Write Masterful Fiction


Book Description

The Fiction Writer's All-in-One Essentials Course Learn creative writing as you build a story step by step It's one thing to churn out 80 thousand words and call it a novel or collection of stories - it's quite another to get that work accepted and loved by publishers and readers. The vast majority of novice authors never make it past the scrutiny of publishers or sell enough copies through self-publishing to make a decent income. They are all let down by one thing - a simple lack of knowledge of the core skills needed to write publishable and profitable fiction. Author and book editor Russel Brownlee has identified just 10 fundamental skills and understandings that can utterly transform your writing and make your dream of authorship possible. Write Masterful Fiction covers these skills as well as the fatal errors that can cause agents and publishers to reject your work. Topics include: Story idea and premise. Dynamic characters. Tense and point of view Dialogue. Showing vs telling Description Scene and plot structure. Opening lines Next steps: editing, publishing and staying on course Plus, a whole chapter on breaking through writers block by writing into the unknown and accessing the field of deep inspiration. No more sitting at the blank page wondering what to write next. It doesn't have to take you months to learn the essential techniques of publishable fiction - everything you need to know is clearly explained in this book, together with examples and practical exercises. Once you've got these down - you're in the game! A complete writing workshop Write Masterful Fiction is both a how-to book and a writing course. You can read the chapters separately to get specific information or take them consecutively and be guided through a process of planning and writing a story. By the end of the course you'll have a complete short story or a collection of scenes for a longer work like a novel, memoir or screenplay. Plus, you'll have the confidence of knowing that you have begun to master the key skills of writing fiction that both publishers and readers love. Russel Brownlee is a book editor, writer coach and award-winning author. His novel Garden of the Plagues won the Olive Schreiner Award for debut fiction in South Africa (2006) and was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Literary Awards.




Fiction Writing Demystified


Book Description

A guide to the techniques of fiction writing provides advice on story construction, character development, and dialogue.




The Art of Fiction


Book Description

This classic guide, from the renowned novelist and professor, has helped transform generations of aspiring writers into masterful writers—and will continue to do so for many years to come. John Gardner was almost as famous as a teacher of creative writing as he was for his own works. In this practical, instructive handbook, based on the courses and seminars that he gave, he explains, simply and cogently, the principles and techniques of good writing. Gardner’s lessons, exemplified with detailed excerpts from classic works of literature, sweep across a complete range of topics—from the nature of aesthetics to the shape of a refined sentence. Written with passion, precision, and a deep respect for the art of writing, Gardner’s book serves by turns as a critic, mentor, and friend. Anyone who has ever thought of taking the step from reader to writer should begin here.




Writing Genre Fiction


Book Description

Several years ago, after many years of writing nonfiction, I decided to write a novel-a medical thriller in the mold of Robin Cook, Michael Crichton, and Michael Palmer. The problem was that, although I knew how to write and had received a number of awards for nonfiction works, I didn't know the how to write fiction. So, before putting fingers to keyboard I did a thorough search of the literature, which included reading numerous books and hundreds of website articles. What I discovered was that there simply wasn't one good source from which to learn the craft of writing genre fiction. "Writing Genre Fiction: A Guide to the Craft" is the book I was looking for when I set out on my quest to learn how to write fiction. It is an attempt to share what I learned from my research. It covers the six key elements of genre fiction; the various genres and subgenres; a large number of genre-fiction writing techniques; plot, subplots, and parallel plots; structure; scene and sequel; characterization; dialogue; emotions; and body language. It also covers additional information about copyrighting and plagiarism, where to get ideas, manuscript formatting and revision, and query letters and synopses. In addition, an appendix covers a large number of grammar tips.




Writing with the Master


Book Description

With seven unpublished novels wasting away on his hard drive, Tony Vanderwarker is astonished when John Grisham offers to take him under his wing and teach him the secrets of thriller writing. “The beginning and the end are easy,” Grisham tells him. “It’s the three hundred pages in the middle that’s the hard part.” To ensure his plot doesn’t run out of gas, Grisham puts Tony though his outline process. Tony does one, and then Grisham asks for another … and another … and another. As they work together, Grisham reveals the techniques that have helped him create compelling bestsellers for more than two decades—for instance, “You’ve got to hook your reader in the first forty pages or you’ll lose them.” After a year of constructing outlines, Grisham finally gives Tony the go-ahead to start writing. Writing with the Master immerses the reader in the creative process as Tony struggles to produce a successful thriller. It’s a roller coaster ride, sometimes hilarious, and often full of ups and downs. Grisham’s critiques and margin notes to Tony reveal his nimble imagination and plot development genius. For Grisham fans, Vanderwarker’s memoir pulls back the curtain on his writing secrets, and for aspiring writers, it’s a master class in thriller writing. In the end, Tony resolves to take Grisham’s teachings to heart and eventually decides to write what he thinks he was meant to: a book about the creative process and his incredible two years working with John Grisham.




Elements of Fiction


Book Description

The renowned novelist and author of This Year You Write a Novel shares a “compact but insight-rich” guide to fiction writing (Publishers Weekly). In his essential writing guide, This Year You Write Your Novel, Walter Mosley supplied aspiring writers with the basic tools to write a novel in one year. In this complementary follow up, Mosley guides the writer through the elements of not just any fiction writing, but the kind of writing that transcends convention and truly stands out. For writers who want to approach the genius of Melville, Dickens, or Twain, The Elements of Fiction is a must-read. Mosley demonstrates how to master fiction’s most essential elements: character and char-acter development, plot and story, voice and narrative, context and description, and more. The result is a vivid depiction of the writing process, from the blank page to the first draft to rewriting, and rewriting again. Throughout, The Elements of Fiction is enriched by brilliant demonstrative examples that Mosley himself has written here for the first time.




Master Class in Fiction Writing: Techniques from Austen, Hemingway, and Other Greats


Book Description

Do you want to take your fiction writing to the next level? LEARN FROM THE MASTERS "Adam Sexton taught me how to read like a writer--and, in a way, how to write like a reader. For without first considering the experience of reading stories--seriously, thoroughly, the way Sexton does--you can't possibly write one worth reading." --Tara McCarthy, author of Love Will Tear Us Apart Many writers believe that if they just find the right teacher or workshop, their writing will reach new heights of skill. But why not learn from the best? In his popular workshops in New York City, creative writing instructor Adam Sexton has found that the most effective way for any writer to grasp on the elements of fiction is to study the great masters. Master Class in Fiction Writing is your personal crash course in creative writing, with the world's most accomplished fiction writers as your guides. You will learn: The art of characterization from Jane Austen Style and voice from Ernest Hemingway Dialogue from Iris Murdoch Description from Vladimir Nabokov The timeless techniques of plotting in the work of Joseph Conrad The ingenious structure of James Joyce Point of view from Toni Morrison Over the course of just ten chapters you can master all the components of great short story and novel writing. These are the most important lessons any writer can learn--a truly "novel" approach to writing that will enrich, inform, and inspire.




Solutions for Writers


Book Description

Whether you are a beginner or an accomplished professional, whether your field is fiction, nonfiction or journalism, Sol Stein's Solutions for Writers is an indispensable guide to enhancing your work. In Stein's own words, 'This is not a book of theory': just practical, immediately useful solutions to help with every type of writing problem. From shaping an opening sentence that hooks the reader to the secret of successful revision, deft character development to pumping up pacing, Solutions for Writers contains a wealth of wisdom from one of publishing's most storied editors. Packed with ideas, examples of techniques in practice, and advice that shines a new light on craft, Sol Stein's writing guide is a timeless classic - a book for writers to mark up, dog-ear, and cherish.




Garden of the Plagues


Book Description

Adam Wijk is a rather reclusive gardener, who was forced into exile in South Africa after his medical license was revoked. One day, a stranger walks into his life, and this mute woman from a seemingly plague-ridden Dutch ship reawakens in Adam feelings which he had thought were long gone.




Shoot Your Novel


Book Description

Want to write a visually powerful novel? Shoot Your Novel takes an in-depth look at cinematic technique for fiction writers. No other writing craft book teaches you the secret of how to "show, don't tell." Best-selling authors of every genre know the secret to hooking readers--by showing, not telling, their story. But writers are not taught how to "show" scenes in a cinematic way. Without a clear, concise, and precise method for constructing dynamic scenes, a writer will likely end up with a flat, lifeless novel.Filmmakers, screenwriters, and movie directors utilize cinematic technique to create visual masterpieces, and novelists can too--by adapting their methods in their fiction writing. By "shooting" your novel, you can supercharge your story!Inside, you'll learn: * The real secret to "show, don't tell" and how it's all about "the moment" * More than a dozen "camera shots" novelists can borrow from screenwriters and directors to create powerful, active scenes * Instruction on how to piece camera shots together to create cinematic scene segments * Examples from novels and screenplays showcasing each facet of cinematic technique * How to devise a thematic image system of key shots, motifs, and images * Ways to use colors, shapes, sounds, and angles for purposeful subliminal effect Shooting your novel with a filmmaker's eye will transform your good novel into a great one and will change forever the way you approach constructing your scenes. No other book gives you such deep, thorough instruction in cinematic technique for fiction writing. Here's what some best writing instructors and best-selling authors have to say about this essential writing craft book: "With such an extensive amount of experience in the screenwriting and filmmaking process, it comes as no surprise that C. S .Lakin writes with a trustworthy authority and wealth of insight when it comes to the craft of building dynamic scenes within novels.