The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young WritersThis classic guide, from the renowned novelist and professor, has helped transform generations of aspiring writers into masterful writers—and will continue to do so for many years to come. John Gardner was almost as famous as a teacher of creative writing as he was for his own works. In this practical, instructive handbook, based on the courses and seminars that he gave, he explains, simply and cogently, the principles and techniques of good writing. Gardner’s lessons, exemplified with detailed excerpts from classic works of literature, sweep across a complete range of topics—from the nature of aesthetics to the shape of a refined sentence. Written with passion, precision, and a deep respect for the art of writing, Gardner’s book serves by turns as a critic, mentor, and friend. Anyone who has ever thought of taking the step from reader to writer should begin here. |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - DanielSTJ - LibraryThingThis was a great guide to writing with many lessons that I think would appeal to younger, and even more advanced, writers of all kinds. There is much to learn and Gardner manages to convey what he ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - RodRaglin - LibraryThingDuties, responsibilities and the author's obligation to tell the truth The Art of Fiction - Notes on Craft for Young Writers By John Gardner One of the most interesting things about this book is how ... Read full review
Contents
| 3 | |
Basic Skills Genre and Fiction as Dream 17 | 17 |
Interest and Truth 39 | 39 |
Metafiction Deconstruction and Jazzing Around 82 | 82 |
Common Errors 97 | 97 |
Exercises 195 | 195 |
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Common terms and phrases
achieve action aesthetic artist basic become beginning believe called character choice choose close comes common conventional course create critical detail discover distract dream effect elements emotion example exercise experience fact feel fiction force give given hand happens Helen human idea imitation important instance interest kind leads least less literary look means metafiction mind moved narrative nature never notice novel objective once opening perhaps person play plot point of view possible present problems question reader realistic reality reason rhythm rules scene seems sense sentence serious short simply situation sometimes story student style symbolic tale teacher technique tell things thought tion traditional treat true truth trying turn understand usually values voice writer young
Bibliographic information
| Title | The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers |
| Author | John Gardner |
| Edition | reprint |
| Publisher | Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2010 |
| ISBN | 0307756718, 9780307756718 |
| Length | 240 pages |
| Subjects | › › Language Arts & Disciplines / Literacy Language Arts & Disciplines / Style Manuals Language Arts & Disciplines / Writing / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |