The Elements of Storytelling: How to Write Compelling Fiction [Paperback]

Peter Rubie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0471130451 | ISBN-13: 978-0471130451 | Edition: 1

"I recommend this book to all aspiring novelists." --Kent Carroll, Publisher and Executive Editor Carroll & Graf

"I would not hesitate to recommend The Elements of Storytelling to aspiring writers, or to better published ones who need to be reminded of the essentials of the craft.

(That's all of us, by the way!)" --Robert Goddard

Author of In Pale Battalions and Full Circle

"Should be on every writer's bookshelf right between The Elements of Style and the thesaurus." --Tom Colgan, Senior Editor Avon Books

"A wonderful book that every aspiring professional writer should own." --Matthew Bialer, literary agent William Morris Agency

Telling a story is one of the most basic--and difficult--challenges a fiction writer must face. Acclaimed author, editor, and literary agent Peter Rubie knows that challenge firsthand. By sharing his creative and critical expertise, he gives you the helpful advice you need to master the art of storytelling, including how to:
* Create compelling characters and strong plotlines
* Pace a story and develop a coherent structure and style
* Refine your technique with thought-provoking exercises that hone your storytelling skills
* Anticipate the realities of getting your work published--how to make it happen while maintaining confidence and motivation

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Peter Rubie's "holistic" approach to fiction writing is simple without being simplistic. Rubie addresses issues of character, viewpoint, dialogue, pacing, etc., but his emphasis is on their contribution to the big picture. "The art of the storyteller," he says, "is figuring out a story. The craft of the storyteller is working out the best way to tell that story." The Elements of Storytelling addresses both art and craft. For the former, Rubie presents exercises throughout the book aimed at developing story ideas, creating characters, and the like. For the latter, he offers up a generous helping of common sense. "Start the scene as near the action as possible," he recommends. "Ideally, everything in the story should have more than one function." And, "When writing dialogue, keep in mind that people rarely explain themselves." One of Rubie's most interesting pieces of advice involves the use of the theories behind method acting to get inside one's characters and bring them to life. "Without admitting to and exploring your own dark nature," he says, "you will never successfully understand it in others. I am not suggesting you must become a Nazi or a cannibalistic serial killer in order to successfully create them as fictional characters. I am suggesting that you try to find that part of yourself that, under certain circumstances, you could imagine going berserk and committing singularly antisocial acts." --Jane Steinberg

From Scientific American

Peter Rubie lends his extensive experience as an author, book doctor, editor, and agent to this thorough and thought-provoking examination of the craft -- and art-- of writing. Rarely has such a wide perspective been brought to that hoary subject. The result is a refreshing and inspired book of insight and advice.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 1 edition (December 29, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471130451
• ISBN-13: 978-0471130451
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,089,653 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Much to consider..., January 16, 2002

By 

Giselle Springer-Douglas "Child of the World" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elements of Storytelling: How to Write Compelling Fiction (Paperback)

Rubie gives the reader many tidbits to consider and even a few morsels of meat, but not much in the way of consistent clarity. He concludes that good writing cannot be taught and that one should bury their heads in bestsellers and classics to glean the elements of style (good advice, of course). If this is the case though, then why bother writing a book on storytelling? Nonetheless, Rubie does provide good advice on how to dramatize sequences and on using descriptors sparingly, pointing to both classic and contemporary novels as examples. He points frequently to a book called "The Elements of Style" (a classic and "must have" in the writing world) and suggests that a copy be kept on every writer's desk. Perhaps his strongest advice on writing is that one should not be deceived about the strength of their own writing or the possibility of writing a blockbuster hit.

Some of Rubie's advice becomes a tad contradictory, as he seems to eschew certain types of creativity in favor of plain, bare bones prose while still encouraging writers to hold true to their own writing style. According to the author, writing is just plain hard, and in some cases, darn near a feat of miraculous and other-worldly genius. I suppose this is meant to underline the fact that good writer's are born and nutured, not bred. In short, the author leaves the reader with the understanding that there is no formula or magic for producing good writing, all that can be done is to grasp on to an understanding of the rules of writing (which, under certain circumstances, can be broken) and hope for the best.

Rubie's book does provide grounded, practical advice and excellent examples but it certainly falls short of inspiration or motivation; two things most writer's desperately seek. If you are looking for a book that will *both* inspire and inform, I do not recommend this one. For that, look to "How to Write & Sell Your First Novel" by Oscar Collier. At the very least, read Collier's book first. Rubie's book *does* provide excellent excercises for honing your craft; that alone makes the book an acceptable read.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, complete, compelling and useful, July 7, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elements of Storytelling: How to Write Compelling Fiction (Paperback)

When I read this book I thought it was one of the best writing books. Now I've read a few more, but I still rank this one very high. Peter Rubie's writing is clear and straightforward. It goes to the point. He explains the basics (and not so basics) of all the building blocks of a story. From the synopsis to plot to description and setting, to dialogue, it covers a lot of stuff and I found it very useful.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buy it., November 30, 2003

By 

"rextro" (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elements of Storytelling: How to Write Compelling Fiction (Paperback)

If you've immersed yourself (or plan to) in writing fiction, then reading this book is a great example of a resource you should definitely read along the way. It's extremely helpful and will probably act mainly as a confirmation of many things you've already known or believed. The title is a daring reference to the classic 'Elements of Style' but Rubie appears to pull it off. It's well worth the money you'll spend.