Living the Dream: An Outline for a Life in Fiction

by Michael Seidman

Book Overview

Living the Dream: An Outline for a Life in Fiction This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0881848719
• ISBN13: 9780881848717
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf Publishers
• Length: 283 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Not For Beginners

This is not another book that tells you how to develop character or how to move a character from one room to another.It doesn't outline seventeen pitfalls of grammar or the 23 basic plots.If you still think you ought to find synonyms for "said", you ain't ready for this one yet.This book is for would-be writers who have talent and have worked hard to develop it. It tells you what to do next if you want to write... particularly, if you want to write fiction.Particularly, if you want to write popular fiction.If what you want to write is literary fiction, then this book won't help you and, heavens to Betsy, who can blame it?

Mixed Feelings

At times, I found this book lacked freshness--it said what so many others had said before. At others, I was drawn in and found Seidman's suggestions exciting and interesting. My favorite chapters were 7--an outline of the hero's journey--and 4--an overview of fiction genres. If you don't mind wading through the old-had advice, you will find your self rewarded with plenty of fresh and savory guidelines and tips. This book is most appropriate for the beginner or novice writer.