The Essence of Fiction: A Practical Handbook for Successful Writing

by Malcolm McConnell

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393023060
• ISBN13: 9780393023060
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 2 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The Essence of Fiction

Malcolm McConnell has in one book hit upon all the points necessary for good fiction writing. By using examples of his students' writing as starting points, he takes us along on the journey where these writers become more and more polished in their craft. I was particularly impressed with the progress made by Bill Schmit, one of his student writers, from the first draft of "With No Regrets" to his rewrite. Mr. McConnell used this second draft to illustrate the "Pivot of Illumination" in one of the characters. To quote Mr. McConnell, "I am not suggesting that the second draft of "With No Regrets" is completely integrated, faultlessly polished fiction.But I use these two draft scenes as examples of what can be accomplished once the beginning writer understands the requirements of dramatic structure in fiction." Read this book and you'll begin to appreciate the journey writers like "Bill Schmit" take in polishing their craft. Maybe one day "Bill Schmit" WILL write that "completely integrated, faultlessly polished fiction" Malcolm McConnell talks about in "The Essence of Fiction."