11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
The Bible in Popular Fiction Writing for all Genres
Date of Review: Jan 13, 2000
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 editors to ensure that a certain dramatic structure is followed throughout a manuscript.
Until I read this book I was more or less the blind leading the blind, living in my fictional world and traveling aimlessly through this world, all the while spinning my wheels. Who knew?
I don't call it a coincidence that after implementing some of the stuff derived from this book that I now have a novel coming out in March, another possible sale with another editor. Or that I was able to sell an audio script and short story.
Certain elements are required to write a solid story. This books tells us what they are and explains how to go about implementing them in order to create well-written well-developed stories. For example Scene and sequel are one of the crucial elements a fiction writer should learn.
It is not an easy book to go through and the beginner might have a difficult time understanding some of the concepts. Which is why it would be helpful to take a writing workshop where the instructor bases her lessons on this book.
This is not a book to be digested in one day, one month, or even one year. I'm still learning from it. I'm still trying to digest some of the concepts presented. Which may be one reason it is referred to as the Bible in the writing industry.
Wholly recommended for anyone starting out in this area.
