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Bestseller: Secrets of Successful Writing
 
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Bestseller: Secrets of Successful Writing (Paperback)

by Celia Brayfield (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
RRP: £9.99
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Customers buy this book with On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Bestseller: Secrets of Successful Writing + On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Price For Both: £12.98

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Product details

  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Fourth Estate Ltd (25 Mar 1996)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1857023838
  • ISBN-13: 978-1857023831
  • Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 240,994 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #90 in  Books > Reference > Writing > Fiction

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  • See Complete Table of Contents

Product Description

Elizabeth Buchan, The Times

"In this ambitious and fascinating book, Brayfield tackles the Zen of fiction bestsellerdom. Her premise is that stories define a puzzling world and help to defuse our more primitive fears, the most significant continuing to haunt and nourish our imaginations. This is based on a study of how myth works through cultures. From there she constructs her methods of story shaping, research, narrative techniques and, of course, style.......From the GCSE student upwards, writers and raders will enjoy this bold an illuminating tilt at unravelling the mysteries of the popular novel. Even, perhaps, the literary novelist."


The Independent on Sunday

"Admirably thought-provoking and even profound. Books cited include Gone With the Wind, Damage, The Joy Luck Club, Scott Turow, J G Ballard, The Great Gatsby and James Bond. Best of all, she demystifies writing but highlights the sheer graft."
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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Bestseller: Secrets of Successful Writing
86% buy the item featured on this page:
Bestseller: Secrets of Successful Writing 4.2 out of 5 stars (4)
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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, 23 Jul 2004
Of all the 'How to write' books I have read, Celia Brayfield's 'Bestseller' is one of the best. It is far, far more than just tips on writing a bestseller. Celia clearly knows what it takes and what it is to be a writer. Sensitively and yet candidly written, Bestseller covers all aspects of creative writing from starting as a novice to an established writer meeting a block. Brayfield inspires you to see plots, characters and enjoy writing them into a novel. Its the best compliment to those studying the excellent Open University Course on Creative Writing. Bestseller is more than how to book, it is a page turner worth reading in its own right for the understanding it gives of the process of writing novels, great characters, great novels and their place in contemporary literature.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing the subject to life, 18 April 2009
By Jonathan Carr "joncarr" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
When books are piled high in supermarkets it is difficult sometimes to recognise the skill involved in creating them. Celia Brayfield in her excellent book shows how bestselling fiction deals with humanity's biggest ideas at a level of storytelling. They provide comfort, guidance, moral codes and enjoyment but do it in the form of storytelling that has been used by humanity for centuries. She explains how these books work, using such examples as Gone With the Wind, and explores how you might write one of your own.
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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful and confidence boosting., 14 Jan 2001
By A Customer
I have published two thrillers (doing okay although not bestsellers!), but was getting stuck and de-motivated on number three. I really enjoyed Celia Brayfield's book because it helped me rebuild confidence and motivation and improve various aspects of my writing. Her tips and techniques for staying concentrated were also very helpful. And the list of 'trials' made me laugh out loud. You forgot one trial, however, Celia - DIY neighbours. Mind you, even that can set the creative juices flowing as you think up imaginative uses for sledgehammers and large quantities of cement...!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars A Fairly Interesting Writing Book But Certainly Not The Best
Celia Brayfield's "Bestseller" is fairly interesting for anyone who wants to write. Her section on retelling myths is interesting, but she seems to lose her way about half... Read more
Published on 8 Nov 2005 by A. Wright

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