Writing Fiction For Dummies 1st Edition

by Randy Ingermanson (Author), Peter Economy (Author)

316 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0470530702

ISBN-10: 0470530707

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A complete guide to writing and selling your novel

So you want to write a novel? Great! That’s a worthy goal, no matter what your reason. But don’t settle for just writing a novel. Aim high. Write a novel that you intend to sell to a publisher. Writing Fiction for Dummies is a complete guide designed to coach you every step along the path from beginning writer to royalty-earning author. Here are some things you’ll learn in Writing Fiction for Dummies:

Strategic Planning: Pinpoint where you are on the roadmap to publication; discover what every reader desperately wants from a story; home in on a marketable category; choose from among the four most common creative styles; and learn the self-management methods of professional writers.
Writing Powerful Fiction: Construct a story world that rings true; create believable, unpredictable characters; build a strong plot with all six layers of complexity of a modern novel; and infuse it all with a strong theme.
Self-Editing Your Novel: Psychoanalyze your characters to bring them fully to life; edit your story structure from the top down; fix broken scenes; and polish your action and dialogue.
Finding An Agent and Getting Published: Write a query letter, a synopsis, and a proposal; pitch your work to agents and editors without fear.

Writing Fiction For Dummies takes you from being a writer to being an author. It can happen—if you have the talent and persistence to do what you need to do.

Writing Fiction For Dummies

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Editorial Reviews

Review

'...an easy-to-follow guide providing step-by-step instructions...' (Writers Forum, December 2009).

From the Back Cover

Writing a novel can be a daunting process — it will challenge you, stretch you, and change you. Whether you've never written fiction before or are looking to brush up your skills and learn new techniques for crafting your words, Writing Fiction For Dummies gives you savvy advice on navigating the entire writing process and turning your ideas into a well-written, marketable book.

Establishing an ideal writing environment — discover how to set aside enough time and an ideal location for your writing
Getting ready to write fiction — pinpoint your location on the road to publication, and set your strategic and tactical goals to get your novel published
Discovering the principles of writing powerful fiction — build a realistic story world, envision unique and exciting characters, craft the layers of your plot, and grow a theme organically
Editing and polishing your story and characters — put on your editing hat and analyze your characters, scrutinize your story structure, and edit your scenes to get your novel in tip-top shape
Getting published — learn how to write query letters and book proposals that will ignite an agent's or editor's enthusiasm and help sell your novel to the right publisher

Open the book and find:

Your strategic roadmap to getting published
Help in choosing your category
Tips for building a believable plot
Guidelines for creating three-dimensional characters
Examples of storylines that spotlight a novel's high concept
Pros and cons of various publishing methods
Advice on finding the right agent and publisher

See all Editorial Reviews

Product details

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (December 2, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0470530707
ISBN-13: 978-0470530702
Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.7 x 9.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 316 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #52 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Literature > Creative Writing & Composition
- #111 in Books > Education & Teaching > Schools & Teaching > Instruction Methods > Reading & Phonics
- #113 in Books > Reference > Writing, Research & Publishing Guides > Writing > Fiction

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A great resource by Ingermanson

ByE. BurtonVINE VOICEon July 6, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I am a writer and have taken a lot of writing courses, have a lot of writing books. This was super helpful to me as I am fairly new to fiction writing. Much better than this author's, How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method. In my opinion, this book had the same info in a much more usable format.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

There are so many good writing tools and tips in this book that it ...

ByNate-Trainon March 27, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I'm a total amateur who has been writing creatively since I was a young person, and have always aspired to some day complete a novel. I used to be a fly by the seat of my pants type of writer with a binder full of unfinished ideas. Tired of this approach, I was looking for a book that would help me formulate an organized, well-structured writing process. This book delivers. There are so many good writing tools and tips in this book that it feels like having a personal mentor sitting next to my computer. I especially liked the idea of a three-act structure with a three crisis overlay. This really helped me think about the big picture and develop a formula for my novel. There are also a lot of character development questions to ask yourself, and your characters, even an opportunity to interview your characters one-by-one until they squirm and give up all of their secrets. There are tips for structuring your time and organizing your work space as well. Just and all-around great resource. It even goes so far as to give you practical advice for pitching your book and getting it published.

The book is also very entertaining and extremely accessible. There are plenty of examples from classic fiction to help you understand the concepts that are being addressed. I feel like I am learning a lot and improving daily, thanks to this book.

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A great starter for anyone

ByJenny Joneson March 1, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I ordered this book back in January of this year and loved it. It gives you the confidence you need when writing your novel. If you decide to order this dummies book, I highly recommend that you buy it because it's really helped me sharpen my thoughts about my novel. Some things are already common since because I already knew some of the things that was said, like having the patience to write a novel, and time management, etc.

It's really good, it breaks down the whole process of writing a good novel. I honestly can't wait when I finish writing my first book. I wouldn't change a thing. I would buy this book all over again.

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A comprehensive tutorial for all level of writers.

ByMultimanon September 25, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A comprehensive tutorial for all level of writers. The process of writing a novel can be confusing and disorienting, but Mr. Ingermanson and Mr. Economy take you though step by step giving time tested advice along the way. I have read several of Mr. Ingermanson books on writhing and several of his novels as well. His "Snowflake Method" takes a little getting used to but in the end it simplifies the whole process. I highly recommend using it from the beginning to build your story as apposed to having to use it afterwards to fix structural problems - as I did the first time I used it.

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Good textbook for aspiring writers

ByG. Forthon January 9, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I generally don't care for how-to books, but I will make an exception for this edition of 'Dummies.' For those of us who weren't prescient enough to take literature and writing courses in college, this book fills in a lot of gaps. It offers very good references on just about every aspect of writing and getting published. Some portions can get tedious (not a new criticism of textbooks in general) and one is left with the impression that, although there are many ways to approach writing a book, there is only one really intelligent way. All in all, this is a very helpful reference tool, and I will certainly reread portions of it in the future.

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tons of good info

ByGengenon February 23, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Covers a wide range of topics from how to craft a story readers want, to getting it published so they have the opportunity to buy it.

As with all Dummies books I found it easy to understand and follow. Plus I found it was written in a very engaging style. I felt the authors were really sharing things they'd learned the hard way through experience.

I'm not saying I believe writing or getting published is as simple as reading and following this book. But it does provide an excellent overview and pointers on how it's been accomplished by published authors.

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So far the best book on writing fiction

BystingrayVINE VOICEon November 20, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I was taking a writing class and I jump around the book depending on what was being discussed in the class. I loved this book. One of the things I got out of it was the three act structure. By following this technique it will help the writer to avoid being boring.
Also, I got from the book on trying to pack an emotional punch to your writing.The part of how important conferences are to enhance your prospect of selling was something I was not that aware of.

It goes into writing a storyline which should be one sentence. It talks a lot about character and having a character bible with goals, values, conflict and backstory. I learned the importance of a content editor and a proof reader.

In summary, I loved this book and I would recommend it to everybody.

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Randy Ingermanson and Peter Economy make a great team.

ByMariekon June 7, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is an excellent book for aspiring writers of any age. I loved the examples they gave to illustrate their points as well as the touches of humor. One flaw that kept coming up was the repetition of points. But overall, well worthwhile.

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Most recent customer reviews

I highly recommend it a the author's other helps

This book is a tremendous help for writing fiction. I am working my way through as I begin my first fiction writing endeavor. I highly recommend it a the author's other helps!

Published 9 days ago by S. L. Vernon

interesting

Like things explained simply for me, especially when I have no real person there to do just that. Just trying to learn something that has always interested me and this is being...Read more

Published 13 days ago by Philip Hogg

Good transaction!

Arrived fast, as described. Thank you!

Published 1 month ago by Mike

Good for beginners who actually want to publish

Good for beginners who actually want to publish. As for a seasoned hobby writer like me, I really feel it wasn't that useful.

Published 2 months ago by KarnerBlue

Just read more good lit..

If you need this book, you should just read more good writing like the examples in the book

Published 2 months ago by Alan Zinn

Great Tool Alone and with Snowflake Software

I really find it engaging as well as informative. I am reading it from beginning to end, but am also using it as a resource in getting my thoughts and ideas clearly written down...Read more

Published 3 months ago by E.Sasamoto

Five Stars

Informative and easy to follow. A great tool in a Writer’s toolbox.

Published 4 months ago by Amazon Customer

Four Stars

good

Published 6 months ago by don galbraith

SUPER PRACTICAL.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE ALL THE "FOR DUMMIES" BOOKS. THEY ARE THE BEST.

Published 7 months ago by l cantu

Good enough

It's okay, useful information for beginning writers.

Published 7 months ago by Marie Brack

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