From Library Journal
The head of the writing program at Orange Coast College in California and a prolific author with 27 novels to his credit, as well as screenplays, short stories, and 13 nonfiction books, Obstfeld here addresses writers who need help fixing specific areas of their fiction. The book has a strong outline structure, which makes the text easy to follow and accessible to readers looking for specific areas of interest. The topics covered are plot, characterization, setting, style, and theme. In keeping with the title, the author uses first-aid terminology (e.g., ailment, diagnosis, and treatment) as a device to move the reader along. Physical therapy sections give short writing exercises, and case studies look at works that provide both good and bad examples to study. Hints at the end of the book cover grammar mistakes, and Obstfeld recommends that if you want to write you need to read and study a lot of authors. This how-to book will be checked out where books on writing are popular. Recommended for public libraries. Lisa J. Cihlar, Monroe P.L., WI
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Product Description
Every writer struggles with spots that "just aren't working" in their manuscript. No other book on the market approaches works like Fiction First Aid does, which quickly shows how seemingly fatal errors can become both manageable and fixable. Novice and more experienced writers alike will appreciate the book's techniques for identifying and revising weaknesses in their work. Fiction First Aid shows how to repair those wounded manuscripts through easy-to-follow steps, patterned after those found in your typical first-aid manual: 1) Diagnose the problem; 2) Suggest specific remedies; 3) Prescribe therapies to avoid the problem in the future; It couldn't be any easier!
