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The complete handbook of novel writing : everything you need to know about creating & selling your work
by Meg Leder
A compendium of articles, essays, and interviews explore the craft, art, and process of fiction writing, along with practical advice and creative tips from Sue Grafton, Richard Russo, Janet Fitch, Octavia Butler, Terry Butler, Joyce Carol Oates, Margaret Atwood, Kurt Vonnegut, John Updike, Tom Clancy, and other notable novelists.
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Writing fantasy & science fiction : how to create out-of-this-world novels and short stories
by Orson Scott Card
Do you envision celestial cities in distant, fantastic worlds? Do you dream of mythical beasts and gallant quests in exotic kingdoms? If you have ever wanted to write the next great fantasy or science fiction story, this all-in-one comprehensive book will show you how. Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction is full of advice from master authors offering definitive instructions on world building, character creation, and storytelling in the many styles and possibilities available to writers of speculative fiction.
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Creating Characters : How to Build Story People
by Dwight V. Swain
Vibrant, believable characters help drive a fictional story. Along with a clever plot, well-drawn characters make us want to continue reading a novel or finish watching a movie. In Creating Characters, Dwight V. Swain shows how writers can invent interesting characters and improve them so that they move a story along. “The core of character,” he says in chapter 1, “lies in each individual story person’s ability to care about something; to feel implicitly or explicitly, that something is important.” Building on that foundation—the capacity to care—Swain takes the would-be writer step-by-step through the fundamentals of finding and developing “characters who turn you on.” This basic but thought-provoking how-to is a valuable tool for both the novice and the seasoned writer.
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Outlining Your Novel : Map Your Way to Success by K. M. WeilandWriters often look upon outlines with fear and trembling. But when properly understood and correctly wielded, the outline is one of the most powerful weapons in a writer’s arsenal. Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success will: - Help you choose the right type of outline for you
- Guide you in brainstorming plot ideas
- Aid you in discovering your characters
- Show you how to structure your scenes
- Explain how to format your finished outline
- Instruct you in how to use your outline
- Reveal the benefits
- Dispel misconceptions
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Beyond the first draft : the art of fiction
by John Casey
"For students and writers alike, a brilliant guide to the craft of writing by the National Book Award-winning author of Spartina. National Book Award winner John Casey is a masterful novelist who is also an inspiring and beloved teacher. In Beyond the First Draft he offers essential and original insights into the art of writing-and rewriting-fiction. Through anecdotes about other writers' methods and habits (as well as his own) and close readings of literature from Aristotle to Zola, the essays in this collection offer "suggestions about things to do, things to think about when your writing has got you lost in the woods." In "Dogma and Anti-dogma" Casey sets out the tried-and-true advice and then comments on when to apply it and when to ignore it. In "What's Funny" he considers the range of comedy from pratfalls to elegant wit. In "In Other Words" he discusses translations and the surprising effects that translating can have on one's native language. In "Mentors" he pays tribute to those who have guided him and other writers. Throughout the fourteen essays there are notes on voice, point of view, structure, and other crucial elements. This book is an invaluable resource for aspiring writers and a revitalizing companion for seasoned ones"
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Story trumps structure : how to write unforgettable fiction by breaking the rules by Steven JamesAll too often, following the "rules" of writing can constrict rather than inspire you. With Story Trumps Structure, you can shed those rules - about three-act structure, rising action, outlining, and more - to craft your most powerful, emotional, and gripping stories. Award-winning novelist Steven James explains how to trust the narrative process to make your story believable, compelling, and engaging, and debunks the common myths that hold writers back from creating their best work. - Ditch your outline and learn to write organically.
- Set up promises for readers - and deliver on them.
- Discover how to craft a satisfying climax.
- Master the subtleties of characterization.
- Add mind-blowing twists to your fiction.
When you focus on what lies at the heart of story - tension, desire, crisis, escalation, struggle, discovery - rather than plot templates and formulas, you'll begin to break out of the box and write fiction that resonates with your readers. Story Trumps Structure will transform the way you think about stories and the way you write them, forever.
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Hooked : write fiction that grabs readers at page one and never lets them go by Leslie EdgertonThe road to rejection is paved with bad beginnings. Agents and editors agree: Improper story beginnings are the single biggest barrier to publication. Why? If a novel or short story has a bad beginning, then no one will keep reading. It's just that simple. In Hooked, author Les Edgerton draws on his experience as a successful fiction writer and teacher to help you overcome the weak openings that lead to instant rejection by showing you how to successfully use the ten core components inherent to any great beginning. You'll find: - Detailed instruction on how to develop your inciting incident
- Keys for creating a cohesive story-worthy problem
- Tips on how to avoid common opening gaffes like overusing backstory
- A rundown on basics such as opening scene length and transitions
- A comprehensive analysis of more than twenty great opening lines from novels and short stories
Plus, you'll discover exclusive insider advice from agents and acquiring editors on what they look for in a strong opening. With Hooked, you'll have all the information you need to craft a compelling beginning that lays the foundation for an irresistible story!
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Now write! Science fiction, fantasy, and horror [electronic resource] : speculative genre exercises from today's best writers and teachers
by Laurie Lamson
"Featuring speculative fiction-writing exercises from Harlan Ellison (R), Piers Anthony, Ramsey Campbell, Jack Ketchum, screenwriters of The Twilight Zone and Star Trek: The Next Generation, and many more. The fifth volume in the acclaimed Now Write! writing-guide series offers a full toolbox of advice and exercises for speculative fiction writers hoping to craft an engaging alternate reality, flesh out an enthralling fantasy quest, or dream up a bloodcurdling plot twist, including: -Harlan Ellison (R), on crafting the perfect story title -Jack Ketchum, on how economy of language helps create a truly frightening tale -Piers Antony, on making fantastical characters feel genuine and relatable This collection of storytelling secrets from top genre writers-including winners of Nebula, Hugo, Edgar, and Bram Stoker awards-is essential for any writer looking to take a leap beyond the ordinary."
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The Fantasy Fiction Formula
by Deborah Chester
A guide to the nuts and bolts of fantasy writing that illustrates techniques with examples drawn from published fantasy fiction and offers plentiful drills and exercises to help students hone their writing skills.
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Wonderbook : an illustrated guide to creating imaginative fiction
by Jeff VanderMeer
This visual guide to writing creative and compelling fiction includes interesting and inspiring artwork as well as motivational tools and essays from today's top fantasy writers, including George R. R. Martin and Neil Gaiman, to help all aspiring authors.
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The nighttime novelist : finish your novel in your spare time by Joseph BatesFranz Kafka was an insurance agent. William Faulkner was a postmaster. Stephen King taught high school English, John Grisham was an attorney, and Toni Morrison worked in publishing. Though romantic fantasies of the writing life don't often include a day job, the fact is that most writers have one. If you find yourself among them, stealing moments late at night, early in the morning, or on your lunch break to write, The Nighttime Novelist is your guide—on call any hour to help. Divided into quick mini lessons to make the most of your precious writing time, this book offers: - Technique instruction that breaks down the elements of the novel—from crafting your protagonist to successful plotting and pacing
- Hurdle lessons that help you anticipate and overcome roadblocks, so you can keep your productivity and your story on track
- Going Deeper explorations that provide guidance on the more nuanced aspects of storytelling, so you can take your work to the next level
- Try It Out assignments and more than 25 interactive worksheets that help you apply the lessons to your own project
Whether you're just beginning your novel, wondering how to navigate its middle, or bringing it to a close, you'll find the instruction, exercises, and support you need to keep your story moving forward every time you sit down to write.
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