Covers openings, viewpoint, exposition, subplots, set-pieces, melodrama, patterns, pacing, transition, allegory, contrast, and revelation

Plot (Elements of Fiction Writing)

Reference

Dibell, Ansen

Words, Language & Grammar

Writers' Digest Books

Presents shortcuts, techniques, and tips to help writers make better use of word processing software in writing, editing, formatting, and printing manuscripts

Word Processing Secrets for Writers

Computers & Technology

Banks, Michael A.

Software

"There are ways to create, fix, steer and discover plots—ways which, over a writing life, you'd eventually puzzle out for yourself," writes Ansen Dibell. "They aren't laws. They're an array of choices, things to try, once you've put a name to the particular problem you're facing now."
That's what this book is about: identifying those choices (whose viewpoint? stop and explain now, or wait? how can this lead to that?), then learning what narrative problems they are apt to create and how to choose an effective strategy for solving them. The result? Strong, solid stories and novels that move.
Inside you'll discover how to:
<ul>
<li>test a story idea (using four simple questions) to see if it works</li>
<li>convince your reader that not only is something happening, but that something's going to happen and it all matters intensely</li>
<li>handle viewpoint shifts, flashbacks, and other radical jumps in your storyline weave plots with subplots</li>
<li>get ready for and write your Big Scenes</li>
<li>balance scene and summary narration to produce good pacing</li>
<li>handle the extremes of melodrama by "faking out" your readers—making them watch your right hand while your left hand is doing something sneaky</li>
<li>form subtle patterns with mirror characters and echoing incidents</li>
<li>choose the best type of ending—linear or circular, happy or downbeat, or (with caution!) a trick ending</li>
</ul> Whether your fiction is short or long, subtle or direct, you'll learn to build strong plots that drive compelling, unforgettable stories your readers will love.

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History & Criticism

Writer's Digest Books

SPECIAL SHRINKWRAPPED BUNDLE! Improve your writing, one element at a time with the Elements of Fiction Collecction. With these books you'll learn how to draw on various sources to create authentic characters and which viewpoint tells their story best with Characters & Viewpoint (Orson Scott Card); start your story strong and carry your readers through to the compelling end with Beginnings, Middles & Ends (Nancy Kress); keep readers turning the page to find out more with Conflict, Action & Suspense (William Noble); create atmosphere and move your story forward with Description (Monica Wood); build a sturdy framework for your novel and craft scenes that move the reader moment by moment toward the resolution in Scene & Structure (Jack M. Bickham); weave plots and subplots, handle radical shifts in the storyline and keep your readers interested with Plot (Ansen Dibell). With the Elements of Fiction Collection, your work will be strengthened across the board!

The Elements of Fiction Writing

Kress, Nancy

Noble, William

Wood, Monica

Card,Orson Scott

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Books by Dibell, Ansen