The Art of Compelling Fiction [Hardcover]

Christopher T. Leland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998

Christopher Leland demonstrates transforming ordinary stories into unforgettable ones. Writers are given new understanding of how to separate the one ingredient that propels a reader through a short story or novel.'

Product Details

• Hardcover: 214 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884910300
• ISBN-13: 978-1884910302
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #578,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not to Be Missed, January 12, 2010

By 

J. George (Lusby, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Compelling Fiction (Hardcover)

I have been writing fiction, off and on, for many years. When I was younger, I used to dream about becoming a published author, but the day-to-day activities of life in the real world prevented me from following up on this aspiration. After reading this book, I have decided to dust off that dream and start anew.

While I was already familiar with many of the concepts and elements presented in the book, it was how the author discussed them that will stay in my memory for a very long time. What strikes me about this book is how different it is from all of the countless other how-to-write books I've read before.

In this book, the author shows me how to combine the various elements and techniques of writing compelling fiction, rather than telling me. Since showing more and telling only when necessary is something we aspiring writers are told to do in so many books like this, it astounds me that so many authors of other how-to-write books rarely follow their own advice!

Leland shows you what he means by peppering the book with excerpts from works published by numerous authors in a variety of genres, carefully selecting each passage to illustrate his points. While other authors will occasionally do this too, they just don't do it as well, in my opinion. In addition to this, Leland uses another technique to clarify his points, and to drive those points home. He does this by first asking you to imagine that you have witnessed something quite ordinary, perhaps some bicyclists passing you on a sidewalk while a man gets out of a parked car, or perhaps a conversation between two mechanics in a garage somewhere. He then asks you to consider what stories might be in progress that we didn't notice.

Maybe the man is preparing to meet his girlfriend? Maybe the mechanic is talking about a hot date he's looking forward to? Maybe the man is John, a person we know who's had a rocky time in life. You know, John--that guy who lived next to your sister? The one whose girlfriend slit her wrists and died on his front lawn? By starting down these story lines one hypothetical at a time, the author made me feel like I was a co-writer, and that I was the one testing out possible plot developments, or that I was the one deciding whether John's diction should have a southern accent, or whether the dead girlfriend from his past should rear her ugly head through flashback or exposition. I felt very much connected with this process, and was surprised to see how much I cared about the story in progress.

Leland makes the reader feel as though he were writing the story. Not only is this a difficult thing to pull off, but it is an extremely effective way to let his instruction sink into the brains of his readers. If, as a child, you were fortunate enough to have a teacher who taught you something without making you consciously realize that you were learning, then you understand what I am talking about here. This book, and its author, are good teachers. I have absorbed quite a lot of what the author wanted to convey, and I think you will too.

If I had anything negative to add, it would be this: I wish the book was easier to come by! After borrowing this book from my local library, I headed to the book stores to buy my own copy, but none were to be found. The book is probably out of print, so instead of crossing my fingers and hoping for a new release, I bought my copy here. If you want this book, I wouldn't wait too long...

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best, December 8, 1999

By 

Paul Hefka II - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Compelling Fiction (Hardcover)

This is one of the best books written about writing fiction. It's easy to read and understand. The exercises are priceless and extremely helpful. The author talks to you rather than at you. If you're going to be a writer, this is a book you should definately read.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a very useful guide, August 9, 2001

By 

Clark Iverson (Royal Oak, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Compelling Fiction (Hardcover)

I have used The Art of Compelling Fiction in workshops and college courses. Since I've found it useful for my own writing, I have recommended it unhesitatingly to quite a few of my students.

It does what a good reference book should do, which is to resolve an avalanche of information into coherent order, and it does so in conversational prose. That ain't too shabby.