Dwight Swain - Techniques of the Selling Writer

Pros: The definitive book for anyone wanting to write commercial fiction

Cons: May be hard to find. Try ordering it on line.

Review: In Techniques of the Selling Writer, Dwight V. Swain actually teaches exactly what you need to know to become a successful fiction writer. Most successful authors know about this book and consider it the "Bible" of writing. It should be in...

Pros: Gives a good solid base from which to begin a fiction writing career.

Cons: At first some of the concepts not easily grasped.

Review: When I started to take creative writing classes, specifically in the romance genre this is what I was told about this particular book. Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain is the "bible" used by writers and most importantly...

Pros: reliable, generally true

Cons: perhaps a little rigid

Review: This book is dense in its guidelines for writing fiction that sells. It is one of the most useful books on how to write a novel. Swain walks the reader through the pitfalls and choices of characterization and plotting more thoroughly than in any other...