The Fiction Writers Handbook

Reviews

The Fiction Writers Handbook - Nancy Smith

Judy Piatkus (Publishers) Ltd, ISBN 0-7499-1047-X, ISBN 0-7499-1152-2(Pbk)

This book is packed with excellent advice for anyone who wants to write. Each chapter is full of detailed information on the many aspects of writing whether you are planning a short story, novel or magazine article. I found it to be the type of book where each page had me writing a note or two for my future reference it was a tutorial in itself! For example it details the consideration to be given between the short story and the novel. A point dear to all our hearts! Writing for love or money! Yet another matter for us to consider, she gives a balanced analysis on this point. It really does give a strong basis to the way we write and how our writing habits develop.

She goes into the technique of fiction writing in great detail covering characterisation, emotions, conflict, and choice of words and style. On the novel itself she outlines the different kinds of novels, historical or contemporary, which genre is suitable for your own style of writing; how to plan and devise a formula. This process is also outlined for the short story. Explanation is given on the practical side of writing. Working methods, presentation, dealing with rejection and the use of various agencies. The final section details the legal aspects of writing and the various methods of book packaging and publication. Some very useful addresses are also provided.

This is a book for everyone that wishes to develop his or her craft to read. Personally, I've been through it about four times and each time I pick it up I learn something new.

Harry Summerton

Make Every Word Count - Gary Provost

Writers Digest Books - ISBN 0 89879 020 4, ISBN 0 89879 040 9 (Pbk)

Gary Provost writes so well I couldn't put the book down. As the title suggests, it's all about learning to use the right words and making them work better for you. As he says, 'Every word, every sentence, every paragraph must be doing some work or it should be fired.'

The author's enthusiasm carried me along. I learned about the usefulness of the more interesting active voice, how to 'show, don't tell', writing tight, appealing to the senses, avoiding the clichés, using dialogue, especially to characterise, descriptions that work and points of view.

The book, forcefully written, is never boring. Throughout its 200 pages, I had to keep reading on. It made me aware of the true value of words and Gary Provost uses many anecdotes to richly illustrate points about the work words do.

His easy style gives tips, rules and ideas to improve any kind of writing.

Elizabeth Wright

Produced by Editor Software

I wouldn't be without this program on my computer. Even when I've revised and edited my work several times, a quick run-through with StyleWriter often finds clichés, grammatical mistakes and passive English I hadn't spotted.

Detailed statistics include word counts, sentence and paragraph lengths, and allow me to check the use of jargon, redundancies, tautologies, complex words, sexist writing and the dreaded passive verbs. But best of all, StyleWriter give me scores for style and the use of passive verbs, allowing me to see at a glance whether my writing will read well.

Simple to install, it puts a toolbar button in Microsoft Word, and can be started with a mouse click. As well as the normal Help screens, there is an easy-to-follow manual that offers instructions on installing and running the program, and customising it to your needs. Online help is also available.

The chapter on the principles of good writing offers tips and ideas as good as any you'll find in 'how-to' books. And, as it says in my manual - 'the art of good writing is rewriting'. With StyleWriter, you have a friend on your computer than can help you polish your writing.

Rob Crouch