Help me write fiction, Obi-Wan Kenobi
May 29, 2013 9:37 AM Subscribe
Looking for videos or books that explain the craft of writing fiction stories/scifi stories, although the genre is not as important.
I'm writing short stories, but like most people, I struggle with the craft of writing stories because the craft of writing is not taught.
Ideally, I am looking for videos and/or books that address this. In addition, it is more helpful to me if it provides examples from popular fiction and/or short stories to demonstrate the points.
Even though the genre that I am writing in is science fiction, I am open to anything that addressing the craft of writing a fiction story, whether it involves playwriting, scriptwriting, fiction, or science fiction.
I am fine with paying for a video if that is the best resource, but within reason (i.e. $50, okay, hundreds to thousands, not so much).
If possible, please provide a brief blurb as to why you like it or found it helpful to you and/or if it meets that criteria that I'm looking for -I am capable of using Amazon and google to search, but I can't figure out if the books that I find provides examples, too.
I am also including examples of what I have found very helpful to me in the past, along with types of books that were not helpful, just in case someone else also loved book X and for that reason recommends book Y. Thank you!
Books/videos that have been helpful for me:
• Writing Fundamentals: The Craft of Story by Lisa Cron and it was helpful because she gave examples and provided a checklist of things to look for in your story. Video format. Checklists were included.
• Even better than that video was one by Mark Kines, a screenwriter. He described a process for writing stories (beginning, ends, twists), and very good examples. Also video format.
• Ben Bova's "The Craft of Writing Science Fiction That Sells" has been useful to me because he gives advice on crafting a story based on his experience as a scifi author and editor. More than that, though, he gives specific examples (to popular stories and/or short scifi stories in the book). The book also includes checklists.
What I am not looking for:
• Books about writing that have obvious advice (don't use too many adverbs!, use speech tags such as "said") or just top line suggestions (i.e. science fiction is ....., a story needs a beginning and an end).
• Books about a writer that is inspirational rather than provide advice for crafting the story (i.e. Bradbury went to the library and typed out his story a rented type writer, or he stayed true to his childhood dreams - fun to read, but doesn't give actual suggestions).
• Books addressing grammar.
I'm writing short stories, but like most people, I struggle with the craft of writing stories because the craft of writing is not taught.
Ideally, I am looking for videos and/or books that address this. In addition, it is more helpful to me if it provides examples from popular fiction and/or short stories to demonstrate the points.
Even though the genre that I am writing in is science fiction, I am open to anything that addressing the craft of writing a fiction story, whether it involves playwriting, scriptwriting, fiction, or science fiction.
I am fine with paying for a video if that is the best resource, but within reason (i.e. $50, okay, hundreds to thousands, not so much).
If possible, please provide a brief blurb as to why you like it or found it helpful to you and/or if it meets that criteria that I'm looking for -I am capable of using Amazon and google to search, but I can't figure out if the books that I find provides examples, too.
I am also including examples of what I have found very helpful to me in the past, along with types of books that were not helpful, just in case someone else also loved book X and for that reason recommends book Y. Thank you!
Books/videos that have been helpful for me:
• Writing Fundamentals: The Craft of Story by Lisa Cron and it was helpful because she gave examples and provided a checklist of things to look for in your story. Video format. Checklists were included.
• Even better than that video was one by Mark Kines, a screenwriter. He described a process for writing stories (beginning, ends, twists), and very good examples. Also video format.
• Ben Bova's "The Craft of Writing Science Fiction That Sells" has been useful to me because he gives advice on crafting a story based on his experience as a scifi author and editor. More than that, though, he gives specific examples (to popular stories and/or short scifi stories in the book). The book also includes checklists.
What I am not looking for:
• Books about writing that have obvious advice (don't use too many adverbs!, use speech tags such as "said") or just top line suggestions (i.e. science fiction is ....., a story needs a beginning and an end).
• Books about a writer that is inspirational rather than provide advice for crafting the story (i.e. Bradbury went to the library and typed out his story a rented type writer, or he stayed true to his childhood dreams - fun to read, but doesn't give actual suggestions).
• Books addressing grammar.
Best answer: Writing Down the Bones, by Natalie Goldberg
Bird By Bird, by Anne Lamott
posted by janey47 at 10:08 AM on May 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Bird By Bird, by Anne Lamott
posted by janey47 at 10:08 AM on May 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Making Shapely Fiction is pretty good on shaping your plots, so a step beyond "have a beginning, middle, and end." Lot of basic vocab stuff in the back you probably know, but the plot-shaping advice is helpful.
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 10:18 AM on May 29, 2013
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 10:18 AM on May 29, 2013
Best answer: The best craft-related books I've read are:
The Art of Fiction, John Gardner -- this is several decades old now and specifically oriented toward non-genre fiction, but it has advice on prose rhythm and sentence structure that I haven't seen equalled anywhere else. If some of the distinctions he makes in the beginning (between "tales" and "yarns," for example) seem weird or outdated, persevere.
From Where You Dream, Robert Olen Butler -- this is a very, very specific book, aimed at getting writers out of generalities and into learning to write moment-by-moment sensory detail that is weighted with nuance and emotions. Which makes it seem like it should be a niche book, but Butler shows how writing sensory detail can ripple out into the thematic content of the story, the character development, what the characters yearn for. It's really good.
Honorable mentions:
Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin is excellent as an advanced-level reader on prose style.
For plotting commercial fiction, Writing 21st Century Fiction and Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass are excellent at getting at what makes stories work for a mass audience, while not talking down to your audience. I like that he can take examples from women's fiction and romance and literary fiction as easily as from thrillers.
Cockeyed Caravan is possibly my favorite resource on screenwriting, maybe even more than Robert McKee's Story. I'm not a screenwriter but it's really insightful on story structure -- detailed without being too rigid, and with a keen appreciation for both Hollywood hits and low-budget independent movies.
posted by Jeanne at 10:21 AM on May 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
The Art of Fiction, John Gardner -- this is several decades old now and specifically oriented toward non-genre fiction, but it has advice on prose rhythm and sentence structure that I haven't seen equalled anywhere else. If some of the distinctions he makes in the beginning (between "tales" and "yarns," for example) seem weird or outdated, persevere.
From Where You Dream, Robert Olen Butler -- this is a very, very specific book, aimed at getting writers out of generalities and into learning to write moment-by-moment sensory detail that is weighted with nuance and emotions. Which makes it seem like it should be a niche book, but Butler shows how writing sensory detail can ripple out into the thematic content of the story, the character development, what the characters yearn for. It's really good.
Honorable mentions:
Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin is excellent as an advanced-level reader on prose style.
For plotting commercial fiction, Writing 21st Century Fiction and Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass are excellent at getting at what makes stories work for a mass audience, while not talking down to your audience. I like that he can take examples from women's fiction and romance and literary fiction as easily as from thrillers.
Cockeyed Caravan is possibly my favorite resource on screenwriting, maybe even more than Robert McKee's Story. I'm not a screenwriter but it's really insightful on story structure -- detailed without being too rigid, and with a keen appreciation for both Hollywood hits and low-budget independent movies.
posted by Jeanne at 10:21 AM on May 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: A book that I really liked is The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them). It all may seem like obvious advice but it really isn't. It details common mistakes made, exactly why they don't work, and what you should do instead of these particular mistakes (and why the alternative will make your story work better).
As one review puts it, behind every negative in the book is a positive.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 10:38 AM on May 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
As one review puts it, behind every negative in the book is a positive.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 10:38 AM on May 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I think the War of Art is the best book, and Pressfield's website is very useful.
posted by Ideefixe at 11:36 AM on May 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Ideefixe at 11:36 AM on May 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I've read a lot of these books and none meant as much to me as the Gardner, already doubly mentioned above.
posted by escabeche at 12:29 PM on May 29, 2013
posted by escabeche at 12:29 PM on May 29, 2013
Best answer: My criteria for books and articles on writing is "does it make me want to go write"?
Some that I've found useful lately:
Jim Butcher's livejournal (scroll to the bottom and start there --it's in reverse order.) I've also purchased the book by the writing teacher that he refers too, Jack Bickham, Writing and Selling Your Novel. But read Butcher's posts first and see if his advice seems helpful.
The other book I would strongly recommend is Robert McKee's Story. It's directed at screenwriting, but the advice on how to build and structure a solid story is gold. And again, it's hard to finish a chapter without wanting to go off and write something pertinent to what you just read.
For fun, you could also try Michael Moorcock's article on How to Write a Book in Three Days which complements Lester Dent's Master Fiction Plot. Great stuff if you just want to sit down and churn out a story. Moorcock chimes in on a discussion of it here.
Finally, I'd seek out interviews with authors whose world-building you admire. Gene Wolfe comes to mind. A great quote from him:
"When you write a story of your own, you start with a good idea. You try to get the style right for the particular story you're writing (because no one style is right for every story). You work hard, because you notice that the harder you work the better the story gets. Then you discover that your story doesn't have the effect on others that you know it should, and you don't know why. I'm going to tell you -- watch my lips.
You didn't really do much with your idea. You unconsciously assumed that because it was such a fine, strong, sleek, and even potentially dangerous idea, that it could run the story by itself.
Let's change the metaphor. There are tigers in zoos and there are tigers in circuses. The tigers in zoos are strong and sleek and beautiful, and potentially quite dangerous; but they don't do anything. The tigers in circuses are no stronger, no sleeker, no more beautiful, and no more dangerous; but they do things that surprise us and perhaps even frighten us a little bit. We see them in action. People pay to get into circuses, but zoos are free. Now do you get the picture?" - Gene Wolfe, Castle of Days
posted by zueod at 1:13 PM on May 29, 2013
Some that I've found useful lately:
Jim Butcher's livejournal (scroll to the bottom and start there --it's in reverse order.) I've also purchased the book by the writing teacher that he refers too, Jack Bickham, Writing and Selling Your Novel. But read Butcher's posts first and see if his advice seems helpful.
The other book I would strongly recommend is Robert McKee's Story. It's directed at screenwriting, but the advice on how to build and structure a solid story is gold. And again, it's hard to finish a chapter without wanting to go off and write something pertinent to what you just read.
For fun, you could also try Michael Moorcock's article on How to Write a Book in Three Days which complements Lester Dent's Master Fiction Plot. Great stuff if you just want to sit down and churn out a story. Moorcock chimes in on a discussion of it here.
Finally, I'd seek out interviews with authors whose world-building you admire. Gene Wolfe comes to mind. A great quote from him:
"When you write a story of your own, you start with a good idea. You try to get the style right for the particular story you're writing (because no one style is right for every story). You work hard, because you notice that the harder you work the better the story gets. Then you discover that your story doesn't have the effect on others that you know it should, and you don't know why. I'm going to tell you -- watch my lips.
You didn't really do much with your idea. You unconsciously assumed that because it was such a fine, strong, sleek, and even potentially dangerous idea, that it could run the story by itself.
Let's change the metaphor. There are tigers in zoos and there are tigers in circuses. The tigers in zoos are strong and sleek and beautiful, and potentially quite dangerous; but they don't do anything. The tigers in circuses are no stronger, no sleeker, no more beautiful, and no more dangerous; but they do things that surprise us and perhaps even frighten us a little bit. We see them in action. People pay to get into circuses, but zoos are free. Now do you get the picture?" - Gene Wolfe, Castle of Days
posted by zueod at 1:13 PM on May 29, 2013
Best answer: Nthing Gardner's The Art of Fiction. Note that a book of similar title 'by' Ayn Rand was published posthumously in 2000. Do not get that one.
posted by trip and a half at 3:13 PM on May 29, 2013
posted by trip and a half at 3:13 PM on May 29, 2013
Best answer: A long while back I flipped through Orson Scott Card*'s How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy and I found it made me think a bit.
The 3-star reviews of it mention that it is 'preoccupied with the basics' but it is cheap used, your library probably has it, and you can probably tear through it in a few sittings.
*I know, I know.
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:22 PM on May 29, 2013
The 3-star reviews of it mention that it is 'preoccupied with the basics' but it is cheap used, your library probably has it, and you can probably tear through it in a few sittings.
*I know, I know.
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:22 PM on May 29, 2013
Response by poster: I wanted to say thank you to every single person who took the time to answer this. Even if I didn't favorite it, I think all of the answers will help some other person who is trying to write fiction and finds this ask meta.
Jeanne, those are very helpful recommendations. In reality, there are many aspects of this process that I have a hard time with, and your recommendations are very diverse and hit the other key areas. I didn't even think about reading a blog, and I read webpages from Cockeyed Caravan, and it was very helpful info, too.
Based on the recommendations here (and further evaluation on Amazon), I am going to start with Story and Gardner's The Art of Fiction.
After I make my way through these 2 books, I am planning to further evaluate and will decide between Making Shapely Fiction, Ursula Le Guin's Steering the Craft, and Stephen King's On Writing (thanks for the further details, Empress, I borrowed that book years ago and read the beginning where he describes how he worked as a teacher, at the laundry mat in the summers, and assumed it was all inspirational stuff, so I will definitely look at it again based on your comment).
posted by Wolfster at 6:06 AM on May 31, 2013
Jeanne, those are very helpful recommendations. In reality, there are many aspects of this process that I have a hard time with, and your recommendations are very diverse and hit the other key areas. I didn't even think about reading a blog, and I read webpages from Cockeyed Caravan, and it was very helpful info, too.
Based on the recommendations here (and further evaluation on Amazon), I am going to start with Story and Gardner's The Art of Fiction.
After I make my way through these 2 books, I am planning to further evaluate and will decide between Making Shapely Fiction, Ursula Le Guin's Steering the Craft, and Stephen King's On Writing (thanks for the further details, Empress, I borrowed that book years ago and read the beginning where he describes how he worked as a teacher, at the laundry mat in the summers, and assumed it was all inspirational stuff, so I will definitely look at it again based on your comment).
posted by Wolfster at 6:06 AM on May 31, 2013
Best answer: I borrowed that book years ago and read the beginning where he describes how he worked as a teacher, at the laundry mat in the summers, and assumed it was all inspirational stuff...
Oh, yeah, the second half of the book is much more nuts-and-bolts. I think he says that the first half is more memoir and then the second half is more of a classroom/lecture kind of situation.
I just reread the second part yesterday, in fact - he actually shows you both the first AND the second draft of the first couple pages of 1408, with lots of marks showing you what he edited and how he changed it, and with lots of commentary about why. It may make for an interesting exercise for study to get that, and a copy of the published version of 1408, and make notes comparing all three.
The biggest advice that he and any other writing class will give you is to Just Do It, and I'm trying to get myself back into the habit of writing 1,000 words a day whether I'm working on something or not. Right now what I write is pure and total brain vomit, but I'm committing to disciplined output, and that's the biggest challenge, i find.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:11 AM on May 31, 2013
Oh, yeah, the second half of the book is much more nuts-and-bolts. I think he says that the first half is more memoir and then the second half is more of a classroom/lecture kind of situation.
I just reread the second part yesterday, in fact - he actually shows you both the first AND the second draft of the first couple pages of 1408, with lots of marks showing you what he edited and how he changed it, and with lots of commentary about why. It may make for an interesting exercise for study to get that, and a copy of the published version of 1408, and make notes comparing all three.
The biggest advice that he and any other writing class will give you is to Just Do It, and I'm trying to get myself back into the habit of writing 1,000 words a day whether I'm working on something or not. Right now what I write is pure and total brain vomit, but I'm committing to disciplined output, and that's the biggest challenge, i find.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:11 AM on May 31, 2013
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And as for an illustration - he actually lets you see the first draft of his story "1408" and deconstructs what went into its creation. (In fact, I think the first draft of 1408 happened IN "On Writing" as just a "showing you what the first draft process was like".)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:57 AM on May 29, 2013 [1 favorite]