Fiction - The Art and the Craft: How Fiction is Written and How to Write it

by Colin Bulman

Overview

Fiction - The Art and the Craft is a highly practical exposition of all the major elements of fiction - such as plot, conflict, suspense, the hook, inference, character and dialogue - and how these elements are combined to make a compelling story. Using examples from well-known works of literature and incorporating exercises, research suggestions and activities, this informative, interesting and accessible book is a must-read for any author.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782794356
Publisher:	Collective Ink
Publication date:	09/26/2014
Pages:	206
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

After taking early retirement from the University of Huddersfield where he taught English and creative writing, Colin Bulman now writes and works part-time for the Writers Bureau and Writer's Home Study Correspondence schools. He lives in Hexham, UK.

Table of Contents

Preface vi

1 What is Fiction? 1

2 Plot 12

3 The Inciting Incident 15

4 The Simple Plot 18

5 Inference 23

6 Life Plots 26

7 Plot Structure and Originality 30

8 Plot Details 35

9 Interlude: Story and Plot 40

10 The Starting Point 44

11 Character 47

12 Conflict 58

13 The Nature of Conflict in Fiction 62

14 Surprise and Suspense 69

15 Dialogue 79

16 Setting 85

17 Narrative Method and Point of View 88

18 Theme, Symbolism and Motif 98

19 Opening Gambits 105

20 Time 115

21 Twists and Endings 122

22 Theories about Plot and Further Plot Ideas 133

23 Analysis of Two Short Stories 144

24 Flash Fiction and Short Shorts 158

25 Genres of Fiction 163

26 Prose Fiction 181

27 Punctuation of Dialogue 186

28 What Writers Say 190