Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #108176 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-27
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Synopsis
Written in a tone that is personal and non-prescriptive, Writing Fiction encourages new writers to gain confidence with the writing process. Through discussion of key topics of fiction writing, supported by an abundance of examples and exercises, this guide/anthology explores and integrates the elements of fiction while offering practical techniques and concrete examples. This new edition has been expanded to include a greater representation of writers of diverse backgrounds and experiences. It has even more exercises to help writers begin the creative process.

Customer Reviews

A must for serious novelists
Every section teaches a critical skill, each essential for the mastery of novel writing. My copy is thumbworn from constant reference on how to apply specific techniques. If you are a beginning novelist and want to understand how to get started on the right foot, you must read this book.

Best book on the craft of writing ever written!
I teach writing in the UCLA Writer's Program (online) and always recommend this and "What If" by Ann Bernays and Pam Painter. Burroway's book is absolutely the best book on the craft of writing I've ever found. Anybody who aims to write well would do him- or herself a huge favor by buying this book. I've been drawn to it over and over when writing my own books, "The Death of Tarpons" (novel), "Monday's Meal" (Collection of short stories; and my forthcoming "Over Easy" from Random House and Ballantine Books (1999). I'm now involved in writing screenplays and the techniques Ms. Burroway covers in her book cover that form as well. I think giving it 5 stars is not enough and if it were possible to award ten stars, I would, enthusiastically. If you only buy one book on writing in your lifetime, make it this one!

Best nuts-and-bolts book on creative writing
For my money, this is the best book available about creative narrative writing. Burroway's book is used as a text for short story and novel writing. The chapter "Showing and Telling" alone is worth the price of the book.

Other areas covered by chapters in the book are as follows:

Story form and structure

Characterization: Two chapters that cover every thing from dialogue to detailing the five ways to develop a character: authorial interpretation, appearance, action, speech, and thought

Setting and atmosphere

Point of View

Literary devices such as symbol, metaphor, etc.

Theme

Revision: This chapter is the weakest because it discusses revision in general, not giving specific problems that plague manuscripts. The most prevalent flaws are discussed in the book, but I think it would be helpful to list them in this chapter and give page numbers where the technique is discussed.

I have read over twenty books pertaining to creative writing, but this one is better than all the rest. What I like best are the numerous stories that are at the end of each chapter illustrating the points discussed in that section. Each chapter concludes with questions to guide one's study.

In my reading of books about fiction writing, I have found numerous references to this book which indicates to me the quality of this book to other writers.

If you can only afford one book, get this one. I don't think you will be disappointed if you are serious about your fiction.