|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
|
Product Description
From Library Journal
Frey ( How To Write a Damn Good Novel , St. Martin's, 1987) expands on his earlier take on the art of novel writing. His focus here is on dramatic fiction. Using examples from a broad range of fiction, he shows what these works have in common and how writers can learn from the authors to improve their own writing. Some of the areas discussed are developing characters, creating suspense, using a strong narrative voice, and understanding the author/reader contract. Chapter 8, entitled "The Seven Deadly Mistakes," talks about being timid, trying to be literary, and the failure to produce; it gives some advice on how to avoid these writing traps. The final word is to write with passion. This is a good choice for the writing shelf. It is a clear-headed study, with a bit of humor and solid advice. Anyone who owns the first book should have this one, but it can also stand on its own. Recommended for public libraries.
- Lisa J. Cochenet, Winfield P.L., Ill.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Lisa J. Cochenet, Winfield P.L., Ill.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"Frey expands on his earlier take on the art of novel writing. His focus here is on dramatic fiction. Using examples from a broad range of fiction, he shows what these works have in common and how writers can learn from the authors to improve their own writing. Some of the areas discussed are developing characters, creating suspense, using a strong narrative voice, and understanding the author/reader contract . . . A good choice for the writing shelf. It is a clear-headed study, with a bit of humor and solid advice. Anyone who owns the first book should have this one, but it can also stand on its own."—Library Journal
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
If you're going to succeed in a service business, you've got to know why people come to you for services and what you can do to satisfy them. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
If you're going to succeed in a service business, you've got to know why people come to you for services and what you can do to satisfy them. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as the first book,
By A Customer
This review is from: How to Write a Damn Good Novel, II: Advanced Techniques For Dramatic Storytelling (Hardcover)
When I read Frey's first book from the library I was madly scribbling notes on all the wonderful things he had to say. I bought the second book thinking that would give me what the first had and more, but I didn't like it as well. It seemed like a rehash and not as well done as the first, which I ended up buying afer all. I think How to Write A Damn Good Novel I is one of the best 've read on how to make your novel coheseive and dramatic instead of melodramatic. Only SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS has given me more concrete and excellent ideas on dialogue and character. Both books have illiminating examples from such novelists as P.D. James, Le Carre, Fitzgerald, and Flaubert to show you how to impletment the craft they describe so well. Both can make you a much, much better writer if you apply the principles described. People who say writing can't be taught need to read these books!
4.0 out of 5 stars
Giving the Art Form,
By
This review is from: How to Write a Damn Good Novel, II: Advanced Techniques For Dramatic Storytelling (Hardcover)
James N. Frey writes an extremely readable how-to guide which forces the would-be writer to take a good look at him/herself and the story he/she is writing. Instead of going through the usual definitions of tone, description, theme, characterization and dialogue, Frey cuts right to the heart: does the writing transport the reader? Does the story have a premise? Is the narration strong? Does the writer deliver to his audience what he promises? Whether he illustrates his methodology with examples from popular writers like Stephen King and Peter Bencheley or classic literary greats like Jane Austin and Franz Kafka, his upbeat common sense advise underlines the usual directive that a writer must write in order to see his dream become reality. In order to write the next modern classic, you must color within the lines first, creating a clear idea of what you wish your reader to come away with and sticking to it. The art has a form.It takes no more than a rainy afternoon to read this book. As you read, your thoughts will gather and you will begin to experiment with story ideas already gathering dust in your head. Using his guidelines just may allow you to see past the idea through to a fully developed story. Remember however, that Frey isn't going to write the story for you---he's there to help formulate your thought patterns into something meaningful and publishable. He may give the art form, but the art is yours to create.
4.0 out of 5 stars
The best How To book on Writing a Damn Good Novel,
By A Customer
This review is from: How to Write a Damn Good Novel, II: Advanced Techniques For Dramatic Storytelling (Hardcover)
I've studied writing for a while. I've taken courses taught by ramblers who have written successful books. I've studied with phenomenal writers and teachers, but a lot of their stuff was all over the place. Frey's book is the real deal. Read it, Do it his way,and you'll do well. He's big on picking a theme for your novel and then proving it. If money buys you more trouble than goodness, you have to prove this through the lives of your characters. If you have a story to tell and want to tell it in novel form, this book holds your feet to the fire. He has a fixit for ever excuse from writer's block to fleshing out your characters. Enjoy. Dixie Swanson
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Want to see more reviews on this item?
|
Most recent customer reviews |
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
