Telling the Tale: The African-American Fiction Writer's Guide [Paperback]

Angela Benson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2000

Finally, a writing guide for the African-American writer that's as inspiring as it is instructive.

In this one-of-a-kind guide, Angela Benson offers step-by-step guidance for black writers--from getting started to revising complete drafts--for anyone who has a tale to tell. Featuring tools, techniques, and illustrative examples from the best black writers of our day, this book will help writers learn to:

find their own style
create characters readers will care about
capture voices from their community
write natural-sounding dialogue
mine personal experience for detail
weave a compelling story
Includes exercises, worksheets, examples, and step-by-step instructions, as well as inspiring advice
and more...

Telling the Tale also includes helpful exercises, worksheets, and tips to show African-American writers how to perfect their craft.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Angela Benson has written seven books and a novella, and has given numerous workshops and presentations on writing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425170543
• ISBN-13: 978-0425170540
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #829,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Angela Benson is a bestselling, award-winning author of 12 novels and two novellas. Her work has been published by six major publishers, including Harlequin, Tyndale House, Berkeley and HarperCollins. She holds a doctorate in instructional technology from the University of Georgia as well as math and engineering degrees from Spelman College and Georgia Tech, respectively. Dr. Benson is an associate professor of educational technology at the University of Alabama.

Website: http://www.angelabenson.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AngelaBensonBooks

Recently republished eBooks by Genre

Inspirational Romance
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Nonfiction
Telling Your Tale: A Beginner's Guide to Writing Fiction for Print and eBook, 2nd edition
Telling Your Tale Workbook: A Beginner's Guide to Writing Fiction for Print and eBook, 2nd edition

Complete Book List by Genre

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Inspirational Romance
Abiding Hope (Genesis House series, Book 2)
Awakening Mercy (Genesis House series, Book 1)

Nonfiction
Telling the Tale: The African American Fiction Writer's Guide, 1st edition
Telling Your Tale: A Beginner's Guide to Writing Fiction for Print and eBook, 2nd edition
Telling Your Tale Workbook: A Beginner's Guide to Writing Fiction for Print and eBook, 2nd edition

Contemporary Series Romance
A Family Wedding
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Contemporary Single Title Romance
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Angela tells it like it is about the craft of writing, April 13, 2001

By 

Dera R Williams (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Telling the Tale: The African-American Fiction Writer's Guide (Paperback)

Angela Benson, romance and inspirational author, gives here a blueprint for African Americans who want to be successful in writing. Why a fiction writing guide for African Americans? Ms. Benson says "As minorities in American culture, blacks are in a postiton to provide social commentary on the system, the way things are". That said, she strongly stresses how important it is as a minority to understand how the majority operates.

To that end she offers section on plot, character development, POV, revisions, dialogue, and a host of exercises to hone your craft. With this guide anyone, no matter what color, gets an excellent view of the ins and out of writing fiction that is believable and marketable. Don't Guess, Research- this chapter is invaluable in that she makes the point that one should make the library a place with which to be familiar and to make the librarian a close friend. Think you can get everything from the Internet? Think again. Minute details such as dates and particular events can give your story authencity or show you up as being careless.

This is a good resource for any fiction writer, black or white. Thank you, Angela, for this gift.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, August 23, 2000

By 

B. Ford author of Island Magic (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Telling the Tale: The African-American Fiction Writer's Guide (Paperback)

Angela Benson is a talented writer. Her books speak for them selves. It is any wonder that she would write an excellent guide for new and experienced writers? Absolutely not! Please take time to check out her work if you are interested in some day building your own writing career. Her ideas will give a large step up that long and difficult climb to becoming a published author. I believe Telling The Tale is worth your time and investment.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Valuable Tools for AA writers!, October 6, 2007

By 

Writer4u (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Telling the Tale: The African-American Fiction Writer's Guide (Paperback)

As a budding African American writer myself, this book was like a breath of fresh air!!! Ms. Benson outlines everything so simplistically and leaves nothing to the imagination. This book is thorough and easy to read. The exercises are very helpful. I'm not quite finished with the entire book, but I have enjoyed it so far. Thanks, Ms. Benson, for looking out for the underdog!