The Lie That Tells a Truth: A Guide to Writing Fiction

The Lie That Tells a Truth: A Guide to Writing Fiction

by John Dufresne
ISBN-10:
0393325814
ISBN-13:
9780393325812
Pub. Date:
08/17/2004
Publisher:
Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
ISBN-10:
0393325814
ISBN-13:
9780393325812
Pub. Date:
08/17/2004
Publisher:
Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
The Lie That Tells a Truth: A Guide to Writing Fiction

The Lie That Tells a Truth: A Guide to Writing Fiction

by John Dufresne
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Overview

"This is the most practical, hard-nosed, generous, direct, and useful guide to writing fiction." —Brad Watson

Finally, a truly creative—and hilarious—guide to creative writing, full of encouragement and sound advice. Provocative and reassuring, nurturing and wise, The Lie That Tells a Truth is essential to writers in general, fiction writers in particular, beginning writers, serious writers, and anyone facing a blank page.

John Dufresne, teacher and the acclaimed author of Love Warps the Mind a Little and Deep in the Shade of Paradise, demystifies the writing process. Drawing upon the wisdom of literature's great craftsmen, Dufresne's lucid essays and diverse exercises initiate the reader into the tools, processes, and techniques of writing: inventing compelling characters, developing a voice, creating a sense of place, editing your own words. Where do great ideas come from? How do we recognize them? How can language capture them? In his signature comic voice, Dufresne answers these questions and more in chapters such as "Writing Around the Block," "Plottery," and "The Art of Abbreviation." Dufresne demystifies the writing process, showing that while the idea of writing may be overwhelming, the act of writing is simplicity itself.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780393325812
Publisher: Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date: 08/17/2004
Edition description: Reprint
Pages: 320
Sales rank: 820,031
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

John Dufresne, author of Flash! Writing the Very Short Story, teaches at Miami’s Florida International University.

Table of Contents

IntroductionXIII
The Process
Getting in Shape3
As a Matter of Fact11
Writing Around the Block21
Becoming a Writer31
Pick Yourself Up47
Sitting Alone in a Quiet Room57
Getting Black on White69
Doing it Again (And Again [And Again])81
The Meaning of Life is to See95
Clishmaclaver109
The Product
Getting Her Up the Tree, Getting Her Down: Beginnings and Endings119
The Queen Died of Grief: Plot133
Plottery: Plot159
The Heart of Fiction: Character169
The Method: Character183
"Let's Talk," He Said: Dialogue197
May I Ask Who's Calling, Please? Point of View221
You Can't Do Anything If You're Nowhere: Place243
The Art of Abbreviation: The Very Short Story257
Other Matters
Reading to Write267
The Writer Reads273
Small Craft Warnings289
Go Forth and Write297

What People are Saying About This

Ron Carlson

Frank and friendly talk about the approach to and the craft of fiction....a welcome companion.

Lewis Nordan

This is the writing guide I've been waiting for.

Janet Burroway

An engaging covers-all-the bases guide—sometimes moving, often funny, full of goodwill and good sense.

Alan Cheuse

I used to think that the only books of this kind worth reading were John Gardner's and Janet Burroway's. I've made room on my shelf for Dufresne's.

George Garrett

Dufresne makes it all good fun, from first to last, from guggle to zatch. See for yourself.

Connie May Flower

With uncommon candor, grace, insight, and clarity, Dufresne unmasks the Writer's Muse, allowing...a vivid and rich exploration of the creative process.

Steve Yarbrough

Dufresne's literary intelligence shines through every line....I'll be directing people to this book for years to come. It's wonderful.

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