) and motif (recurring symbolism within the story). Theme gets less and less elusive the more I read about it, and Lakin's explanation was as good as any I've heard. The motif pillar blew my mind, and I've latched onto that idea quite enthusiastically. :)
I also love that there are links to checklists, so when you get done with the book, you have a distilled version of the information for checking against your story structure. Only thing that would have made that better is having a page where you can download everything, since I read it on my Kindle and didn't want to use the experimental browser for all those goodies.
A solid read for anyone looking to widen their understanding of how to compile the components of your story into a cohesive unit. **This is not a book on the particulars of plot structure. If you're looking for that, I recommend Monica Leonelle's Nail Your Story: Add Tension, Build Emotion, and Keep Your Readers Addicted or K.M. Weiland's Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story.
Read
March 23, 2017good book but i'm not rating it bc of how arophobic it was at one point.
September 22, 2020
This is a step-by-step process to write a novel with examples you can actually use.
March 10, 2019
A solid method of structuring your story or book.
March 16, 2020
The most enlightening and comprehensive book I've read on craft. Pulls everything together, all the elements I was struggling to juggle. Tremendously helpful.
February 6, 2017
I will most likely refer back to this book many times (seeing as I highlighted a good portion of it). Being new to the novel-writing field, there were a lot of great considerations that Ms. Lakin pointed out. I found her to be very thorough in explaining her 12 Pillars. Several authors will probably differ with her about which pillars are the four strongest, but whatever the case may be, she had great information for pretty much all aspects of novel-writing.
Many of the things she pointed out made me go, "OH! That's what was wrong with _______ novel that I couldn't put my finger on." I agreed so much with her about the many novelists out there who publish their works before it really has enough substance. Reading this has also made me rethink a lot of my own writing.
I really enjoyed the 12 links she shared for print-outs. Those I will likely use and reuse. Though I'm not as much of a planner, they are still very helpful for brainstorming.
I would recommend this to 16+ for conservative readers. To my memory, there was mainly one plot example she gave that disgusted me...she did refer to many books and movies that I've not read/watched, so whether or not those are edifying for the Christian to read, I don't know. However, in using those examples, I found that I could come away with the message she was trying to expound upon without me personally wanting to go and watch/read them all.
One of the MANY quotes I highlighted:
"Don’t try to cram by flipping through a few how-to books and reading a couple of articles. Becoming adept at any difficult skill takes hard work and practice. You need that hands-on experience and the 'book' learning to become a great novelist."
Many of the things she pointed out made me go, "OH! That's what was wrong with _______ novel that I couldn't put my finger on." I agreed so much with her about the many novelists out there who publish their works before it really has enough substance. Reading this has also made me rethink a lot of my own writing.
I really enjoyed the 12 links she shared for print-outs. Those I will likely use and reuse. Though I'm not as much of a planner, they are still very helpful for brainstorming.
I would recommend this to 16+ for conservative readers. To my memory, there was mainly one plot example she gave that disgusted me...she did refer to many books and movies that I've not read/watched, so whether or not those are edifying for the Christian to read, I don't know. However, in using those examples, I found that I could come away with the message she was trying to expound upon without me personally wanting to go and watch/read them all.
One of the MANY quotes I highlighted:
"Don’t try to cram by flipping through a few how-to books and reading a couple of articles. Becoming adept at any difficult skill takes hard work and practice. You need that hands-on experience and the 'book' learning to become a great novelist."
November 10, 2017
Essential for all beginning and intermediate authors!
This is the best book I've ever read on writing! You must use it as a workbook to form the blueprint for the novel you are writing. Once you do this, the rest is almost paint by numbers. But, you must understand that constructing the blueprint is the hardest part. All beginning and intermediate authors must study this book.
This is the best book I've ever read on writing! You must use it as a workbook to form the blueprint for the novel you are writing. Once you do this, the rest is almost paint by numbers. But, you must understand that constructing the blueprint is the hardest part. All beginning and intermediate authors must study this book.
April 18, 2015
If you are a writer, this is one book you need to read. C.S. Lakin provides a context for structuring a book, completed with blueprint and instructions. Very insightful. If you feel your story needs strengthening, read this.
December 31, 2021
The best part of this book is the discussion of the 4 cornerstone pillars and how they need to be figured out together. I'm a developmental editor/writing coach too and I 100% agree that many stories fail because they're either missing one of these elements -- a concept with a kicker, conflict with high stakes, a protagonist with a goal -- or the elements don't fit together into a cohesive whole.
I'd make the 4th cornerstone pillar optional. Lakin describes herself as a character-driven novelist and uses many literary upmarket fiction examples. In those novels, theme with a heart (the 4th pillar) may be a requirement, but for many of the commercial fiction novelists, theme is more of a "nice to have". Your cozy mystery sleuth or fast-paced thriller hero don't need to have a growth arc. The sleuth needs to solve the mystery and the thriller hero needs to save the victims and defeat the villain. If there's a message about humanity in those actions, that's a bonus.
I think the 8 secondary pillars will be most helpful to upmarket and literary fiction authors.
The first of the secondary pillars is about scenes and scene construction. I agree with the author that this is a major problem in novels by new authors. I found her advice about how to construct scenes a bit nebulous. I imagine her method would appeal to authors who want a system that gives you a lot of freedom and not many rules. Plot-driven authors tend to need more specific guidelines about what's expected in their genre.
I was a bit surprised by how little plot was discussed in the 8 secondary pillars. But again, I think this is because Lakin is targeting literary and upmarket fiction authors, over commercial fiction.
- And I think plot and scenes are under emphasized
I'd make the 4th cornerstone pillar optional. Lakin describes herself as a character-driven novelist and uses many literary upmarket fiction examples. In those novels, theme with a heart (the 4th pillar) may be a requirement, but for many of the commercial fiction novelists, theme is more of a "nice to have". Your cozy mystery sleuth or fast-paced thriller hero don't need to have a growth arc. The sleuth needs to solve the mystery and the thriller hero needs to save the victims and defeat the villain. If there's a message about humanity in those actions, that's a bonus.
I think the 8 secondary pillars will be most helpful to upmarket and literary fiction authors.
The first of the secondary pillars is about scenes and scene construction. I agree with the author that this is a major problem in novels by new authors. I found her advice about how to construct scenes a bit nebulous. I imagine her method would appeal to authors who want a system that gives you a lot of freedom and not many rules. Plot-driven authors tend to need more specific guidelines about what's expected in their genre.
I was a bit surprised by how little plot was discussed in the 8 secondary pillars. But again, I think this is because Lakin is targeting literary and upmarket fiction authors, over commercial fiction.
- And I think plot and scenes are under emphasized
June 15, 2017
I’ve long been a follower of C.S. Lakin’s excellent writing blog: livewritethrive.com, which includes tips, ideas and training pertaining to writing and the writing life.
This is where I heard about The 12 Key Pillars of Novel Construction. As a plotter, I love techniques that add framework to my writing process.
12 Key Pillars does just that. It helps the writer pre-think the most important facets/aspects of a novel before launching into the actual writing. The four main pillars—the four corners that hold it up—are as follows:
1. concept with a kicker
2. conflict with high stakes
3. protagonist with a goal
4. theme with a heart
Add to that keys 5 through 12, a downloadable worksheet for each chapter, and some time, and we have an exceptional resource for planning a novel. Lakin offers lots of examples of books and movies that use the concepts she outlines. She also uses analogies: just as we need a solid base on which to construct a house, so a novel requires structure and strength to ensure quality. As a visual learner, I found these word pictures very helpful.
Once we know the basics, have thought them through and dug deep to answer the questions C.S. Lakin sets out, we are free to write the first draft with a lot more purpose and direction than we may have had previous to reading this book.
I have read and studied this book, and filled out the worksheets, and I personally recommend it to anyone who is seeking excellence in novel structure.
This is where I heard about The 12 Key Pillars of Novel Construction. As a plotter, I love techniques that add framework to my writing process.
12 Key Pillars does just that. It helps the writer pre-think the most important facets/aspects of a novel before launching into the actual writing. The four main pillars—the four corners that hold it up—are as follows:
1. concept with a kicker
2. conflict with high stakes
3. protagonist with a goal
4. theme with a heart
Add to that keys 5 through 12, a downloadable worksheet for each chapter, and some time, and we have an exceptional resource for planning a novel. Lakin offers lots of examples of books and movies that use the concepts she outlines. She also uses analogies: just as we need a solid base on which to construct a house, so a novel requires structure and strength to ensure quality. As a visual learner, I found these word pictures very helpful.
Once we know the basics, have thought them through and dug deep to answer the questions C.S. Lakin sets out, we are free to write the first draft with a lot more purpose and direction than we may have had previous to reading this book.
I have read and studied this book, and filled out the worksheets, and I personally recommend it to anyone who is seeking excellence in novel structure.
Read
July 20, 2023Some useful stuff in here. My advice is to read the whole book first before looking at the worksheets, which can be a bit overwhelming with their detailed questions if you're still at the gently-nurturing-your-idea stage.
I think the most valuable tips I took out of this (extremely personal to me and what I already know; other people would get different stuff out of it) could be summarised as:
- Take your initial book idea to a "concept with a kicker" by adding something specific and intriguing to your one-line high level idea. The difference between "a girl tries to keep her family safe in a dystopian world" and "a girl in a dystopian world is forced to compete in the children-murdering games to keep her family safe."
- Try giving secondary characters a verbal tic or favourite phrase that they repeat.
- Brainstorm different locales that showcase the different parts of your protagonist's life and consider how moving a scene to a more unusual or interesting setting could increase the tension or stakes.
- Brainstorm scene ideas for your main plot separately from scene ideas for your subplots, but keep your subplots related to the main point of your novel.
I think the most valuable tips I took out of this (extremely personal to me and what I already know; other people would get different stuff out of it) could be summarised as:
- Take your initial book idea to a "concept with a kicker" by adding something specific and intriguing to your one-line high level idea. The difference between "a girl tries to keep her family safe in a dystopian world" and "a girl in a dystopian world is forced to compete in the children-murdering games to keep her family safe."
- Try giving secondary characters a verbal tic or favourite phrase that they repeat.
- Brainstorm different locales that showcase the different parts of your protagonist's life and consider how moving a scene to a more unusual or interesting setting could increase the tension or stakes.
- Brainstorm scene ideas for your main plot separately from scene ideas for your subplots, but keep your subplots related to the main point of your novel.
January 7, 2021
In general I find books on how to write too prescriptive and too biased towards commercial fiction writing. I am in the camp that writing is mostly a creative activity, imagination should not be constrained by writing rules. Having said that I like to read how-to books to learn some of the things that have worked for others (and I agree with) and keep them in the back of my mind when writing. I don't think this book says anything new, but a lot of what has been said is included. As for the content, I find the writer boasts too much about the hundreds of books she has edited. To be honest I feel that if she edits hundreds of books a year, those books can't be too good. Also I found at least ten times in which she says that whatever she is talking about is the most important error writers make. Only one can be the most important. Read it for what is worth a source of some interesting ideas not as a blueprint like that title implies. There shouldn't be any blueprints for writing. At the risk of everybody starting writing the same book.
April 18, 2020
The author proposes that the 12 pillars of novel construction are:
1) Concept with a kicker 2) Protagonist with a goal 3) Conflict with high stakes 4) Theme with a heart 5) Plot and subplots in a string of scenes 6) Secondary characters with their own needs 7) Setting with a purpose 8) Tension ramped to the max 9) Compressed and essential writing and dialogue 10) Voice that is unique for each character 11) Writing style that is concise and specific 12) Motifs for cohesion and depth.
I learned a lot. On a subconscious level I knew all of the concepts listed above, and yet I could not describe in detail what each concept meant until now. I enjoyed the author's in-depth analysis of each concept and I took notes.
1) Concept with a kicker 2) Protagonist with a goal 3) Conflict with high stakes 4) Theme with a heart 5) Plot and subplots in a string of scenes 6) Secondary characters with their own needs 7) Setting with a purpose 8) Tension ramped to the max 9) Compressed and essential writing and dialogue 10) Voice that is unique for each character 11) Writing style that is concise and specific 12) Motifs for cohesion and depth.
I learned a lot. On a subconscious level I knew all of the concepts listed above, and yet I could not describe in detail what each concept meant until now. I enjoyed the author's in-depth analysis of each concept and I took notes.
April 30, 2019
Great Structural Explanations
I’ve read a lot of writing books on how to construct a novel or short story. This book gives the most comprehensive reasons why these 12 pillars should be in every novel. Most, I believe, should be in every short story. If you’re just starting your reading journey to learn how to write a novel effectively, I suggest starting with this one. You may save a lot of time by realizing many of those other books on your “to read” list are no longer necessary.
I’ve read a lot of writing books on how to construct a novel or short story. This book gives the most comprehensive reasons why these 12 pillars should be in every novel. Most, I believe, should be in every short story. If you’re just starting your reading journey to learn how to write a novel effectively, I suggest starting with this one. You may save a lot of time by realizing many of those other books on your “to read” list are no longer necessary.
October 17, 2023
I picked up this book as I'm reading some of her other novels,
have decided to read all of C.S. Lakin's Writer's Toolbox Series.
Invaluable advice--wish I'd read this book and all of them sooner!
I tend to "get on an author" and read everything they've ever written.
Just purchased and read all of Jane Yolen's books (YA/fantasy), and
also David Putnam's un-put-downable Bruno Johnson series of 11 or 12
books--so will continue on with all of CS Lakin's books now.
Really great writer and teacher!
have decided to read all of C.S. Lakin's Writer's Toolbox Series.
Invaluable advice--wish I'd read this book and all of them sooner!
I tend to "get on an author" and read everything they've ever written.
Just purchased and read all of Jane Yolen's books (YA/fantasy), and
also David Putnam's un-put-downable Bruno Johnson series of 11 or 12
books--so will continue on with all of CS Lakin's books now.
Really great writer and teacher!
June 14, 2019
Thorough , helpful
Some reviewers complain there aren't enough details but I humbly disagree. When you are creating, you can't tell somebody 'how to create' you can only give them guidelines or they will feel you're trying to write their book for them ( at least I feel this way ). Readers will see the author's love for the creative process. She has provided detailed guidelines yet without writing your book for you.
Some reviewers complain there aren't enough details but I humbly disagree. When you are creating, you can't tell somebody 'how to create' you can only give them guidelines or they will feel you're trying to write their book for them ( at least I feel this way ). Readers will see the author's love for the creative process. She has provided detailed guidelines yet without writing your book for you.
April 7, 2020
Very helpful, though I’d take some of the advice with a grain of salt. The author repeats herself and gets to the point in a long winded way, although she tells us to be concise! It seems she has a narrow view of the world. Nevertheless, it has helped me improve my novel planning and there is a lot to learn in this book.
December 3, 2020
I wish I had read this book first
I wrote a novel. It had a protagonist with a goal, a central conflict with a twist, strong themes, good characters. But it didn't hang together because the writer, who, notwithstanding reading thousands of novels, had never internalized why they work. This book gives you the answers.
I wrote a novel. It had a protagonist with a goal, a central conflict with a twist, strong themes, good characters. But it didn't hang together because the writer, who, notwithstanding reading thousands of novels, had never internalized why they work. This book gives you the answers.
April 18, 2021
Novel building!
If you build your story, they will it. But it better be the best you can do. This book is here to make sure you don't have an excuse for not having information to create a great novel that is something the reader will thoroughly enjoy. There are tips and lessons so you will be a good writer. All the books in this writer's tool book series are must read, learn, then write, live and thrive.
If you build your story, they will it. But it better be the best you can do. This book is here to make sure you don't have an excuse for not having information to create a great novel that is something the reader will thoroughly enjoy. There are tips and lessons so you will be a good writer. All the books in this writer's tool book series are must read, learn, then write, live and thrive.
June 26, 2017
This is probably more for beginning writers, despite what the author says. I only really learned anything from the first four pillars, and even those sections only gave me a couple new insights. I was looking for something more actionable and this wasn't it.
February 20, 2018
Comprehensive direction for structuring a novel
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Plenty of helpful directives with examples. Using mind mapping to fill out the 12 pillars as the Author describes has given me a satisfying structure for my WIP and helped me fix many holes and trouble areas.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Plenty of helpful directives with examples. Using mind mapping to fill out the 12 pillars as the Author describes has given me a satisfying structure for my WIP and helped me fix many holes and trouble areas.
November 25, 2018
Excellent!
This book on how to construct a novel has clearly shown me what is needed to create a great story that is solid, compelling, and entertaining. Has inspired me alot. Thank you for writing this wonderful book
This book on how to construct a novel has clearly shown me what is needed to create a great story that is solid, compelling, and entertaining. Has inspired me alot. Thank you for writing this wonderful book
April 13, 2020
A solid and informative textbook on how to write a novel. Lakin argues and shows how a novel needs each of 12 pillars. The checklists at the end if each chapter are an excellent review of the chapter and content for future reference.
This has everything a budding novelist needs.
This has everything a budding novelist needs.
February 21, 2018
I've read a lot of books
I've read a lot of books. This one is something I am going to come back to again and again. Now I want the workbook.
I've read a lot of books. This one is something I am going to come back to again and again. Now I want the workbook.
July 10, 2018
As usual, CS Lakin delivers with another how-to book. This one takes some study, but I plan to use it to help me structure my next novel.
January 5, 2019
This was extremely helpful! I was able to take lots of quality notes and the inspection checklists were much appreciated.
August 15, 2019
Useful with lots of content not found on writing blogs. Structuring a novel like this makes a lot of sense.
October 8, 2019
Learned a lot on building my novel an mind-mapping, I never knew about! A great read!
January 19, 2020
Very detailed, tough exercises. I can see this being incredibly useful
Read
April 18, 2020Excellent, useful and also challenging!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews