Writing Fiction Step by Step (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The best source of fiction is the zone in which knowledge and the lack of knowledge meet, where you wonder..." (more)
Key Phrases: exercise twelve, exercise fifteen, skeptical point, All the Pretty Horses, World War, Carole Maso (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Many writers pooh-pooh the concept of writing exercises. Exercises seem perhaps an unnatural way to approach a seemingly organic process, and it can be hard to see them amounting to anything more than, well, exercises. While the great writers of the past may not have bothered with writing exercises, says Josip Novakovich in his introduction to Writing Fiction Step by Step, "they exercised by writing letters and by keeping journals and jotting down sketches." In other words, the telephone has made us lazy, and someone has to prod us into shape. So Novakovich proposes an "exercise plan" sure to stretch every fiction-writing muscle you've got. His 200-plus exercises are arranged by fictional element--starting with ideas, character, and plot moving through scene, dialogue, image, etc., and landing, finally, on "putting it all together." Each assignment is accompanied by a description of its purpose, a handful of writing tips, and a sort of teacher's checklist (about the ocean, for instance, he asks, "Where is the salt in your description?"). The exercises are playful, unusual, and meant to make your imaginative noodle dance. And don't worry--Novakovich doesn't want you to toil for naught; throughout the book he suggests ways in which you can combine various exercises to get something like a real piece of fiction going. In fact, he says, connecting the exercises might stimulate your fiction in surprising ways. After all, "putting different images together is the basic element of imagination." --Jane Steinberg

Product Description

This series of more than 200 connected writing exercises assists writers to build short stories or novels. It provides examples and lessons for plot ideas, characters to help shape narratives.'

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Story Press; 1st edition (August 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884910351
• ISBN-13: 978-1884910357
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #85,206 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A writing course, January 9, 2001

By	Jennifer M. Macleod "yiddishe supermama" (Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

There are too many writing books out there for me to buy all the ones I like -- mostly, I just keep going back to the library again and again.

This one, though, I borrowed from the library and renewed it a couple of times before I realized I wasn't ever going to want to give it back. The next day, I returned it to the library and stopped in at the bookstore to buy my very own copy.

This book is very methodical, a little like taking a writing course on your own, at home. If you take Novakovich's suggestions seriously, keeping all the exercise goals in mind, you ought to have more than a few marvellous creations of your own by the time you're done.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was a lengthy inclusion of a story of his own. It is somewhat enlightening, but takes up too much space for what is gained, in my opinion.

You'll need motivation to get through this book, but Novakovich makes it easy, building on previous exercises to craft original, imaginative finished and semi-finished fiction pieces. And the feeling of accomplishment when you emerge at the end of the book is well worth the purchase price and the work you put into completing it.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gathering of storyteller's secrets!, December 11, 1998

By A Customer

What a gathering of storyteller's secrets! And they are revealed with such visionary clarity, energy, and quiet intelligence. I am convinced that anyone who undertakes these exercises will be rewarded with the discipline and sensitivity to write good fiction.

This book is not meant for straight reading. One must exercise. One must write. Yes. Keep it in your lap as you start your prolonged apprenticeship with this book.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book, February 10, 2000

By	Dirahl (Abingdon, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This book is excellent for those who are interested in writing fiction. I think it would make a good book for a high school or college course as well--so few good ones exist. This book, while written in a flowing, 'non-textbook', easily understood style, is more informing than many textbooks I have seen on the subject.

It is well organized--even if you have some writing experience, you might still find yourself flipping through the chapters when you have a question on, per se, plot or characterization. And best of all, it endorses learning by doing, including several exercises at the end of each chapter.