The Truth about Fiction

By Steven Schoen

Book Overview

This book presents readers and creative writing enthusiasts with comprehensive coverage of the elements of fiction and real-world writing techniques that help build skills such as sensory detailing,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0130257710
• ISBN13: 9780130257710
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Pearson
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Look No Further

I agree with one of the previous reviewers, as 'every new writer does need this book'... to bolster their understanding of the craft of writing. In his preface, the author notes that it was the offhand comment of one of his creative writing students which inspired him to write this book in the first place. She had commented that creative writing was the only course she'd ever taken in which students were expected to know everything before they started such a class. By everything, of course, I think she meant a foundation for writing. In The Truth About Fiction by Steven Schoen, you'll find a comprehensive treatment throughout the book of such a foundation in such dedicated chapters as details, character, plot, story structure, and on through dialogue, point of view, and style. Besides appendixes on research, publication and market research, and manuscript style, a glossary and index are included. The book is a standalone for anyone who wants to begin writing. In fact, it was the only required text for an online short story class I took from a major university. The material is concise, in that it truly does express a lot in a minimum amount of words, and straightforward, as it offers no-nonsense beginning-level emphasis on craft. For the price now (which has increased remarkably since I first purchased the book little more than a year ago), you simply cannot go wrong if you are still considering the purchase of this book. As another reviewer wrote (again, within the preface of the book), "The book is lean and efficient. No fluff, no nonsense - everything is to the point." As my instructor always said in regard to good fiction "...it's what's on the page that is important," this book will give you a running start so that you can concentrate on the creative aspect of your work. This really is one book you don't want to miss having if your're a writer... at any level.

Every new writer needs this book.

Steven Schoen does an absolute thourough job in "The Truth About Fiction." If you are just starting to mark up some pages or if you have some stories or poems already finished, this book should be your bible for writing.You get examples, exercises, do's and dont's and just strait rules of common sense for writing. There are so many aspects of writing and Schoen formats them to help guide you through with less frustration, causing your creativity to flow more naturally.I read this book for a college class and I doubt I will be selling it back to the bookstore.Check it out!

Practical, well-weighted, fairly organized introduction

Teaching creative writing is harder than it looks, and Schoen offers a set of neatly organized topics with succinct overviews, limited examples and useful exercises. At 100 pages the book leaves room for supplemental readings. A seminar-based course might not need this book, but for beginning writers it should fill the need for hands-on instruction in story-telling techniques.The writing course could use a clearer plan of action. How will a student compose a story using this book? Also, the teacher should bring a stronger sense of mission than Chapter 1 ("Lying 101") offers.Finally, though, Schoen does emphasize the central importance of dynamic characters driving plot. This will allow me, for example, to make moral agency (briefly, every character's freedom of choice, causative craftsmanship in multiple contexts, internal and external reaction, and the actor's past and future responsibility) the center of the story that my students will write.

Approachable Fiction Writing Text

I plan to use this book to teach a community ed. fiction writing class. It is very approachable with practical, usable advice. Also, the format works well for quick reference. A very handy introduction to fiction writing.

Glad to see this book in print finally

I had the distinct pleasure of taking Steve Schoen's creative writing class a but back. He had just got the deal for this book to be done, but used early drafts to teach the class (and get reader feedback). Anyone who wishes jump into beginning level story writing will enjoy this. It covers all the bases well, from idea formulating to conventions to writing to an audience. I recommend this heartily.