The essential guide to writing fiction that works - from a USA Today bestselling author who has taught more than 100,000 students.
Stuck on your novel? Not sure why your writing feels flat? How to Fix Your Novel gives you the tools to diagnose and fix the most common problems in fiction writing.
You'll learn the crucial difference between plot and story - the single most important concept in fiction. You'll master three-act structure, scene and sequel, conflict, suspense, mystery, dialogue, viewpoint, voice, and pacing. Each chapter includes practical exercises ("Test Drives") so you can immediately apply what you learn.
Whether you're struggling with a work in progress or planning your first novel, this book shows you:
- How to build characters readers care about
- The checkpoint structure that guarantees your story works dramatically
- Techniques for writing big - metaphors, showing vs. telling, dialogue that sings
- How to diagnose and fix pacing problems
- A complete manuscript evaluation checklist
- Practical guidance on getting published
Steve Alcorn has spent twenty-five years teaching fiction writing through the online learning programs of more than 1,500 colleges and universities worldwide. His techniques have helped over 100,000 aspiring authors structure, write, and publish their novels.
Ready to fix your novel? Start reading now.
Visit writingacademy.com to explore online writing courses with personal instructor feedback.
Related Subjects
Language Arts