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Hardcover The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them): And How to Avoid Them Book

ISBN: 0898795036

ISBN13: 9780898795035

The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them): And How to Avoid Them

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Format: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

$5.09
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Book Overview

The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing MistakesWhen you write fiction, you march onto a minefield. This book gives you a map.Oh, what tricky terrain you're traveling You must reckon with: Character, Conflict, Point of View, Dialogue, Editors, Editors, and Editors, who--by returning stories they see as problem-plagued--can burst your hopes of publication.Where are the problems? Editors rarely take the time to map them out, so Jack Bickham has. In this book, he spotlights the 38 most common fiction writing land mines--writing mistakes that can turn even dynamite story ideas into slush pile rejects. And he guides you in overcoming them.In to-the-point style, he shows you how to: conquer procrastination--and put ink on paper regularlydump wimpy characters--and build characters ready to actlook for trouble--and create conflicts for your characterscut coincidence--and put better-than-life logic into fictionescape the fog--and find and stick to your story's directionfree feelings--and fire your fiction with passion and emotionIn short, Bickham helps you take a giant step toward publication.Read this book. Strengthen your writing. And start setting off explosions where they belong: on the sales charts. This description may be from another edition of this product.

Customer Reviews

6 customer ratings | 5 reviews

Rated 5 stars
Essential for new writers!!.......

when I first started creative writing a few years ago, this was one of the first guide books I picked up. Since then I've read and highlighted it numerous times because the points Bickham drives home are so critical. He gives excellent examples of each potential type of fiction writing mistake and also gives practical advice to writers.Some key points Bickham devotes chapters to: don't be a show off when you write, speak intelligently...

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Rated 5 stars
- A Must Have Book for Novice Fiction Writers

This book is a "must" for beginning fiction writers who want to write to publish stories. This book accomplishes its mission; it identifies many obvious mistakes that beginner writers make but ought to avoid--simple mistakes that could cause both editors or readers alike to reject a story and, ultimately, its author. My recommendation to a beginner fiction writer is to read this book now. I'd like to offer a backhanded compliment...

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Rated 5 stars
A few things

First of all, I purchased this book over a year ago and I continue to use it. I pick it up to refresh my memory and it helps me see my work with fresh eyes. True, it is a don't do this don't do that book. I saw a few reviews complain about this... I wonder if they noticed the title of the book. Anyhow, a lot can be learned from what not to do. Second, this a book about writing works that publisher's find appealing (and the...

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Rated 5 stars
Well worth the money. A rare find.

I don't often drop 10 to 12 bucks on how-to books, but this one got my attention with concise, helpful specifics. I'll definitely keep it to read and re-read. Great for helping you figure out what you're good at and what you need to work on, reminding you of the important stuff, and inspiring you to get back to the keyboard!

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Rated 5 stars
As valuable as a creative writing course -- but cheaper.

Pithy, to-the-point, and more useful than any other single book on the subject. Have yet to see the important writing questions asked (and answered) so well. Probably the best first book for aspiring writers to read, well before their manuscripts are finished.

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