Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints (Write Great Fiction)

By Mel Helitzer With Mark Shatz

This book is extremely informative as well as entertaining.As someone doing a fair share of writing, and appreciating the use of humor in writing, I have found great value within these pages. I recommend it highly.It convinces you that trying to inject humor into your writing, without studying some of the actual structure and types of humor, puts you at a disadvantage. For anyone interested in adding some humor to increase the impact and lessen the boredom in their written work, this book is a must-have for your personal library. Lire plus…

Margaret Geraghty

This book will inspire you to write, even if you have only a few minutes to spare. It may also change the way you think about writing. Drawing on a mix of disciplines, including psychology, art, linguistics, and advertising, each chapter offers you a writing-related discussion, followed by a five-minute exercise. Whether you are a beginner writer, an experienced writer looking for new ideas, or you simply want to use writing to gain self-awareness, the book will help you to: \* Access your inner self, the personal memories that reflect universal patterns of the total human narrative. \* Gain fresh insight into the nature of stories and storytelling. \* Recognise your own life as an inexhaustible source of story ideas. \* Stimulate creative thought, including right-brain techniques for 'stepping outside the box'. \* Escape writing blocks. \* Establish an enjoyable writing routine. Just pick a page and begin your writer's journey. Lire plus…

Sophie King

Writing short stories is both a science and an art. You need a certain amount of skill but you will increase your chances by studying your market and learning what magazine editors are looking for. It is not always obvious. "How to Write Short Stories" will take you as a would-be writer through the tricks of the trade by: helping you discover what the different magazines are looking for and how to think up ideas to suit; demonstrating how you can write different slants, such as twist in the tales and feel-good stories; and, advising on how you can win fiction competitions. "How To Write Short Stories" is packed with tips, quotes and inside angles from magazine editors and relevant experts. AUTHOR BIOG: Sophie King is the pseudonym for journalist Jane Bidder. As well as writing novels - The School Run; Mums@Home, Second Time Lucky and her latest novel The Supper Club*), she has had literally hundreds of short stories published in women's magazines such as Woman's Weekly; Take a Break; My Weekly; and Best. Sophie lectures in creative writing for Oxford University and West Herts College. She is also the writer in residence for Grendon Underwood Prison. CONTENTS: 1. Identifying Your Market 2. Good Idea 3. Nice to Meet You! 4. Plotting your Short Story 5. Viewpoint. Whose Shoes are you Standing In? 6. Who's Speaking Please? 7. First Person or Third? 8. Beginnings and Endings 9. Twist in the Tale Short Story 10. How to Write Feel-good Stories or Tug-at-the Heart Tales 11. How... Lire plus…

Orson Scott Card

This book made me stop writing for a couple of days because I couldn't put it down. Not only is it very informative, it's entertaining too and presents the information in very lucid way. I've yet to read Card's fiction, but even the examples he provides in this book are intriguing enough to make me wish the story went on from there! He definitely knows what he's talking about. I felt like after reading the book I had a much clearer understanding about what I was doing in my own characterization. Just being aware of things like the difference between presentational and representational stories, levels of narrative penetration and so forth really help demystify the writing process. I've read a fair number of writing reference books and was pleasantly surprised to find that even in the most basic chapters, like the point of view sections, there was new information for me or information that was presented in a different light. I think this book could be helpful to writers of all skill levels. If you're a novice, the amount of information and number of choices he presents might at first seem intimidating, but even if only a tenth of the book sinks in the first time you read it, you will be a better writer for it. And if you're already pretty comfortable with your level of expertise, I think you'll find the breakdown helps you become more consciously aware of what you're doing. Another thing I liked about it was that it provides examples of bad characterization. ... Lire plus…

[By Ronald B. Tobias]

Successful, best-selling fiction has one thing in common: plot structures that are both universal and timeless. Good plotting is essential to believable, readable fiction. Twenty plots recur through all fiction and this book shows writers how to adapt them and elaborate upon them to create their own unique novel.Identifies and analyzes twenty common plots, including revenge, rivalry, adventure, maturation, and love, discusses physical and character plots, and offers advice for developing a story Lire plus…

By Ron Rozelle

Build a Believable World How essential is setting to a story? How much description is too much? In what ways do details and setting tie into plot and character development? How can you use setting and description to add depth to your story? You can find all the answers you need in Write Great Fiction: Description & Setting by author and instructor Ron Rozelle. This nuts-and-bolts guide - complete with practical exercises at the end of each chapter - gives you all the tips and techniques you need to: • Establish a realistic sense of time and place • Use description and setting to drive your story • Craft effective description and setting for different genres • Skillfully master showing vs. telling With dozens of excerpts from some of today's most popular writers, Write Great Fiction: Description & Setting gives you all the information you need to create a sharp and believable world of people, places, events, and actions. Lire plus…

Ron Rozelle

Build a Believable World How essential is setting to a story? How much description is too much? In what ways do details and setting tie into plot and character development? How can you use setting and description to add depth to your story? You can find all the answers you need in Write Great Fiction: Description & Setting by author and instructor Ron Rozelle. This nuts-and-bolts guide - complete with practical exercises at the end of each chapter - gives you all the tips and techniques you need to:    • Establish a realistic sense of time and place    • Use description and setting to drive your story    • Craft effective description and setting for different genres    • Skillfully master showing vs. telling With dozens of excerpts from some of today's most popular writers, Write Great Fiction: Description & Setting gives you all the information you need to create a sharp and believable world of people, places, events, and actions. Lire plus…

James Scott Bell

Spot and Fix Manuscript Missteps Don't let the revision process intimidate you any longer. Discover how to successfully transform your first draft into a polished final draft readers won't be able to forget. In Write Great Fiction: Revision & Self-Editing , James Scott Bell draws on his experience as a novelist and instructor to provide specific revision tips geared toward the first read-through, as well as targeted self-editing instruction focusing on the individual elements of a novel like plot, structure, characters, theme, voice, style, setting, and endings. You'll learn how to: Write a cleaner first draft right out of the gate using Bell's plotting principles Get the most out of revision and self-editing techniques by honing your skills with detailed exercises Systematically revise a completed draft using the ultimate revision checklist that talks you through the core story elements Whether you're in the process of writing a novel, have a finished draft you don't know what to do with, or have a rejected manuscript you don't know how to fix, Revision & Self-Editing gives you the guidance you need to write and revise like a pro. Lire plus…

Monica Wood

Description is most powerful when it's visible, aural, tactile. Make your descriptions fresh and they'll move your story forward, imbue your work with atmosphere, create that tang of feeling that editors cry for and readers crave. Monica Wood helps you squeeze the greatest flavor from the language. She segments description like an orange, separating its slices to let you sample each one. You'll learn about: Detail, and how you can use description to awaken the reader's senses of touch, taste, hearing, smell and sight Plot, from advancing story using only relevant description—and how to edit out sluggish, reader-stopping writing Style, and the use of description to create a mood that matches your story's content Point of view, how selecting omniscient, first person or third person limited narrative influences the descriptive freedom you have Creating original word depictions of people, animals, places, weather and movement Wood teaches by example, developing stories with characters in various situations, to show you how you can apply description techniques. You'll also see samples of work by such noted writers as Mark Helprin, Anne Tyler and Raymond Carver. And you'll find the dos and don'ts, lists and descriptive alternatives to common verbs and nouns, and t. Lire plus…

James Scott Bell

Ramp up the tension and keep your readers hooked! Inside you'll find everything you need to know to spice up your story, move your plot forward, and keep your readers turning pages. Expert thriller author and writing instructor James Scott Bell shows you how to craft scenes, create characters, and develop storylines that harness conflict and suspense to carry your story from the first word to the last. Learn from examples of successful novels and movies as you transform your work from ho-hum to high-tension. * Pack the beginning, middle, and end of your book with the right amount of conflict. * Tap into the suspenseful power of each character's inner conflict. * Build conflict into your story's point of view. * Balance subplots, flashbacks, and backstory to keep your story moving forward. * Maximize the tension in your characters' dialogue. * Amp up the suspense when you revise. __Conflict & Suspense__ offers proven techniques that help you craft fiction your readers won't be able to put down. Lire plus…

Angela Ackerman; Becca Puglisi; Sharon Knauer

One of the biggest problem areas for writers is conveying a character's emotions to the reader in a unique, compelling way. This book comes to the rescue by highlighting 75 emotions and listing the possible body language cues, thoughts, and visceral responses for each. Written in an easy-to-navigate list format, readers can draw inspiration from character cues that range in intensity to match any emotional moment. The Emotion Thesaurus also tackles common emotion-related writing problems and provides methods to overcome them. This writing tool encourages writers to show, not tell emotion and is a creative brainstorming resource for any fiction project Lire plus…

David Olsen, Michelle Bevilacqua, Justin Cord Hayes, Robert W Bly

The ultimate tool for writers!Whether you're crafting the next great American novel or pounding away at a last-minute blog entry, there will come a time in the process when you struggle to find just the perfect word or phrase. Under the time-tested banner of Roget's Thesaurus, this collection will quickly become the most essential tool on your desk when you're working on your next piece. Far from an ordinary word list, each entry in this book is organized by meaning and offers a list of compelling word choices that relate to the ideas you'd like to use. It also provides a pronunciation guide, definition, antonyms, synonyms, and a sample sentence for each listing. Filled with thousands of unique and compelling words, this book will help you find inspiration, expand your vocabulary, and create one-of-a-kind sentences for any writing assignment. With __Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Writers__, you'll set your projects in the right direction and engage your audience--one word at a time. Lire plus…

James Scott Bell

**A powerful secret and a fresh approach to writing bestselling fiction!** What's the best way to write a "next level" novel? Some writers start at the beginning and let the story unfold without a plan. They are called "pantsers," because they write by the "seat of the pants." Other writers plan and outline and know the ending before they start. These are the "plotters." The two sides never seem to agree with each other on the best approach. But what if it's not the beginning or the end that is the key to a successful book? What if, amazing as it may seem, the place to begin writing your novel is in the very middle of the story? According to #1 bestselling writing teacher James Scott Bell, that's exactly where you'll find your story's heart and heat. Bell's "Mirror Moment" is the secret, and its power is available to any writer, at any stage of the writing process. Bringing together years of craft study and personal discovery, Bell presents a truly unique approach to writing a novel, one that will stand the test of time and serve you all your writing life. "I need three things before I tackle a new novel: Diet Coke, a laptop, and my dog-eared copies of James Scott Bell's books on writing craft!" - Kami Garcia, __#1 New York Times__ & International Bestselling author Lire plus…

Angela Ackerman, Becca Puglisi

Crafting likable, interesting characters is a balancing act, and finding that perfect mix of strengths and weaknesses can be difficult. But the task has become easier thanks to __The Negative Trait Thesaurus.__ Through its flaw-centric exploration of character arc, motivation, emotional wounds, and basic needs, writers will learn which flaws make the most sense for their heroes, villains, and other members of the story's cast. Inside __The Negative Trait Thesaurus__ you'll find: \* A vast collection of flaws to explore when building a character's personality. Each entry includes possible causes, attitudes, behaviors, thoughts, and related emotions \* Real examples from literature, film, or television to show how each flaw can create life challenges and relational friction \* Advice on building layered and memorable characters from the ground up \* An in-depth look at backstory, emotional wounds, and how pain warps a character's view of himself and his world, influencing behavior and decision making \* A flaw-centric exploration of character arc, relationships, motivation, and basic needs\* Tips on how to best show a character's flaws to readers while avoiding common pitfalls\* Downloadable tools to aid writers in character creation Written in list format and fully indexed, this brainstorming resource is perfect for creating deep, flawed characters that readers will relate to. __The Negative Trait Thesaurus__ sheds light on your character's dark side. Lire plus…

Angela Ackerman, Becca Puglisi

It's a writer's job to create compelling characters who can withstand life's fallout without giving up. But building authentic, memorable heroes is no easy task. To forge realistic characters, we must hobble them with flaws that set them back while giving them positive attributes to help them achieve their goals. So how do writers choose the right blend of strengths for their characters--attributes that will render them admirable and worth rooting for--without making it too easy for them to succeed?
 Character creation can be hard, but it's about to get a lot easier. **Inside __The Positive Trait Thesaurus__, you'll find:** \* A large selection of attributes to choose from when building a personality profile. Each entry lists possible causes for why a trait might emerge, along with associated attitudes, behaviors, thoughts, and emotions \* Real character examples from literature, film, or television to show how an attribute drives actions and decisions, influences goals, and steers relationships \* Advice on using positive traits to immediately hook readers while avoiding common personality pitfalls \* Insight on human needs and morality, and how each determines the strengths that emerge in heroes and villains alike \* Information on the **key role****positive attributes play** within the character arc, and how they're vital to overcoming fatal flaws and achieving success \* Downloadable tools for organizing a character's attributes and providing a deeper understanding of... Lire plus…

K. M. Weiland

Acclaim for __Structuring Your Novel__“I have long wished for a book like this. __Structuring Your Novel__ is so much more than a writing craft book—it’s a recipe to help writers structure a deep, meaningful journey for their hero that will captivate readers from beginning to end.”—Angela Ackerman, Author of __The Emotion Thesaurus__ “There is absolute gold in this book—and I am grateful that the author has a real talent for distilling some of the somewhat clunky information found elsewhere, into really simple-to-understand and easy-to-follow techniques.”—Robert Scanlon “This book shows a writer how to structure their novel from beginning to end in a no-nonsense manner. It’s fast and easy reading, and MAKES SENSE!”—Carrie C. Spencer About the Book Is Structure the Hidden Foundation of All Successful Stories? Why do some stories work and others don’t? The answer is __structure__. In this IPPY and NIEA-Award winning guide from the author of the bestselling __Outlining Your Novel__, you will learn the universal underpinnings that guarantee powerful plot and character arcs. An understanding of proper story and scene structure will show you how to perfectly time your story’s major events and will provide you with an unerring standard against which to evaluate your novel’s pacing and progression. __Structuring Your Novel__ will show you: * How to determine the best techniques for empowering your unique and personal vision for your story. * How to identify common structural... Lire plus…

James Scott Bell

**There is one sure-fire way of improving your novel __fast__. . .** You may know the fundamentals of how to write fiction. You may be more than competent in plot, structure and characters. But if your dialogue is dull it will drag the whole story down. On the other hand, if your dialogue is crisp and full of tension it __immediately__ grabs the reader. And if that reader is an agent or editor, sharp dialogue will give them instant assurance that you know what you're doing as a writer. Writing a bestseller or hot screenplay is no easy task, but dazzling dialogue is an absolute essential if you want to get there. The best part is, the skills of the dialogue craft are easy to understand and put into practice. #1 bestselling writing coach James Scott Bell has put together and expanded upon the dialogue lectures from his popular writing seminars. In __How to Write Dazzling Dialogue__ you'll learn: * What fictional dialogue is ... and isn't * The 11 secrets of crafting memorable dialogue * The 5 essential tasks of dialogue * 5 ways to improve your dialogue ear * 4 can't-miss methods to increase conflict and tension in any dialogue exchange * The top 10 dialogue issues, and how to resolve them You'll also see dazzling dialogue in action with examples from hit novels and screenplays. Don't sabotage your chances of selling your work to readers or publishers because the dialogue is unexceptional. Dazzle them with what the characters say. __How to Write Dazzling Dialogue__ will... Lire plus…

K. M. Weiland

Acclaim for Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success “Not into outlining? Then someone did not demonstrate it for you the way Weiland has in her book. If you can make a quick trip grocery list, you can outline your next manuscript to benefit your process, using Weiland’s guide.”—Leslie Hultgren “...this is one of the few writing craft books I have read start to finish, was easy to apply to my writing immediately, and helped me follow through on my first draft.”—F. Colley “Ms. Weiland presents a wonderful roadmap for writing while still encouraging you to take those sidetrips that will make your story better. I feel like I can walk the ‘high wire’ of my imagination because I have the safety net of my outline below it all.”—D. Hargan About the Book Let outlines help you write a better book! Writers 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: Ensures cohesion and balance Prevents dead-end ideas Provides foreshadowing Offers assurance and motivation Dispel misconceptions: Requires formal... Lire plus…

Weiland, K.m.

Learn How to Make Your First Draft Easy! Award-winning author K.M. Weiland’s previous book, the bestselling Outlining Your Novel, showed writers how to embrace outlines in a way that makes the writing process fun, inspiring, and easy. Now it’s time to put those lessons to use! Building upon the principles you’ve already learned, the Outlining Your Novel Workbook presents a guided approach to getting the bones of your story down on paper, identifying plot holes, and brainstorming exciting new possibilities. Containing hundreds of incisive questions and imagination-revving exercises, this valuable resource will show you how to: Create your own personalized outlining process Brainstorm premise and plot ideas Discover your characters Choose and create the right settings Organize your scenes And so much more! This accessible and streamlined workbook will empower you to create a powerful outline—and an outstanding novel. Start writing your best book today! writing, how to write, outlining, novel writing, writing guide, outline, gifts for writers, author, fiction, novels, writer, story, k.m. weiland, book, books нонфикшн,Creative Writing Lire plus…