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"John Gardner was famous for his generosity to young writers, and (this book) is his . . . gift to them. The Art of Fiction will fascinate anyone interested in how fiction gets put together. For the young writer, it will become a necessary handbook, a stern judge, an encouraging friend."--The New York Times Book Review.
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What the beginning writer ordinarily wants is a set of rules on what to do and what not to do in writing fiction. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
What the beginning writer ordinarily wants is a set of rules on what to do and what not to do in writing fiction. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
John Gardner has created an excellent resource for aspiring fiction writers who want to know how to write well. Gardner is direct in his tone, providing his readers with upfront and honest advice about what makes good fiction writing.
Gardner describes fiction as a dream world into which the writer takes the reader. His ultimate advice is to always consider the flow of the dream, and to be wary of any pitfall that might awake the reader from the story. He discusses such issues as style, grammar, plotting, and how they are necessary and contribute to excellent fiction writing.
The book closes with a series of exercises, a set for groups and a set for individuals, that provide an excellent jumping point for developing the superior writing skills that Gardner tries to teach.
Gardner describes fiction as a dream world into which the writer takes the reader. His ultimate advice is to always consider the flow of the dream, and to be wary of any pitfall that might awake the reader from the story. He discusses such issues as style, grammar, plotting, and how they are necessary and contribute to excellent fiction writing.
The book closes with a series of exercises, a set for groups and a set for individuals, that provide an excellent jumping point for developing the superior writing skills that Gardner tries to teach.
Gardner's ideas are important considerations for the beginning writer, and important refreshers for the established writer. If you want to learn how to write fiction, but only want to buy one book on how to write, this is the one.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a writing instructor and literary agent, I am a regular visitor to writing reference sections. John Gardner's book is sometimes hard to read and follow, but it does explain the basics. And I haven't found any other writing reference book that discusses psychic distance (a very important beginner concept, *not* ESP!) and word rhythms (an advanced concept) quite as well as this one does. This should probably be the third or fourth book a writer should buy, after Stein on Writing, Getting the Words Right, and perhaps Valerie Storey's The Essential Guide for New Writers.
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although there is much to be learned from Gardner's classic, when I've used this text in my college intro to fiction-writing courses, it doesn't fly too well. My students are put off by Gardner's insistence that the young writer is always male, and they usually haven't read many of the works to which he refers. Because Gardner is so exacting about what good fiction is, many students feel paralyzed after reading *The Art of Fiction*--they feel it's impossible to do anything even remotely correctly. But if you can get past those problem areas, then this book is a gold mine. The exercises are provocative and, yes, educational.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Unnecessarily difficult and over opinionated
Though I'd read about this book and had been recommended it as the essential guide for writing fiction, I was very disappointed by it. Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2002
Difficult, Demanding Text on Writing
If you're a beginning fiction writer, odds are that this book will be too difficult for you. Don't be misled by the glowing reviews. Read more
Published on 5 Aug 1999
The best book on fiction writing I've ever read.
My summary pretty much says it all; no fiction writer should be without this book. I first read it almost 20 years ago, and every few years I re-read it to refresh myself. Read more
Published on 2 Jun 1999
All fiction writers should own a copy
Ignore the rest: this is undoubtedly the best. Ignore, too, the bit in the title that says "Young Writers". If you seek instant improvement, there is no better recipe.
Published on 1 Jun 1999
Perfect.
It was recommended to me by an excellent writer. It has been praised in my presensce by many professional writers. It is referred to as the Writer's Bible. It is perfect.
Published on 3 May 1999
Every writer should read this book.
I have read this book four times and given it to about ten writers I know. Its like a bible and each time I read it I find something new. Read more
Published on 10 April 1999
Honest and relevent. These are the words of a great writer.
After reading many of John Gardner's works of fiction, I happened upon this book in a used bookstore and bought it without only a moment's hesitation. Read more
Published on 16 Sep 1998
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