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Title: Fiction Writing Demystified: Techniques That Will Make You a More Successful Writer by Thomas B. Sawyer, Tom Sawyer ISBN: 0-9627476-1-0 Publisher: Ashleywilde Inc Pub. Date: 01 April, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (4 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Years of Experience and a Teacher's Touch
Comment: Confession time: lining the dustier shelves of my workspace are largely unread books with titles like "Practical Tips for Writing Popular Fiction" and "How to Tell a Story." These were acquired in various weak moments--generally after receiving yet another rejection slip--when doubting my abilities. Always, after skimming the first few chapters, I would chastise myself for wasting another $20.00 or so, and swear never to be enticed by another such title.
So when the review copy of "Fiction Writing Demystified" hit my desk I was, to say the least, skeptical. After all, the subtitle promises "Techniques That Will Make You a More Successful Writer." Thoroughly convinced I was wasting my time, I nevertheless opened to the Preface and began reading. Quite literally, I couldn't put it down: all 195 pages (back and front matter comprise the balance) were devoured in one sitting, leaving me hungry for more.
Beginning with the first page, Mr. Sawyer offers a bounty of reasonable and specific advice, useful not only for the novice but for the accomplished writer as well. Drawing upon his years of experience as a creative writing teacher, screenwriter and novelist, he presents practical techniques for crafting a tight, gripping story with powerful characters and unique, exceptional dialogue.
This is not to imply that only fiction writers will benefit from Mr. Sawyer's book. Indeed, a better title might have been "Creative Writing Demystified," as much of what he has to say can be applied by creative writers of all stripes. The historian, the self-help guru, even the cookbook writer all must engage their readers, or "...they'll stop reading or watching or paying attention to whatever it is we're trying to say."
Perhaps the great strength of this book lies in Mr. Sawyer's ability to convey his knowledge and experience in clear, concise language, and an easy to read, conversational format. Certainly some of what Mr. Sawyer writes will seem rudimentary to the experienced writer. But it is basic in a forehead-slapping, "Of course!" way--and a little blatancy is to be expected in a book with so broad a target audience. Still, given some of the fiction I've read--and, to my chagrin, written--lately, many of us would do well to heed much of that fundamental wisdom.
Rating: 5
Summary: An unusually helpful and useful resource
Comment: Thomas B. Sawyer was the head writer/producer/showrunner of the popular television series "Murder, She Wrote", as well as a vast number of other scripts for more than fifteen other shows. Sawyer is also a professional teacher of creative writing and screen writing who co-created the award-winning software "Plots Unlimited" for fiction writers. In Fiction Writing Demystified, Sawyer draws upon his many years of experience and documented expertise to present the tricks, tips, and techniques of the trade that apply to all forms of writing, including clear, reader-involving fiction, nonfiction, poetry, sermons, essays, business writing, and any other form of storytelling. Individual chapters persuasively address the writer's optimum mindset, story ideas, the laborious yet rewarding process of crafting a story, red flags to avoid, crafting memorable characters, distinctive dialogue, and much, much more. Fiction Writing Demystified is enthusiastically recommended as being an unusually helpful and useful resource -- especially for the novice writing seeking to be published and/or produced.
Rating: 5
Summary: Will lead you to success!
Comment: Fiction Writing Demystified is a powerhouse of solid information that will definitely improve your performance as a writer. Sawyer breaks his purpose down into a simple statement: "In a very real way, this book is about troubleshooting your own writing." He provides you with the tools to become a self-editor.
Sawyer walks you through the mindset of the writer, the beginning of the story, the writing process, the construction, and creating unique dialogue. But for me, the most enlightening portion of the book is the character development chapter. This lengthy chapter makes up almost half of the book and covers aspects of character development that I had not even considered.
Sawyer's writing style is conversational and bright. It moves along at a steady pace and propels you forward. I read the entire book before stopping for coffee. It is one how-to manual that you just cannot put down. From the beginning, I was reminded of my favorite writing how-to book, On Writing, by Stephen King. Sawyer's tone and style are so close to King's. His choice of words also resembles King's. Both men reduce the most complex topics into plain, easy to understand explanations.
Fiction Writing Demystified delivers on the promise to make you a more successful writer. If you follow the instructions in this book, I am certain that you will find your manuscripts being accepted more frequently and revised very little. My only problem with any of the advice is when Sawyer warns writers to omit dialect. I have heard this wisdom dispensed by professional writers, editors, publishers, and instructors ever since I began writing. Yet, we repeatedly fall in love with the very characters that have the strongest dialect, proving that the public does tire of making believe that all people are standard Middle American. From Cyndi Lauper and Fran the Nanny to Andy Griffith and Gomer Pyle, we love dialects and variety in our characters. Unfortunately, as long as the icons of the business continue to warn writers to avoid dialects, we will be stuck with Stepford Middle American speech patterns. I would have liked to hear Sawyer stating that dialect is okay, but I am sure that he feels it would greatly reduce the marketability of work. He is providing his readers with solid advice for success.
Thomas B. Sawyer has been on the writing staff of 15 network TV series. He has written 9 series pilots and 100 episode scripts. He was the Head-writer/Producer/Showrunner of Murder She Wrote. His resume goes on and only becomes more impressive.
Reprinted from Gotta Write Network Online.
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Title: How to Write Killer Fiction: The Funhouse of Mystery & the Roller Coaster of Suspense by Carolyn Wheat ISBN: 1880284626 Publisher: Daniel & Daniel Pub Pub. Date: May, 2003 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title: The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life by Noah Lukeman ISBN: 0312309287 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 18 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: The First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile by Noah Lukeman ISBN: 068485743X Publisher: Fireside Pub. Date: 20 January, 2000 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors by Brandilyn Collins ISBN: 0471058947 Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Pub. Date: 01 March, 2002 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: Novelists Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes by Raymond Obstfeld ISBN: 0898799732 Publisher: Writers Digest Books Pub. Date: July, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
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