Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Writer's Digest Books (2004), Edition: 5, 240 pages
Description
Craft an Engaging Plot How does plot influence story structure? What's the difference between plotting for commercial and literary fiction? How do you revise a plot or structure that's gone off course? With Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure, you'll discover the answers to these questions and more. Award-winning author James Scott Bell offers clear, concise information that will help you create a believable and memorable plot, including: Techniques for crafting strong beginnings, middles, and ends Easy-to-understand plotting diagrams and charts Brainstorming techniques for original plot ideas Thought-provoking exercises at the end of each chapter Story structure models and methods for all genres Tips and tools for correcting common plot problems Filled with plot examples from popular novels, comprehensive checklists, and practical hands-on guidance, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structuregives you the skills you need to approach plot and structure like an experienced pro.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member FloridaWriter
I learned more about writing an interesting story from this book than from all the other good writing books I've read. James Scott Bell distills the most crucial aspects of constructing an interesting plot into an easily read and understood book which should be a reference for beginning writers.
LibraryThing member SimonHaynes
Highly recommended. Despite the fact I have three novels in print, I will never stop devouring how-to books. This is one of the best I've read on the subject of plotting a gripping novel, giving plenty of detail and examples.
LibraryThing member CKmtl
A great two-for-one guide, encompassing advice on the construction of plot and scenes.
Bell's writing style is engaging and encouraging to the new writer. His teaching style is replete with mnemonics/acronyms and diagrams; which I really appreciated as a slightly visual learner.
The only theoretical
Bell's writing style is engaging and encouraging to the new writer. His teaching style is replete with mnemonics/acronyms and diagrams; which I really appreciated as a slightly visual learner.
The only theoretical
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downside I noticed was that he draws from modern commercial fiction and film for his examples. While I found this helpful, a new writer with high literary aspirations may be put off. Show Less
LibraryThing member DonCapone
The best book on writing that I've ever read.
LibraryThing member mephistia
The information in this book is assembled in an accessible, enjoyable format. Mr. Bell breaks up the chapters with suggested exercises for improving ones writing techniques, all of which are useful. The lessons themselves are conveyed in a friendly, conversational style, with anecdotes and personal
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examples. I chose this book as a supplementary guide in an Independent Study course, and recommend it as a useful, applicable work to any serious writer. Show Less
LibraryThing member Anna_Erishkigal
The bones of your story. A good, solid, start-to-finish at-home guide to plotting out the architecture of your overarching story and all the little smaller plot arcs.
LibraryThing member NoelleGreene
Wonderful. I keep re-reading. God knows I need it.
LibraryThing member NoelleGreene
Wonderful. I keep re-reading. God knows I need it.
LibraryThing member Sarah_King
This book gave me the confidence to write. I studied it though, made notes and reread it. If you're serious about your writing do the same. It's written in a light-hearted, chatty manner that makes it easy to actually want to go back and read it. It's encouraging and not intimidating at all. The
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exercises are probably useful although I didn't do them so cannot comment. I preferred to apply the theory directly to my writings. A big thumbs up! Show Less
LibraryThing member lauraodom
Marissa Meyer recommended this book on her blog recently, and I thought if she recommended it, it was worth a read. I felt it was a fabulous “craft” book, and I underlined a lot of points that I know I will come back to. I see this as a great reference book that I will use when I’m both
I would recommend this to any writer. It’s a great review on all things related to plot.
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writing and editing. It was both easy to read and engaging.I would recommend this to any writer. It’s a great review on all things related to plot.
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LibraryThing member Amelia_Smith
I found some good ideas and exercises in here.
LibraryThing member stef7sa
Great advice on what makes good writing and how to solve problems
LibraryThing member Sonya.Contreras
James Scott Bell presents an excellent, thorough presentation of developing the plot and structure of a book. He gives tools to use that enable various writing styles and methods to 'fit' the principles of what works. He emphasizes action that brings the reader to be engrossed in the character's
He demonstrates how to hook the reader from the beginning.
Bell provides help for those struggling books that flounder in the middle.
He shows how to leave the reader satisfied at the end.
His methods are helpful for those who organize and for those who don't.
His approach is logical with the spontaneity required for freshness and originality.
It is a resource that I will keep on my shelves for reading again---to remind and to assimilate what I didn't 'get' the first time.
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conflict. He demonstrates how to hook the reader from the beginning.
Bell provides help for those struggling books that flounder in the middle.
He shows how to leave the reader satisfied at the end.
His methods are helpful for those who organize and for those who don't.
His approach is logical with the spontaneity required for freshness and originality.
It is a resource that I will keep on my shelves for reading again---to remind and to assimilate what I didn't 'get' the first time.
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LibraryThing member ForeverMasterless
Sometimes I hate myself and my need to finish reading anything I start, no matter how boring or how terrible it is. This book is the absolute worst example of this.
My experience with this book was akin to being told some mildly useful advice by someone you can’t stand, find painfully boring, and
Perhaps there’s an argument to be made for the fact that both of them are best sellers, but you know who else is a best seller? Stephenie Meyer. Best seller does not a good writer make, and while I haven’t read enough of either author to say that what they write is garbage (even though it totally is), I think I can say that using them as examples of great writing, in a book about writing, was a questionable move at best. Anyone planning on reading this would be much better served by picking up Begnnings, Middles, & Ends by Nancy Kress. It essentially covers the same territory but, unlike this piece of trash, is one of the best books on writing that has ever been written.
So long James Scott Bell. I won’t be reading any more books by you. Especially since I did a little research and found out that, besides books about writing, literally all you write is crime thrillers full of Christian propaganda and I threw up in my mouth a little bit. I wish I could say it was fun while it lasted, but it was hell.
My experience with this book was akin to being told some mildly useful advice by someone you can’t stand, find painfully boring, and
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have trouble taking seriously. There is a lot of good, if basic, information here, but it’s a boring and sterile read that makes writing seem soulless and mechanical; and I find it hard to look past James Scott Bell’s taste in literature. Most of his examples are from James Patterson and Dean Koontz, both of whom Bell seems to have a huge thing for.Perhaps there’s an argument to be made for the fact that both of them are best sellers, but you know who else is a best seller? Stephenie Meyer. Best seller does not a good writer make, and while I haven’t read enough of either author to say that what they write is garbage (even though it totally is), I think I can say that using them as examples of great writing, in a book about writing, was a questionable move at best. Anyone planning on reading this would be much better served by picking up Begnnings, Middles, & Ends by Nancy Kress. It essentially covers the same territory but, unlike this piece of trash, is one of the best books on writing that has ever been written.
So long James Scott Bell. I won’t be reading any more books by you. Especially since I did a little research and found out that, besides books about writing, literally all you write is crime thrillers full of Christian propaganda and I threw up in my mouth a little bit. I wish I could say it was fun while it lasted, but it was hell.
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LibraryThing member SerenaYates
This is a very detailed "how to" guide with lots of explanations and useful exercises. I suspect it is far more useful for writers who have at least some experiences. As a total beginner I found it hard to understand some of the references and connections. Definitely something I should get back to
Recommended for fiction writers who have some experience, know what they are looking for, and are willing to work on their craft.
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when I have written a few more stories. Trying to tackle all the issues and questions I have at once (which is what yu could use this book for) proved to be too much.Recommended for fiction writers who have some experience, know what they are looking for, and are willing to work on their craft.
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LibraryThing member whatsmacksaid
Easy to get through with some exercises, charts, and tips I definitely plan on using. The info isn't really new, but it's always helpful to hear. I enjoyed it and took a few notes besides.
Beware any judgments the author makes on genres outside of mysteries and thrillers--they're not necessarily
Beware any judgments the author makes on genres outside of mysteries and thrillers--they're not necessarily
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wrong, but very frequently a shallow understanding. Show Less
LibraryThing member being_b
Delightfully practical, focused on skill-building, with concrete exercises.
LibraryThing member OmayraV
This is a good resource book to have in a writer's tool box.
LibraryThing member AngelaLam
Excellent book to help you organize your narrative. Especially helpful in explaining why formulas work and how using a formula frees you to create something better.
Highly recommend to writers who struggle with how to structure their story for the best impact on readers. Best read after trying to
Highly recommend to writers who struggle with how to structure their story for the best impact on readers. Best read after trying to
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write on your own for a while so you can see how to make your story better. Show Less
LibraryThing member zot79
Writing isn't as easy as it looks. It's hard to balance all of the elements and create something that will pull a reader into the story world and keep them there all the way through to the end. This book gives writers easy to understand concepts and easy to use tools for making that happen. That
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still doesn't mean that writing a great novel will be easy. But perhaps it will be easier. Show Less
Language
ISBN
9781582976846