Donald Maass's advices are rich and inspiring. He digs examples through a wide variety of genres which allows the reader to grab the idea that at first may sound like a discussion between literary intellectuals. For someone thinking about a new novel, it helps the focus on the outline. For someone in the writing, it may help to unblock the block. And while editing, editing, editing, it guarantees to raise your draft to a higher level. This book is not going on my bookshelf. It stays on my desk.