Making Shapely Fiction

In this book about the craft of writing fiction, Jerome Stern maintains that learning to write spontaneously is the first step to writing well. He includes tips for writing dialogue and action, beginnings and endings, offers a special section featuring an Alphabet for Writers, and more. Here is a book about the craft of writing fiction that is thoroughly useful from the first to the last page--whether the reader is a beginner, a seasoned writer, or a teacher of writing.

You will see how a work takes form and shape once you grasp the principles of momentum, tension, and immediacy. Tension, Stern says, is the mother of fiction. When tension and immediacy combine, the story begins.

Dialogue and action, beginnings and endings, the true meaning of write what you know, and a memorable listing of don'ts for fiction writers are all covered. A special section features an Alphabet for Writers: entries range from Accuracy to Zigzag, with enlightening comments about such matters as Cliffhangers, Point of View, Irony, and Transitions.