A Writer's Guide to Fiction (Writer's Compass) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "THE MOMENT YOU lay down your first words of fiction, you become a magician like David Copperfield..." (more)
Key Phrases: mattering moment, story yearning, transitory truth, Special World, Harry Potter, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The second book in the Writer's Compass series from professional writing instructor Elizabeth Lyon offers both aspiring and established authors the fundamentals of writing and selling a great novel or short story. In addition to the basics of characterization, plot, pacing, and theme, A Writer's Guide to Fiction also features a plan for revising fiction, a guide to marketing, samples of cover and query letters, and methods of honing the writing craft.

About the Author

Elizabeth Lyon, author of several books on the craft of writing, has been a contributor to The Writer and The Writer's Digest and is a mentor, editor, and teacher for many writers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039952858X
• ISBN-13: 978-0399528583
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #650,989 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical tips for beginnng writers, December 12, 2004

By	Kelly JamesEnger (Downers Grove, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I used Elizabeth Lyons' book, The Sell-your-Novel Toolkit, after I'd finished my first novel. Her samples of query letters and synopses helped me sell my first (and second) novels. Now I recommend it to students when I teach fiction writing. Her new book, A Writer's Guide to Fiction, is loaded with practical tips and strategies for new writers. It takes the mystery out of writing fiction, and has lots of good examples, lists and suggestions for would-be short story novelists and short story writers. I'll recommend this one as well.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better a GPS than a compass, August 24, 2005

By	Righteous Reader (Paducah, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This book covers everything, though it lost me in the 6 Sherpas chapter. It should have more examples and explanation of concepts from that point on.

A Writer's Guide to Fiction should serve anyone well, with many careful re-readings, but if a second edition were released with better examples and more thorough explanation I'd dump my copy in a minute and buy the new edition. The 6 Sherpas chapter could have been broken up into 3 chapters, and the book should be closer to 500 pages.

Overall this is a must-have book for fiction writers, with content not available anywhere else and almost equal treatment of short story and novel writing with no bias against genre fiction. Be prepared to read it much more than once.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for fiction writers, November 29, 2007

By	OkieScribe "OkieScribe" (Tulsa OK) - See all my reviews

I actually started with Lyon's "Sell Your Novel Tool Kit", but quickly realized I had not reached that point with my novel yet. So I backtracked and bought this book, which I have found to be incredibly helpful. Her approach is systematic and rational, while still allowing for the creative and inspired. This is by far the best of all the books I've read on writing fiction, especially novels, and it has in some ways completely changed my approach. She manages to be supportive and inspiring without getting sappy, and her experience as an editor makes her insights especially penetrating and pertinent.

Though Ms. Lyon generously recommends other books on fiction techniques within the text of her own, this title is the one absolute must-have for serious novelists. Its companion title on selling a novel is likewise highly recommended and required.

Thank you, Elizabeth Lyon, for your invaluable guidance!