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Mastering the Craft of Compelling Storytelling: Coaching from Flogging the Quill by [Ray Rhamey]

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Ray Rhamey

Mastering the Craft of Compelling Storytelling: Coaching from Flogging the Quill Kindle Edition

by Ray Rhamey (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

44 ratings

Mastering the Craft of Compelling Storytelling is
•a one-book remedy for a host of beginner-novelist ailments
•a tune-up for published authors
•a resource for editors and their clients

Tess Gerritsen, bestselling author of Die Again: “Whether you’re writing your first novel or your twentieth, this book is a must-have for any novelist. And it’s one of the most readable, entertaining books on writing out there.”

Laura Abbott, co-owner & managing editor, Amber Quill Press: “I’ve read many manuscript submissions that were near-misses. If those writers had had the benefit of this book, they’d be published right now. This is a must-read for the burgeoning story-teller and serious novelist, and it’s a necessity for editors who seek to nurture their writing clients.”

Dan Conaway, literary agent, Writer’s House: “Learn the critical art of ruthless and rigorous self-editing from a man who understands the art better than most. His practical, sensible advice really can help you become a better writer.”

Lou Aronica, editor, publisher, president of The Fiction Studio: “Writers will learn a great deal from the pages of this book. Rhamey offers the kind of advice that could make a huge difference in a writer’s prospects.”

Print length

278 pages
Language

English
Publication date

October 30, 2014
File size

2078 KB
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Product details

ASIN : B00P2TUHTS
Publisher : FtQ Press (October 30, 2014)
Publication date : October 30, 2014
Language : English
File size : 2078 KB
Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 278 pages
Lending : Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #857,299 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,409 in Writing Skill Reference (Kindle Store)
- #3,664 in Writing Skill Reference (Books)
- #5,430 in Fiction Writing Reference (Books)

Customer Reviews:
44 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		76%
4 star		20%
3 star		4%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Annajjj

My writing bible

Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2019

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This book is one of the best on the market for advice to aspiring writers. Packed with information and clever advice this book is my writing bible. I refer to it again and again when editing and as a result I have have chopped out thousands of unnecessary, and frankly boring, parts of the novel I am writing.

The author, Ray, writes about staying in the NOW of the story and it is good advice. Like many writers I am tempted to flash back and forth between the present and the past to give context but Ray points out clever ways to do this without bogging readers down in page after page of backstory.

From ways to create tension to tips on how to keep the story moving, Mastering the Craft of Compelling Storytelling is a must read for writers. I purchased the Kindle copy and after reading through a few times, I went back and highlighted notes (more than 200) as reminders. Towards the end of the book are Workouts where you can practice the skills you have learned while reading the book and I was amazed at how much more critical I'd become as a result of taking those lessons on board. I then applied those new skills to my own first page and ended up with a far tighter and more compelling opening.

I'd also highly recommend the author's website Flogging the Quill in which he provides free feedback on first pages and whether or not they have 'compelling openings'. It makes for fascinating reading, you can post your own 'turn the page' vote, and it clearly demonstrates Ray's skill at editing.

If you are interested in honing your skills as a writer this book is a must read.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Dorothea Hatch

My favorite as-ha moments included

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2015

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I could not put down "Mastering the Craft of Compelling Storytelling." An engaging read, the advice Ray Rhamey delivers is critical for writers of all levels. At the outset, he provides an important kernel of insight, "In storytelling you'r not writing to inform the reader ... you're writing to affect the reader." He asks you to involve the reader in the experience of the environment, the feelings of the character and the feelings they invoke.

Ray instructs you to streamline your writing. Get rid of "ing" phrases. Avoid "of" statements. Stay away from "started to" or "began to." Do without "with" and "without." Scrutinize your use of "as." Minimize adverbs and throw out pointless adjectives. Understand and stay consistent with your character's point of view.

My favorite as-ha moments included, "Clue the reader to the sound of a speech before it happens" and "it's clear that each sentence on the first page is charged with the responsibility to KEEP READERS MOVING FORWARD." You must create "...a need in your reader, a small unease, a hunger to know more."

What was most instructive were the "weak" writing examples followed by improved versions. Often I did not see the weaknesses in the first example, but clearly saw them in the second version.

Ray's advice has spurred me to edit, edit, edit!!

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Jajadeh

I have already read it twice.

Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2019

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I have read many how to books on writing over the years, and this ranks as one of the best. There is a sign affixed to my writing desk “My feelings will not be expressed.” I did not put it there, so it speaks to a major lack in my writing which I am trying to improve. This is an excellent book for that purpose. For ease of access, the Paperback serves better than the e-book.

Helpful

PJH

Great writing information.

Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2020

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This is a great addition to my writing and editing books. I've gleaned lots of new insights. I made notes and will refer to it often.

Helpful

Paula Cappa Reviews

One of the best 'how to' books

Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2015

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I just read this book a week ago. I found the “experiential description of action” section to be very helpful. It refocused me on how to write action scenes with flavor and depth. I have some 20 books on the craft of writing on my shelf, and as I am revising my third novel this month, I’m already grabbing it down several times as my ‘go to’ book. If you are a writer at any level, this book is a worthy addition to your craft library.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Gretchen Stone

Very Helpful

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2021

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I have over 2 dozen books on writing and I've attended many writing workshops. Ray's book was a welcome addition and actually had some new tips for me. Well worth the price.

Helpful

Easy Reader

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2018

Verified Purchase

Very helpful.

Helpful

Penny G. Walker

Very Helpful, a great resource.

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2019

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Like others who have reviewed this book, I have a shelf full of 'how to' books but I found this one especially helpful and I like the work outs at the end. Penny Walker

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

G. Russell

Five stars to this amazing book. It’s not just helpful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 30, 2018

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Five stars to this amazing book. It’s not just helpful, but it’s entertaining as well with many useful exercises and examples. I read many books on writing, and despite the fact they were helpful, often they lacked examples. Also, this book takes care of everything: writing style, self editing, and plot building. I found particularly useful the section about descriptions and the exercises at the end of the book. I definitely recommend this book to every writer.

Edge of Chaos

Rules of Writing Should Be Taken as Suggestions Than Rules

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2020

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Useful books packed with tips but if you faithfully obeyed the rules your writing would end up stilted. Excessive used by author of his writing as examples means that that this review loses one star.

Recommended but you’ll need other books on writing techniques as well.

Nikki Bond

Great resource for every aspiring novelist

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2020

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So glad I came across this book. Very useful for editing a novel or any piece of writing.

One of only two books on writing well that I re-read.

Reviewed in Canada on December 11, 2020

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Ray Rhamey has created a near perfect book on writing craft. I have read many books on writing, from plotting to dialogue and only two have ever made it on my frequent re-read list. The other is Sol Stein's "Stein on writing." The two books are very different, but if you take Ray's lessons to heart, you will come out with a better understanding of what makes good writing come alive.
He has a slew of "pearls" that make you stop and think, like coupling adverbs and adjectives together. A small point, but used judiciously, they put a snap to your writing.
I can't recommend it enough.

Amazon Customer

beyond the horizon ...

Reviewed in Australia on January 21, 2019

Verified Purchase

Is where you go with this book. It's around the bend from the beginner craft skills needed, but not making this step any more grand than the next slope - in other words, what you need to learn before you go into deep wordsmithing.
This is an excellent craft skills book, for two main reasons: one, the use of examples in the editing process, and two, the ease of language used to get the message across.
Well, that's my opinion, and that's all she wrote!

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