Customer Reviews

Writer's Digest Handbook of Short Story Writing (Vol 1)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am an amateur writer, but have no formal training in writing. I've only written a few short stories so far and also like to write poetry. However, I haven't submitted any of my writings to a publisher yet because I felt I needed more instruction or a guideline to use to help me construct a good short story. These days, I don't I have the time or patience to read large volumes, so I am really into finding and reading great short stories and also books on writing them so I can become a better writer.

I thank my lucky stars that I found the Handbook of Short Story Writing! This handy paperback helps the reader/writer get started with a pep talk, then gives ideas on how to stay creative, and goes on from there. For instance, I'm learning how to come up with interesting story ideas, bring characters to life, master the use of dialogue, and write better descriptions, etc. I've studied one-third of the book so far, but will soon learn more about making a scene, plotting, dramatizing conflict in the short story, choosing the right viewpoint, and so on. However, I can already see how this book is giving me the basic tools and insight I have needed in order to produce an interesting and well-written short story. I highly recommend it!

Silvergal (Diane Wood)

If you are totally new to writing and have never read more than 10 articles on the craft of writing before...then this is for you.

For someone more read on the subject I only found 7 of the 42 articles worthy to keep as references/checklists to use as I'm actually doing my writing.

Try and get this book at the library or a used bookstore or ebay. Don't pay full price. Everyone will get something different from it, maybe you will get more out of it than I did.

I was seventeen.
I found the book on my grandmother's shelf. And I couldn't put it down.
In retrospect, it was probably no better than other books on writing, but it dealt with things I was interested in -- are writers born or made, transitions, revisions, the importance of reading (actually, everybody's got their own opinion on that), characterization and viewpoint. Now, it's not that I hadn't already heard or known some of this stuff, but it was just what I needed. Authors opinions and struggles, sympathy and even occasional rants. The thing was, although I was less experienced, I knew a lot of the same things in my bones, and it was good to have them confirmed.
Another thing was that sometimes the authors disagreed! This is good to know, because when you read a book by one author, if he says something that just doesn't work for you, you think there's something wrong with you. But when you see equally sucessful authors disagreeing over things (outlines, no outlines), it can be rather freeing. Keep in mind that it was written in the 80s so it isn't going to be market help to you. But the advice is still pretty fresh, for the most part.
In short, I recommend this as a good read, interesting, informative, and fun (if you're seventeen, and you find it at your grandmother's, and you can't put it down...)
She gave me that book, before I left. I still have it.
Trust me, it's worth a lot more than 48 cents.

Each chapter in the book offers practical advice on writing from a variety of authors. This is not a workbook. Instead, you can read an author's opinion on specific topics. It is a good book for any type of fiction writing because the principles fit all genres. Most of the chapters have been printed in Writer's Digest Magazine or other Writer's Digest publication.

Each chapter in the book offers practical advice on writing from a variety of authors. This is not a workbook. Instead, you can read an author's opinion on specific topics. It is a good book for any type of fiction writing because the principles fit all genres. Most of the chapters have been printed in Writer's Digest Magazine or other Writer's Digest publication.

If you are novice writer and serious about writing short stories, this is THE book, you will keep nearby. As a novice writer, I have purchased many books on the subject of writing -- some good, some not so good. This is a good one. By the way, if you haven't discovered this fact yet, "Writer's Digest Books" will help you develop as a writer better than anything available. "Handbook of Short Story Writing" is a superb example of their excellent resources. It will not lead you by the hand, step by step, through the process of (for example) "Creating a Lovable Character", but that's not the format of a handbook. What it will do, is give you the processes to help you focus on "Creating a Lovable Character" with an article written by a well-known, SUCCESSFUL, author. If you like having a room full of PUBLISHED AUTHORS for advice, purchase this book! I paid only ONE PENNY here, for my copy. The shipping fee was less than the gas it would have taken to drive to the bookstore.

This book will certainly help me write my short story if I can ever find time to do it.

1) Very similar to my comments on Volume 1 = totally for novices and those brand spanking new to reading articles on the craft of writing

2) I found 8 of the 33 articles to be VERY well done and useful as future references/checklists as I do my writing

3) Overall I liked the quality of the articles in Vol II more so than Vol I

4) A lot of the information in these articles/advice will cirulcate back through your subscription to Writer's Digest Magazine. Meaning you can get a subscription or get this book at the library, ebay, or used book store.

This is an out-of-print book that I needed for a course. I recieved it in nearly brand new condition, and I use it every day. If you are a writer, this book is a great tool.