The Graceful Lie actively involves writers in a process that is at once personally relevant and grounded in scholarship. Through explanations, exercises and readings, it articulates the innovative ideas and practices of today's fiction writing while exposing readers to fictional subgenres that other texts mention sporadically, but don't explore in a systematic way.
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I'll be blunt: I love the book! This is the only text I've seen which distinguishes for students both the characteristics of genres such as mysteries, historical fiction, and science fiction, along with the concerns of their creators ... and it does so with intelligence, integrity, and pragmatism. The writing activities are among the best I've seen. They encourage students' process of discovery while fostering the development of specific skills. -- Berwyn Moore, Gannon University
Petracca brings an infectious enthusiasm to the book. It's obvious that he loves writing, and his style reflects that love. I think a student may grow to care about the art as much as Petracca does, just from his writing style alone. In the preface Petracca states, " ... writing The Graceful Lie turned out to be not merely a practical career move, but a life's work." It is the author's perception of his intent, I think, that gives the book its grace and power. The Graceful Lie is a kind of hymn to the art, and not many textbooks carry that kind of weight." -- Keith Coplin, Colby College
Petracca brings an infectious enthusiasm to the book. It's obvious that he loves writing, and his style reflects that love. I think a student may grow to care about the art as much as Petracca does, just from his writing style alone. In the preface Petracca states, " ... writing The Graceful Lie turned out to be not merely a practical career move, but a life's work." It is the author's perception of his intent, I think, that gives the book its grace and power. The Graceful Lie is a kind of hymn to the art, and not many textbooks carry that kind of weight." -- Keith Coplin, Colby College
From the Back Cover
The Graceful Lie actively involves writers in a process that is at once personally relevant and grounded in scholarship. Through explanations, exercises and readings, it articulates the innovative ideas and practices of today's fiction writing while exposing readers to fictional subgenres that other texts mention sporadically, but don't explore in a systematic way.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fiction Writing and Psychotherapy,
By Violet Oaklander, Ph.D. (Santa Barbara, CA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Graceful Lie: A Method for Making Fiction (Paperback)
I can say, without hisitation, that THE GRACEFUL LIE is a wonderful book. I was at first drawn and intrigued by the title. I am psychotherapist who specializes in working with children and adolescents. (I am also an author and lover of books, especially fiction.) Many of the children I work with have been accused of lying when it was clear to me that they were making up pretty imaginative stories, much like the ones that Petracca describes in his personal introduction. In my work I focus quite a bit on encouraging children, including adolescents, to develop stories out of the drawings, clay pieces, sand tray scenes they make. I see these stories as rich metaphors for their own lives and often it is through these stories that I am able to guide them to articulate significant personal information, as well as to express deep, locked up feeings. Sometimes we write down these stories. THE GRACEFUL LIE has actually reinforced and enhanced my approach to doing therapy.I guess as a psychotherapist I am biased toward the projective value of stories. Personally I know that the stories I read and hang onto are definitely ones that touch some aspect of my life and tell me quite a bit about myself. In my work with adults as well as children I have encouraged clients to tell me about their loved books, and I have encouraged them to read many. As an author I write about my work with young people and present many of the stories that children tell as examples of therapeutic work. I notice that when I tell these stories--and in the telling I inevitably incorporate some fiction--people who read them, or hear them when I give presentations, are moved and enlightened. THE GRACEFUL LIE has broadened my perspective and understanding regarding the value of stories. I loved reading the pieces Petracca chose to include. Some I had read before and read them now with new insight; others were new gifts to me. Petracca's love and talent for writing clearly come through in every one of his comments. And his writing is interesting to read. I have deep gratitude to Petracca for enriching my life through the writing of THE GRACEFUL LIE.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Graceful Lie, The: A Method for Making Fiction,
By Gordon Black (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Graceful Lie: A Method for Making Fiction (Paperback)
Moving from one genre of writing to another can be difficult: I'm a journalist wanting to write fiction. Despite consultations with other books, I always seem to get hung up on plot development for the mystery book I harbor inside my head. The Graceful Lie has helped me hatch an escape route to get those ideas out of my head and into my computer. I particularly like the writing samples Petracca provides, and his overall tone, which is light, instructive and helpful. For example, the practical guidance in chapter 4 laid out clearly how out to deal with plot, my own biggest challenge. I find that after reading these suggestions, examples, and discussions, I feel better prepared to complete my mystery novel. I'd recommend this book to anyone who's got the yearning to write good fiction.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thank you, Thank you,
By amy kern (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Graceful Lie: A Method for Making Fiction (Paperback)
The Graceful Lie has finally broken down my disabling illusions to expose the beauty and essence of writing. I've always wanted to learn to write. I've taken courses, joined writer's groups and read numerous repetitive and often discouraging books on the subject. Petracca's take on it is accessible and deeply imbued with honest appreciation and intelligence. He clearly has a firm knowledge of fiction's form and function. The book has given me new impatience to get back in the trenches of the writing endeavor. Graceful lying is an art form I can believe in and aspire to once again. I thank you Michael Petracca and the many I've recommended your book to also thank you.
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