How to grow a novel : the most common mistakes writers make and how to overcome them

Each year thousands of fiction writers, from beginners to bestselling author, benefit from Sol Stein's sold-out workshops, featured appearances at writers' conferences, software for writers, on-line columns, and his popular first book for writers, Stein on Writing. Stein practices what he teaches: He is the author of nine novels, including the million-copy bestseller The Magician, as well as editor of such major writers as James Baldwin, Jack Higgins, Elia Kazan, Budd Schulberg, W. H. Auden, and Jacques Barzun, and the teacher and editor of several current bestselling authors. What sets Stein apart is his practical approach. He provides specific techniques that speed writers to successful publication.How to Grow a Novel is not just a book, but an invaluable workshop in print. It includes details and examples from Stein's editorial work with a #1 bestselling novelist as well as talented newcomers. Stein takes the reader backstage in the development of memorable characters and fascinating plots. The chapter on dialogue overflows with solutions for short-story writers, novelists, screenwriters, and playwrights. Stein shows what readers are looking for-- and what they avoid-- in the experience of reading fiction. The book offers guidelines-- and warnings-- of special value for nonfiction writers who want to move into fiction. Stein points to the little, often overlooked things that damage the writer's authority without the writer knowing it. And this book, like no other writing book, takes the reader behind the scenes of the publishing business as it affects writers of every level of experience, revealing the hard truths that are kept behind shut doors. Cover......Page 1 Copyright page......Page 8 Contents......Page 11 Acknowledgments......Page 13 Preface: For the Reader Who Is Also a Writer......Page 15 The Responsibilities of the Writer......Page 21 1 The Reader Is Looking for an Experience......Page 23 2 Is Conflict a Necessity?......Page 39 3 Capturing the Reader......Page 49 4 Success Lies in Seeing the Details......Page 74 5 Characters Who Are Characters......Page 86 6 Backstage: Where Writers Get Their Plots......Page 97 7 Our Native Language Is Not Dialogue......Page 110 8 Getting Intimate with the Reader: Advanced Point of View......Page 128 9 Do You Promise to Tell the Truth, So Help You?......Page 143 10 Where Writers Go Wrong......Page 147 11 How to Pilot Words Precisely......Page 159 12 You Have All the Time You Need......Page 168 13 Revision as Opportunity—and Danger......Page 170 14 Some Fundamentals for Emigrants from Nonfiction......Page 182 Before Beginning to Write......Page 183 Keep in Mind While Writing......Page 184 If You Get Stuck......Page 185 Revising Drafts......Page 186 15 A Few Guidelines for Living Forever......Page 192 The Responsibilities of the Publisher......Page 197 16 The Prospect Before Us......Page 199 17 Putting Out to the World......Page 207 18 Midlist, and Other Fictions of Publishing......Page 213 Envoi......Page 223 19 Welcome to the 21st Century......Page 225 Practical Matters......Page 233 20 Appendix One: The Little Things That Damage the Writer's Authority......Page 235 Typefaces......Page 237 Margins......Page 238 Front Matter......Page 239 Binding the Pages......Page 240 Plays and Screenplays......Page 241 Length......Page 242 Help in Books for Writers......Page 244 Help with Characterization......Page 246 Help on Flashbacks......Page 247 Help for the Computerless......Page 248 Help with Legal Issues......Page 249 Help with Nonfiction......Page 250 Help with Plotting......Page 251 Help with Information About the Publishing Process and Getting Published......Page 252 Help with Revising and Perfecting Drafts......Page 253 Help at Writers' Conferences......Page 254 Glossary......Page 257 A guide to writing a novel by one of the most popular writing instructors in America describes common pitfalls in writing a novel, showing how to avoid them and offering many tips on how to improve one's writing skills. Reprint. 15,000 first printing. "This book offers guidelines and warnings of special value for nonficiton writers who want to move into fiction"--Jacket