Fiction Writing Demystified: Techniques That Will Make You a More Successful Writer (Paperback)

~ (Author) "During 20 years as a writer/producer or story editor on 16 different network TV series, my experience has been dramatically different from that of most..." (more)
Key Phrases: Plot Devices, The Sixteenth Man, The Maltese Falcon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A brilliantly practical primer . . . Smart, funny, dead-on accurate – like putting a down-payment on a ticket to the bestseller list." -- Linda Fairstein – bestselling novelist, author of The Bone Vault and The Deadhouse

"Absolutely devoured your book! Pages folded back, underlinings, margin notes . . . A treasure trove, brother. Fabulous." -- Jerry B. Jenkins, writer of the mega-selling Left Behind novels

"Am loving it! Very concise and clear. Tom was exactly right." -- Angela Zeman - author of The Witch and the Borscht Pearl

"Exceptional, and not just for those who’ve thought about writing a novel…Concise, authoritative, a refresher course in basics…masterful!" -- Robert S. Levinson – author of the bestselling novels Hot Paint, The John Lennon Affair and The James Dean Affair

"How refreshing! If today's novelists listened to Tom Sawyer, they'd have more readers, and better zip codes." -- Jim Kearney – Loyola Marymount Faculty/Network TV Consultant

"If you use only half of what’s in this book, your writing will be twice as good!" -- John Wirth – Screenwriter, Executive Producer of The District

"Really wonderful . . . the most specific and helpful I've ever read—not only for the beginner but for the experienced writer . . . " -- Barnaby Conrad, bestselling author of Matador/Director, Santa Barbara Writers' Conference

Product Description

Full of expert, effective advice from a producer and professional writer for 15 network television series, this book offers pragmatic techniques for constructing a compelling story and developing rich characters and extraordinary dialogue. In clear and concise language, this lively guide explains that the same methods used in the high-pressure world of writing for television can be applied to fiction storytelling in all its forms, from poetry, short stories, and novels to memoirs, stage plays, and movie scripts. Included is advice on such writing elements as building a story, constructing action sequences, creating memorable characters, developing scene structure, and avoiding cliché dialogue. Also covered are problem-solving strategies for polishing the final product.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Ashleywilde, Inc. (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962747610
• ISBN-13: 978-0962747618
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #466,179 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will lead you to success!, July 17, 2003

By	Nosferatu (Albuquerque, NM United States) - See all my reviews

Fiction Writing Demystified is a powerhouse of solid information that will definitely improve your performance as a writer. Sawyer breaks his purpose down into a simple statement: "In a very real way, this book is about troubleshooting your own writing." He provides you with the tools to become a self-editor.

Sawyer walks you through the mindset of the writer, the beginning of the story, the writing process, the construction, and creating unique dialogue. But for me, the most enlightening portion of the book is the character development chapter. This lengthy chapter makes up almost half of the book and covers aspects of character development that I had not even considered.

Sawyer's writing style is conversational and bright. It moves along at a steady pace and propels you forward. I read the entire book before stopping for coffee. It is one how-to manual that you just cannot put down. From the beginning, I was reminded of my favorite writing how-to book, On Writing, by Stephen King. Sawyer's tone and style are so close to King's. His choice of words also resembles King's. Both men reduce the most complex topics into plain, easy to understand explanations.

Fiction Writing Demystified delivers on the promise to make you a more successful writer. If you follow the instructions in this book, I am certain that you will find your manuscripts being accepted more frequently and revised very little. My only problem with any of the advice is when Sawyer warns writers to omit dialect. I have heard this wisdom dispensed by professional writers, editors, publishers, and instructors ever since I began writing. Yet, we repeatedly fall in love with the very characters that have the strongest dialect, proving that the public does tire of making believe that all people are standard Middle American. From Cyndi Lauper and Fran the Nanny to Andy Griffith and Gomer Pyle, we love dialects and variety in our characters. Unfortunately, as long as the icons of the business continue to warn writers to avoid dialects, we will be stuck with Stepford Middle American speech patterns. I would have liked to hear Sawyer stating that dialect is okay, but I am sure that he feels it would greatly reduce the marketability of work. He is providing his readers with solid advice for success.

Thomas B. Sawyer has been on the writing staff of 15 network TV series. He has written 9 series pilots and 100 episode scripts. He was the Head-writer/Producer/Showrunner of Murder She Wrote. His resume goes on and only becomes more impressive.

Reprinted from Gotta Write Network Online.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Years of Experience and a Teacher's Touch, September 28, 2003

By A Customer

Confession time: lining the dustier shelves of my workspace are largely unread books with titles like "Practical Tips for Writing Popular Fiction" and "How to Tell a Story." These were acquired in various weak moments--generally after receiving yet another rejection slip--when doubting my abilities. Always, after skimming the first few chapters, I would chastise myself for wasting another $20.00 or so, and swear never to be enticed by another such title.

So when the review copy of "Fiction Writing Demystified" hit my desk I was, to say the least, skeptical. After all, the subtitle promises "Techniques That Will Make You a More Successful Writer." Thoroughly convinced I was wasting my time, I nevertheless opened to the Preface and began reading. Quite literally, I couldn't put it down: all 195 pages (back and front matter comprise the balance) were devoured in one sitting, leaving me hungry for more.

Beginning with the first page, Mr. Sawyer offers a bounty of reasonable and specific advice, useful not only for the novice but for the accomplished writer as well. Drawing upon his years of experience as a creative writing teacher, screenwriter and novelist, he presents practical techniques for crafting a tight, gripping story with powerful characters and unique, exceptional dialogue.

This is not to imply that only fiction writers will benefit from Mr. Sawyer's book. Indeed, a better title might have been "Creative Writing Demystified," as much of what he has to say can be applied by creative writers of all stripes. The historian, the self-help guru, even the cookbook writer all must engage their readers, or "...they'll stop reading or watching or paying attention to whatever it is we're trying to say."

Perhaps the great strength of this book lies in Mr. Sawyer's ability to convey his knowledge and experience in clear, concise language, and an easy to read, conversational format. Certainly some of what Mr. Sawyer writes will seem rudimentary to the experienced writer. But it is basic in a forehead-slapping, "Of course!" way--and a little blatancy is to be expected in a book with so broad a target audience. Still, given some of the fiction I've read--and, to my chagrin, written--lately, many of us would do well to heed much of that fundamental wisdom.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Only Book You Will Ever Need., March 31, 2003

By	Mark A. Kuhn (Succasunna, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews

Extremely helpful. This is a real nuts-and-bolts guide to fiction writing, written by an expert in the field. Mr. Sawyers credits are long, and his ability to convet his knowledge is unsurpassed. Highly recommended.