Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Writers Digest Books (1933), Edition: 2, Paperback, 176 pages
Description
Kress shows you effective solutions for potential problems at each stage of your story-- essential lessons for strong start-to-finish storytelling.
User reviews
LibraryThing member ForeverMasterless
“The story that comes out on the page isn’t the same as the story in your head,” Nancy Kress says on the very first page. I know this feeling intimately, and from this moment on I was hooked.
I’m very serious about writing, and I also have a tendency to research things I’m interested in
So what makes this book so great? Kress goes over every topic a new writer needs to write credible, publishable prose, and to structure a satisfying story, and she does it in a way that immediately makes sense. She also does something I’ve yet to see other writing books do, which is to take into account every type of writer. Every new lesson acknowledges the differences between novelists and short story writers—outliners and discovery writers, and it offers specific advice for each. As someone who is just starting out, I write a lot of short stories simply because they’re faster and easier to finish. Finding information specific to short stories in this book was an unexpected but welcome surprise.
Long story short, this is one of the best books about the technical side of writing fiction. Period. If you need tips, advice, structure, direction, buy this book. If you are instead looking for inspiration, you won’t find much of it here, but one book can’t have everything, now can it?
I’m very serious about writing, and I also have a tendency to research things I’m interested in
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very thoroughly. I’ve done this with every RPG and MMO I’ve ever played. I’ve done it with shows that have complex mythologies. So, it probably comes as no surprise that I’ve read quite a few books about writing. As of this review I’ve finished five, including this book, and I am working on three more. So far no book has helped me as much as this one. I took notes on this book, of every chapter. The chapter with the least notes clocks in at 200 words. The chapter with the most clocks in at over 800. That’s how packed full of useful information this book is.So what makes this book so great? Kress goes over every topic a new writer needs to write credible, publishable prose, and to structure a satisfying story, and she does it in a way that immediately makes sense. She also does something I’ve yet to see other writing books do, which is to take into account every type of writer. Every new lesson acknowledges the differences between novelists and short story writers—outliners and discovery writers, and it offers specific advice for each. As someone who is just starting out, I write a lot of short stories simply because they’re faster and easier to finish. Finding information specific to short stories in this book was an unexpected but welcome surprise.
Long story short, this is one of the best books about the technical side of writing fiction. Period. If you need tips, advice, structure, direction, buy this book. If you are instead looking for inspiration, you won’t find much of it here, but one book can’t have everything, now can it?
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LibraryThing member devilwrites
I want to start off by saying this is a fabulous resource. I picked it up because I've long heard Kress's "How To" books praised, and I must say, I'm very glad I did.
There are, as always, things I already know. Or things I've already intuited from my own work. But it's great, for starters, to have
But, one of the best things about this book? It discusses both novels and short stories. Kress talks about what's different between each, and how a writer should handle it. That alone makes this book worth its weight in gold.
Kress also doesn't simply focus on beginnings as a whole, middles, and ends. She talks about the elements that make them such. She talks about the kinds of writers who have problems with each. She also, surprisingly, focuses a lot on character and plot, because think about it: if you're stuck somewhere in your work? Chances are, going back to your original characterization and original plot will fix things right up. But she also stresses how plot grows out of character, and that if you're forcing characters to act against their inner nature, you've got a block coming.
In a way, this book deals with various aspects of writers block and how to get around it, especially in context to where you're stuck. Beginnings are related to middles, which relate to ends, and back again. Each section has its own set of exercises (none of which I've done, but I'm glad to have them) as well, which gives you some practical application as well.
In short? Get this book. We all have trouble-spots, but learning how it all fits together as a whole is a very useful thing.
There are, as always, things I already know. Or things I've already intuited from my own work. But it's great, for starters, to have
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stuff reinforced. It's also great to have things spelled out plainly.But, one of the best things about this book? It discusses both novels and short stories. Kress talks about what's different between each, and how a writer should handle it. That alone makes this book worth its weight in gold.
Kress also doesn't simply focus on beginnings as a whole, middles, and ends. She talks about the elements that make them such. She talks about the kinds of writers who have problems with each. She also, surprisingly, focuses a lot on character and plot, because think about it: if you're stuck somewhere in your work? Chances are, going back to your original characterization and original plot will fix things right up. But she also stresses how plot grows out of character, and that if you're forcing characters to act against their inner nature, you've got a block coming.
In a way, this book deals with various aspects of writers block and how to get around it, especially in context to where you're stuck. Beginnings are related to middles, which relate to ends, and back again. Each section has its own set of exercises (none of which I've done, but I'm glad to have them) as well, which gives you some practical application as well.
In short? Get this book. We all have trouble-spots, but learning how it all fits together as a whole is a very useful thing.
Show Less
LibraryThing member gilroy
This book offers insight that's good for those starting in the writing field. IF you're not sure how to start, flow, and end, it will help.
Once you've experienced completing a story, this book offers tips to get around blockages, but doesn't hold as much information as a more advanced writer might
Once you've experienced completing a story, this book offers tips to get around blockages, but doesn't hold as much information as a more advanced writer might
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require. Show Less
LibraryThing member ghr4
Nancy Kress's Beginnings, Middles & Ends, part of the Elements of Fiction series, is an excellent reference tool for writers, as it clearly and concisely explains the hows and whys of effective story structure. The author breaks down the importance of each of the three sections for both novels and
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short stories, and shows, through examples and exercises, how the parts interrelate and are ultimately crafted into an effective narrative. Kress appropriately weaves in discussion of character, point of view, and motivation. Highly recommended for both the budding author and those more experienced who may need an occasional boost. Show Less
LibraryThing member DLMorrese
This is a very good primer for beginning authors on the art and craft of fiction writing.
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
176 p.; 9.02 inches
ISBN
0898795508 / 9780898795509