Making Shapely Fiction

by Jerome Stern

Book Overview

Here is a book about the craft of writing fiction that is thoroughly useful from the first to the last page--whether the reader is a beginner, a seasoned writer, or a teacher of writing. You will see how a work takes form and shape once you grasp the principles of momentum, tension, and immediacy. "Tension," Stern says, "is the mother of fiction. When tension and immediacy combine, the story begins." Dialogue and action, beginnings and endings, the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039332124X
• ISBN13: 9780393321241
• Release Date: November 1991
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Not bad, but nothing much I didn't know.

I like this book and find it useful, but (after having minored in creative writing and reading a myriad of guides and articles on the internet)... I don't find I learned much. For a beginner, though, this book is a wise purchase.

Wish I had read this book before I wrote mine, it would have been so much easier.

As both a author and reader of fiction I was impressed with Making Shapely Fiction. I guess that I just like books that can hold my interest and make me think at the same time. I recommend this book. Time keeps me from writing a longer review but I wanted to get something posted. Tommy Taylor

Best Creative Writing Text I've Used

In my experience most creative writing texts are incredibly "fluffY" - very little real information and more concerned with the volume of prompts than with the value of the prompts. This book is quite the opposite; it contains 16 prompts (called "shapes"), a brief section on writing no-nos, an excellent list of other publications useful to the writer of fiction, and a wonderful, selective glossary of fiction writing terminology. The "shapes" are really explanations of storytelling archetypes of form. Included are The Journey, The Gathering and The Visitation which are rather self-explanatory. Other shapes are less immediately recognizable, but all frequently used storytelling devices. Stern offers brief examples of each shape to help the reader understand and get started. He also references the glossary terms pertinent to each shape. The glossary itself is as useful, if not moreso, than the shapes themselves. It defines concepts as simple as plot and as esoteric as objective correlative. In almost every definition, Stern makes reference to at least one work of fiction exemplifying the concept and these are a genuine aid to the reader or student in understanding what makes great fiction great. I couldn't recommend this book more highly. In a recent creative writing class of 20+ people it got universally high marks, and it's the first book I turn to when my own enthusiasm or inspiration are on the wane. A great bargain!

A Must Have for All Fiction Writers

I usually don't like reading books of explanation, but was forced to buy this one for my creative writing class. I was shocked and amazed that it kept me interested. I love the fact that Jerome Stern utilizes comedy, so that I'm laughing while I'm learning. The lessons in this book are vital for fiction writers of any level. The information is clearly explained, and at the end of each section the names of other related sections within the book are given. This book is a Must Have, and I would reccomend it to anyone even thinking about writing fiction.

You can't help but write good stories using this book.

After reviewing a bunch of how-to-write-short-fiction texts, Isettled on Making Shapely Fiction. Ironic, because as a student atFlorida State University, where Jerry Stern taught, I stayed away from his creative writing classes - people said he was a pit bull. Twenty years later I find myself using this slim, artful text in an advanced writing class, and the students and I are all amazed at the quality of material we're generating from the first. This book doesn't merely promote plot, character and setting: each assignment sets up a scenario that creates tension while warning writers away from tired techniques and stereotype. I recommend it to everyone.