Stringing words together into sentences only scratches the surface of what goes into good fiction writing. Fiction that is truly worthwhile is layered with meaning. Most importantly, it has a sense of truth and realism that the real world often lacks. In other words, fiction, at its best, feels truer than reality.
It takes years to master the craft of fiction writing, to get so good that you make it look effortless. Other than reading plenty of fiction, one of the best ways to master this complicated craft is through writing exercises. I have found that the best fiction writing exercises offer three benefits:.
A good writing exercise imparts useful tools and techniques that, once learned, will stay with you forever. Practice: writing exercises force you to do more than study the craft; they also give you practice and experience. Inspiration: inspiration often comes when we suddenly see the world in a new way. Good writing exercises point you in a new direction and push you toward fresh ideas from broad story concepts to minute details that enrich your narrative.
The book What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers provides fiction writers with all these benefits and a whole lot more. I picked up my copy of What If? This is an incredible resource for learning and practising techniques related to fiction writing, and the short stories in the end are phenomenal. I used this back in college in , and loved it then. I've used in many times since when working with fiction writing groups, and still love it.
Although I liked this book, my two main quibbles are: 1 the selection and arrangement of the collection of short stories, the lengthier ones, that is; and 2 not enough exercises. If you want an exercise on irony, it's not in here. How about one on subtext in dialogue? Although the short stories aren't bad, I prefer them to be grouped together.
A good example is the anthology Points of View by James Moffett. It is solely about POV and Moffett arranged the stories from straight internal mo Although I liked this book, my two main quibbles are: 1 the selection and arrangement of the collection of short stories, the lengthier ones, that is; and 2 not enough exercises.
It is solely about POV and Moffett arranged the stories from straight internal monologue to dramatic monologue to letter narration to diary narration to subjective narration to detached autobiography to memoir or observer narration to anonymous narration single POV to anonymous narration dual POV to anonymous narration multiple POV. The distance from the reader to the narrator's head steadily increases from the beginning of this anthology to the end. Dec 18, Richard Jespers rated it it was amazing.
Another great creative writing text. Practical yet creative in approach. For example, highlighting that which represent the five senses using five different colors. It graphically represents how much or how little your writing is concrete, appealing at least some of the time to Another great creative writing text. It graphically represents how much or how little your writing is concrete, appealing at least some of the time to the five ways we interpret the world. I used it with regard to an entire novel, and the process helped me to revise some rather poverty-stricken areas of the book.
Jun 14, Nena rated it really liked it. This is a wonderful writing exercise book! There are several exercises that I already do in my writing, and I either skip them or tweak them a bit, but it is still helpful because now I know why those tips work or are necessary in writing. I try to do one exercise a day, but I find myself excited by the writing prompts and I end up doing two or three, or even stopping so I can work on a story the exercise has just inspired.
I'm getting so much writing done these days! I will keep using this unti This is a wonderful writing exercise book! I will keep using this until all the tips are drilled into my head. Great, wonderful, book! Tons of easy, relevant exercises, categorized in an easy-to-read manner, complete with student examples. And don't skip out on the short stories at the end of the book! I'd love to get someone participating with me.
Self-promotion aside, do pick up this fantastic book that is applicable to both novel writers and those who do short stor Great, wonderful, book! Self-promotion aside, do pick up this fantastic book that is applicable to both novel writers and those who do short stories. Sep 03, Ryan rated it really liked it Recommends it for: aspiring writers of any sort. This book has some fantastic characterization and plot exercises.
My friend Colin recommended it to me after his summer class on writing, and it happened to be in my curriculum the next semester. While I haven't sat down and done all these yet, I certainly think it presents an amazing way to build full If you want to write, pick it up.
Aug 29, David rated it really liked it. I haven't tried any of the exercises in this book yet, but they look intriguing. Very practical oriented, not nuts and bolts technical, philosophical, or advice on how to live as a writer. Just a series of exercises tons to work on different fiction writing skills. They've got some nice stories tossed in at the end, though they just kind of say "these are good stories" without providing any commentary as to why they were selected or what aspects are particularly well handled.
Sep 27, Clintweathers rated it it was amazing. When I had delusions of literary adequacy, this was always the first thing I read every day. The book is collection of etudes, in the same way that Bartok's Mikrokosmos is -- just lessons to be worked through. This is one of those books I've purchased and given away multiple copies of -- that's how much I love it. Aug 13, Elizabeth rated it liked it. This is my favorite of the writing exercises genre, not a genre I love.
I like this book best read from cover to cover rather than as a tool per se. That way, you get a sense of the authors' philosophy of writing, why to write, what makes authentic writing, what the point is of the whole venture. In the end I found myself agreeing with them often. Sep 26, Shelley rated it really liked it. Good resource for those that teach writing.
The exercises are straightforward and organized by familiar elements of fiction. Shelves: writing-reference , writing-exercises , books-i-teach. All prose writers -- and perhaps poets too -- will find good food for thought here. I've used the exercises in this book for creative writing workshop with writers aged 15 to 75, young men in jail, university students, Mexican journalists, and many others.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one ». Readers also enjoyed. Self Help. About Anne Bernays. Anne Bernays. Anne Bernays is a novelist and writing teacher. Books by Anne Bernays. Need another excuse to treat yourself to a new book this week? We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day. Shifts in Point of View The Unreliable Narrator Who Said That? The Interior Landscape of Vision and Obsession Mixed Motives and Maybes Five Years from Now Dream Work The Skeleton From Situation to Plot How to Develop and Finish Stories So, What Happened?
Show More Show Less. Any Condition Any Condition. See all 11 - All listings for this product. Ratings and Reviews Write a review. Most relevant reviews. Gym for writers Fantastic, well organized book that covers just about every craft element and then offers excercises to practice them.
Great book Verified purchase: Yes Condition: Pre-owned. Best Selling in Textbooks See all. Mms - an Easy Cure by L. Koehof , Trade Paperback 5.
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