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FOR FICTION WRITERS
BY MIKE KLAASSEN
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October 2013
Volume IV, Issue 6 Published monthly
ISSN: 1948-7150
You are welcome to forward this email to your fiction-writing friends.
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Greetings!
The fall is starting off as busy as our summer. I'm hitting the gym at the Y to lift weights three times a week, then riding bike and gardening in between. My fiance,Gerri, continues her weekly Zumba and ballet classes, in addition to daily walks.
We recently enjoyed the Doc Severinsen Band at the Fox Theater in Hutchinson and the Scottish Festival in McPherson. Gerri attended her first bar mitzvah while I went to the 50th anniversary of my high school. Together, we attended the History of the Eagles concert.
Still thrilled to be engaged! No definite wedding plans yet. Maybe next year.
Happy Fiction Writing!
Mike
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BOOK REVIEW:
by Mike KlaassenW riting 21st Century Fiction: High Impact Techniques for Exceptional StorytellingBy Donald Maass Donald Maass is a well known literary agent and author of books about writing and publishing fiction. Writing 21st Century Fiction encompasses a lot of what he has written in previous books but adds much more, all from the perspective of a highly successful agent. The first two chapters provide thought-provoking incite as to where the world of publishing is today and likely to head in the future. He addresses the great divide between literary authors and commercial storytellers, and then predicts the death of genre. Five chapters detail Maass's views about fiction writing from his view as a literary agent who receives (and rejects) a multitude of manuscripts each year. Chapters 8 and 9 outline his thoughts about what it will take to be a successful novelist in the future. Whether or not you have read Maass's other books about writing fiction, Writing 21st Century Fiction is worth your time. I have added this book to my current list of Best Books about Writing Fiction, which is available on my website: www.mikeklaassen.com.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Author Mike Klaassen publishes "For Fiction Writers," a free monthly e-zine.
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FEATURE ARTICLE: The Best Books about Writing Fiction
by Mike Klaassen
There are many ways to learn about writing fiction (seminars, retreats, critique groups, studying your favorite novels), and each has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the most efficient and effective ways to learn more is to read books about the craft if writing fiction. I have studied dozens of books about the craft of writing fiction, and I am pleased to make the following recommendations.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced author wanting to build expertise, I recommend The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller, by John Truby. In fact, if you are likely to read only one book about writing fiction, The Anatomy of Story is the one I recommend.
If you are looking for a lighter, more basic guide to writing fiction, I suggest Writing Fiction for Dummies, by Randy Ingermanson (the "snowflake guy") and Peter Economy, a great overview of the craft and process of writing fiction.
Once you've reviewed the basics in a general how-to book, I recommend all four books in the Write Great Fiction series by Writer's Digest Books:
- Write Great Fiction: Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint (Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints), by Nancy Kress;
- Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure (Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot that Grips Readers from Start to Finish), by James Scott Bell;
- Write Great Fiction: Dialogue (Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Effective Dialogue), by Gloria Kempton; and
- Write Great Fiction: Description & Setting, by Ron Rozelle.
For even deeper understanding, consider these books on specific topics:
- Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing, by Les Edgerton
- Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers at Page One and Never Lets Them Go, by Les Edgerton
- Between the Lines: Master the Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing, by Jessica Page Morrell
- The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing: A 16-Step Program Guaranteed to Take You from Idea to Competed Manuscript, by Evan Marshall
- The Marshall Plan for Getting Your Novel Published: 90 Strategies and Techniques for Selling Your Fiction, by Evan Marshall
- The Power of Point of View: Make a Story Come to Life, by Alicia Rasley
- Scene and Structure, by Jack M. Bickham
For a panoramic view of the future of fiction and specific writing recommendations from a top literary agent, I recommend Writing 21st Century Fiction: High Impact Techniques for Exceptional Storytelling, by Donald Maass.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Author Mike Klaassen publishes "For Fiction Writers," a free monthly e-zine.
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ABOUT MIKE
Mike Klaassen is an author of young-adult and historical fiction. He is also a serious student of the craft of writing fiction. "My goal as a novelist," says Klaassen, "is to write fiction that even the most reluctant readers will enjoy. My goal as a nonfiction author is to share what I have learned about writing fiction." You can learn more about Mike and his novels at www.mikeklaassen.com
Mike Klaassen P.O.Box 4781 Wichita, KS 67204-0781 (316) 744-4325 |
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Copyright 2013 Michael John Klaassen. All rights reserved
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