How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author

By Janet Evanovich and Ina Yalof

How many people would kill to be a bestselling novelist? Especially one like Janet Evanovich.Writers want to know how a bestselling author thinks, writes, plans, and dreams her books. And they are primed for a book from Janet Evanovich that tells, in a witty Q&A format:
- How she comes up with such remarkable characters
- How she nails the perfect name every time
- How she finds out insider details
- Just how she sets up those masterful plots
- What the life of a full-time writer is really like
- What she'd tell an aspiring author about the publishing industry
- And much, much more!

This book details the elements of writing and publishing a novel, and addresses all categories of fiction-from mystery/thriller/action titles to romance; from stand-alone narratives to series. It offers practical and inspiring advice on such subjects as structuring a plot and handling rejection. And it combines one of today's most successful fiction writers with Ina Yalof, a published non-fiction writer who teaches creative fiction. HOW I WRITE is the perfect reference for anyone looking to improve their writing, and for those fans who are hungry to find out more about just how Janet Evanovich ticks.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Sep 19, 2006
• ISBN: 9781429916011

Janet Evanovich

Bestselling author Janet Evanovich is the winner of the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Award and multiple Romantic Times awards, including Lifetime Achievement. She is also a long-standing member of RWA.

Book preview

Reviews for How I Write

[tromboneal-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a fun, quick read, and presents very basic advice on writing. Note that about half the book concerns traditional publishing tips, and isn't relevant to self-publishers. She's not a fan of self-publishing, but this was written in 2006, and she doesn't even mention ebooks.

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love her Stephanie Plum series, so I wanted to see what Janet Evanovich had to say about the process of writing. I was not disappointed.

[jewel.barnett · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoy Janet Evanovich's writing. This book left much to be desired. I would have appreciated it more with her actual thoughts rather than a q and a style.

[amelia_smith-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book, especially the parts about how Janet's career got started (not early, not quickly, and not easily). She persevered and experimented until she found her niche. Her family sounds incredibly supportive and helpful.

The writing tips were all sound and to the point, but this is not a manual. It is, however, a good supplement to more technical how-to-write books, and a good guide for genre fiction writers.

This book was published a decade ago, and at the time the author was not a fan of self-publishing. I would love to hear her views on how the market has changed in the time since she wrote that, and whether she would advise beginning authors differently now.

[saschad-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Janet Evanovich takes her wit to the non-fiction genre in this how-to-write book. While many of the details are particular to romance and/or mystery/adventure writing, a great deal of the information encompasses other genres as well.

The information is very hands on, including plotting and characterization, and covers information specific to someone wanting to write and have their novel published (agents, publishers). There is a section of useful organizations and links as well.

I listened to the audiobook version and found it entertaining as well as informative.

[soulflower1981 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When I read "One for the Money" by Evanovich I have to be honest I was not a huge fan. I could not get behind the story at all, but I decided to give her book on writing a shot cause well she is successful for some reason after all.


She has written numerous novels at this point not only in her successful Stephanie Plum series, but also in the newer side series and also several books in the Metro series. This collection of work made me believe she would have much to say on the process of writing. I was right and she does it well. In this collection of answers from her official website she clearly showcases her process and how it can work for others coming into the field.

The best thing about this particular book is its simplistic nature. I was able to read the entire book in the matter of a couple of hours because she uses an easy-to-read q&a style. This choice makes it more accessible than other more in-depth writing books. It is one I would suggest for a beginner, like myself, that wishes to write. It will help you gain some confidence in yourself and understand that your first step in this process is to start writing!

Evanovich also recommends that you learn the basics of grammar before trying your hand at writing. She, however, clearly feels this can be done from research in books like "The Elements of Style." She speaks on this in her own journey of becoming a writer. She had to do the leg work required to become an author but it obviously is paying off nicely for her. This gem of a book showcases that you can do the same with putting in the energy she has and that nothing comes over night (she had to wait ten years)

[y2ash · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really like this book. It was very informative and insightful. Although, I feel that it really didn't make me a better writer because Evanovich told me things that I already know about writing but Ina Yanof was incredibly informative with her non fiction side of the writing equation.

However, Evanovich was very informative on the publishing process on the whole. There were many things I did not know including query letters and self addressed postcards, oh my!

[aharey · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is an interesting take from a bestselling author. She really knows how it's down and gives thoughtful answers. I especially liked the chapter on how to find agents, write query letters, and format a manuscript.

[authorjanebnight · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

What I liked- Being a writer can be tough. It can be lonely. And, because we don’t come to an office everyday to chat with others in our profession it can be easy to wonder if you are normal. Some of Evanovich’s answers were very uplifting. I loved her confession that she always wonders if her last book was the last good book she was ever going to write. I also love that she doesn’t love her rough drafts. I always worry that my book is going to be crap and I hate my rough drafts.I loved how she quoted from the Stephanie Plum series to give examples of how she uses setting, characterization, and plot. I am currently reading the series and so I could really see her examples in action. How I Write has quotes through book 12. I just finished reading 6. I know that the quotes from books I had already read made the lessons she was trying to teach more real to me.What I didn’t like- i wasn’t thrilled about some of the questions asked. Quite a few times it seemed like she was being asked the same thing and answering the same way. I also would have liked to learn more about her early career. She was a stay at home mommy who decided to write. But, I would have liked to hear more about her early struggles and self doubts. Also, more in depth information on her writing techniques would have been nice. I felt like she only skimmed the surface.

[livelylady · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed her humor coming through with this Q&A "how-to" guidebook on writing your own book. I felt comforted by the fact that it is not easy and she said so!

[metzart · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have not read any of Janet Evanovich's fiction, but this nonfiction description of Evanovich's writing process was very informative. It seemed to me to be the writer's version of Twyla Tharp's The Creative Habit (except for adding lots of humor). But her overall message to new or lesser known writers was to just keep at. Do the hard work. She unabashedly describes the formula that her work follows, and she remains down to earth throughout the work. I found her description of the publishing world and literary agents to be most informative.

[melydia_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am not very familiar with Evanovich's work. I read One for the Money and thought it was cute but felt no special desire to read anything else by her. However, I am always curious to hear what bestselling authors have to say about writing since obviously something they are doing is working. I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Evanovich takes us from character development all the way through book tours in a light, funny question-and-answer format. She is realistic about the publication process (she collected rejection slips for ten years before publishing her first book) while remaining optimistic and upbeat about the entire journey. It's also quite thorough: since the questions come from ten years of reader emails, even minutia like webpage design, paper quality for manuscripts, and transitions are covered, and in the back there is a list of references. This is one of the few books I would recommend all aspiring authors to keep on hand. I borrowed it from the library but I plan on getting my own copy soon. That's high praise from someone who almost never rereads books.

[krissa_6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting. Evanoviches personality really comes through. I love the Stephanie Excerpts. I am a HUGE fan of her Stephanie Plum, and her NASCAR series, so it was fun to see the process. Are all the steps applicable to Canada? Who knows? And am I ever going to write a novel, and need to know all this? Once again, who knows? It was an entertaining read, none the less. =D

[lg4154 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

great book, a must have for Janet fans!

[kikilon_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was hoping this book would be a funner, snarkier version of Stephen King's book, but alas, it was not to be. This is a great book for novice writers. Its Q&A format is easy to read and good as a general reference, but I found that I didn't get much out of it. At least it didn't take long to finish.

[mccin68 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

janet talks about her development as a writer as well as tips about navigating the business. engaging and hopeful to would-be writers.

[kikianika · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was hoping this book would be a funner, snarkier version of Stephen King's book, but alas, it was not to be. This is a great book for novice writers. Its Q&A format is easy to read and good as a general reference, but I found that I didn't get much out of it. At least it didn't take long to finish.

[lynnm_71 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting to see how Evanovich goes about her craft, but nothing in this book offers new information for writers, per se. Reading this did inspire me to pick up the first Stephanie Plum book, which I am enjoying.