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Sol Stein

Stein On Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies Paperback – January 25, 2000

by Sol Stein (Author)

537 ratings

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Stein on Writing provides immediately useful advice for all writers of fiction and nonfiction, whether they are newcomers or old hands, students or instructors, amateurs or professionals. As the always clear and direct Stein explains here, "This is not a book of theory. It is a book of usable solutions--how to fix writing that is flawed, how to improve writing that is good, how to create interesting writing in the first place." With examples from bestsellers as well as from students' drafts, Stein offers detailed sections on characterization, dialogue, pacing, flashbacks, trimming away flabby wording, the so-called "triage" method of revision, using the techniques of fiction to enliven nonfiction, and more.

Print length

320 pages
Language

English
Publication date

January 25, 2000
Dimensions

6.31 x 0.9 x 9.12 inches
ISBN-10

0312254210
ISBN-13

978-0312254216
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"The best reading experiences," says Sol Stein, "defy interruption." With Stein's assistance, you can grab your reader on page 1 and not let go until "The End." Stein--author of nine novels (including the bestselling The Magician) and editor to James Baldwin, W.H. Auden, and Lionel Trilling--offers "usable solutions" for any writing problem you may encounter. He is authoritative and commanding--neither cheerleader nor naysayer. Instead, he rails against mediocrity and demands that you expunge it from your work. Perhaps the concept of scrutinizing every modifier, every metaphor, every character trait sounds like drudgery. But with Stein's lively guidance, it is a pleasure. Stein recommends that you brew conflict in your prose by giving your characters different "scripts." He challenges you, in an exercise concerning voice, to write the sentence you want the world to remember you by. He uses an excerpt from E.L. Doctorow to demonstrate poorly written monologue and a series of Taster's Choice commercials as an example of dialogue that works. Stein's bottom line is that good writing must be suspenseful. Your job, says Stein, "is to give readers stress, strain, and pressure. The fact is that readers who hate those things in life love them in fiction." --Jane Steinberg

Review

“The best book on writing that I have read . . . The tips, shortcuts, and plentiful examples of good writing versus bad cannot fail to every writer, no matter at what stage he finds himself.” ―Barnaby Conrad, author of Matador and Learning to Write Fiction from the Masters

“Stimulating . . . Offers a banquet of savvy advice. Unlike Anne Lamott, et al., Stein aims not to help his readers wrestle with writerly anguish; rather, he gets on the page, citing examples from writers famous and fledgling, closely analyzing first sentences, creation of character, plotting, and dialogue . . . Stein concentrates more on fiction--point of view and the creation of love scenes--but his advice on such issues as self-editing and choosing a title applies also to nonfiction. A section on nonfiction contains worthy remarks about adapting fictional techniques (suspense, visual particularity, etc.).” ―Publishers Weekly

“This book can jump-start anyone's creativity. Highly recommended for all writing collections.” ―Library Journal

“My publisher Sol Stein was my producer, and editor Sol Stein was my director. Stein saw what I didn't think possible.” ―Elia Kazan

“[Stein] went over my manuscript with an ifallible eye for the soft spots in my prose, giving me one of the best editorial readinds I've ever had.” ―Lionel Trilling

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (January 25, 2000)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312254210
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312254216
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.1 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.31 x 0.9 x 9.12 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #50,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #32 in Research Reference Books
- #53 in Authorship Reference
- #107 in Writing Skill Reference (Books)

Customer Reviews:
537 ratings

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Sol Stein

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5 star		82%
4 star		11%
3 star		3%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

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Top reviews from the United States

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CounterCulture

Yet another advocates for sameness in the 21st century.

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2019

Verified Purchase

The American literature does not happen in a vacuum, but, thank goodness, on the world stage. Stein seems oblivious to the fact that by following the advice of editors like him, 90% of American fiction reads like a B rated movie told shot by shot, and this is not literature compared with what still gets published elsewhere across the globe.
As someone who received hundreds of ARCs at Book Expo America I was astounded by the SAMENESS and MEDIOCRITY of 80 percent of what gets -- so difficultly -- published. I often had bags of books and nothing I would like to read., all coming from big publishers.

31 people found this helpful

Helpful

Paula Cappa Reviews

Writing for the Reader

Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2020

Verified Purchase

“The pleasures of writer and reader are interwoven.” This is the essential thought that is threaded throughout this book for both fiction and nonfiction. Many writers often fail to focus on the reader while they are in the process of writing. Stein instructs the writer how to make “the reader,” as he puts it, “King.” I probably have 30 writing books on my shelf and this one will go front and center for easy reach because it’s a perfect reference book on how to fix your writing problems, flaws, and weaknesses. The content is a jump-start for your creativity and an inspiration to improve the quality of your work. I liked Stein’s perspectives on “keeping the story visible and on stage” to give readers a sense of immediacy. He addresses at length character desire and motivation and how that creates plot that will keep the reader in suspense. His explanation on the omniscient voice and the pitfalls will help any writer who wants to develop a memorable narrator. Backstory, flashbacks, show vs. tell, and revisions are instructive chapters that will show writers their weak spots and how to correct them. And his ending? Stein’s Ten Commandments for Writers. Here’s one of them: “Thou shalt not vent thy emotions onto the reader, for thy duty is to evoke the reader’s emotions, and in that most of all lies the art of the writer.” The literary values here are irresistible. Highly recommended. Paula Cappa is an avid book reviewer and an award-winning supernatural mystery author.

13 people found this helpful

Helpful

David Temple

All in all, it's a swell, engaging and rapid read that's chock full of useful insight. It's a Must Have for any author!

Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2018

Verified Purchase

Holy Stein! When's the last time you picked up a book and learned something within the first 15 or 20 minutes? This book did that for me.

In fact, I was scribbling and highlighting like a nine year old within minutes of cracking the paperback.

Biggest Take away? His description on SHOW ME DON'T TELL ME is the best I have read to date.

Are you a writer? Then, stop what you're doing, and order this book today. It will open your eyes and mind in a fresh way. Oh, before you think I'm an exaggerator, let me say that there are a few spots where I glazed over and started skimming. But that was because he was making a point, telling you the point he was going to make, then made, and reiterated the point he had made.

All in all, it's a swell, engaging and rapid read that's chock full of useful insight. It's a Must Have for any author!

Stein On Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies

18 people found this helpful

Helpful

Joe LeDux

The best book on writing in the world, from a man well qualified to write it

Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2018

Verified Purchase

If you have ambitions of being a novelist or other type of writer, this is the very first book you should read, and make it the bedrock of you craft. There are simply no better books on writing out there. This book covers both fiction and nonfiction writing, but as the author says the principles of writing well are pretty much the same in both genres. Stein (author) has an additional instructional that addresses fiction writing only, called How to Grow a Novel.

Author's qualifications? He had his own publishing company for decades, and he edited and published some of the greatest novels of the 20th century. When he finally turned to writing his own fiction, every title he put out was acclaimed and a best seller. There are no better qualifications than that for being a writing coach. If you've always wanted to try your hand at writing, this book will help you get up from the couch and sitting at your desk instead.

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Colin Braidford

Nope

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

I like the nuggets of true genius in this book but intensely dislike the pomposity of this author. I found it difficult to endure the continual self-promotion of his writing, the me,me,me attitude. I've no doubt Sol Stein is a truly talented and insightful teacher but my goodness does he want us all to know it. I've purchased both his books on Kindle, my only hope is that the next is easier to wade through. Nope, not for me mister Stein, writing guru or no but hey, no hard feelings :)

5 people found this helpful

SK

Every writer should read this at least once

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 14, 2016

Verified Purchase

This is my second time studying this book, and it won't be the last. Sol Stein is a master of his craft, and even applying a fraction of what he teaches has to improve any kind of writing. The examples he uses to demonstrate his points are inspiring. Some may be from his own novels, but that only proves he practises what he teaches.
This is not a book about grammar but about style and making an emotional impact with the reader. It makes you reconsider every word you wrote and motivates you to make it sparkle.
I've read many books on writing, but if I could keep just one, this would be it.

5 people found this helpful

Mrs Doreen H Thatcher

Reading like a writer

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2020

Verified Purchase

This is one of the best books on how to write I've read. The advise to re-read a book that grabbed from the beginning and study it, gave me a shot in the arm regarding show not tell. No matter how many times I'd heard those words before, until Stein it hadn't gelled.

One person found this helpful

L. Quinn

and this is a wonderful book for writers

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2018

Verified Purchase

Heard about this is a review for another book. I can't remember which one now, but I teach, and this is a wonderful book for writers. Full of practical advice and very readable.

One person found this helpful

Kay

The Master Editor has spoken...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 14, 2017

Verified Purchase

An outstanding book of information for Writer's. By far the best I've read.
I particularly like the chapter that covers the differences between literary fiction and commercial reads. I also like the fact that he gives suggestions and then an example, allowing you to see the effects of his techniques.

2 people found this helpful

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