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I have just recently started writing. I think most of the technique I have comes from mimicry of authors I’ve read and enjoyed. But the problem I run into with this is I don’t understand why those authors are doing what they’re doing. I keep seeing posts that say to learn the rules before you break them. So does anyone know of any books or websites that talk about rules and techniques for writing? I have OSC’s book about writing SF/Fantasy, but would love to get some other recommendations. Thanks!
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OSC's other book, Character and Viewpoint, is the best book I've ever come across to learn storytelling. Everything you're saying is exactly how I felt before I read it. I felt like I had great intuition (I was sensitive to what was good and what wasn't), but I didn't know how to make it happen on my own.
Also, I know I learned a lot more from critiquing other people's work than from having my own done. You should read the book, and then start applying the three questions he talks about(Oh yeah? so what? Huh?)to every thing you read. I can tell from the first 13 you posted that it's all gonna click for you any second. You're there, dude.
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Self-editing For Fiction Writers -- Browne and King Scene and Structure -- Jack Bickham The 3rd Act -- Drew Yanno Story -- Robert Mckee (screenwriting text but very inisghtful for fiction, too. Posts: 1580 | Registered: Dec 2005
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The following websites were helpful to me when I returned to writing and wanted to try and understand structure. * Simon Haynes' articles on writing, * Randy Ingermanson's articles on scenes and novel structure and * Sites I googled regarding three act structure proved useful (whether or not I adhere to it).
[This message has been edited by BenM (edited June 28, 2009).]
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Most books on writing are a waste of time. Having said that, I must admit that OSC's, Character and Viewpoint, is a keeper. It would be the first, and only, book I'd give someone who asked about learning to write.
I'm biased, though. I think all stories begin and end with character/motivation, and I tend not to focus much on plot/concept. I like characters, and I just put them in situations that I'd be too scared to be involved with in the first place (like dating, and, you know, actual living).
Seriously, Character and Viewpoint, is a good one, but don't get too bogged down in "how to" books. Read a lot, and read a lot of the classics, whether it be literary or genre. That way you'll know what's come before you, and you can crib from the best.
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I thought I learned a lot from Dean Koontz's How to Write Best Selling Fiction---I'm not sure of the title right now, as I only had a library copy to go by, and it's long out of print, I think---I learned a lot, though I'm not a particularly big fan of Koontz's other writings...
Posts: 8809 | Registered: Aug 2005
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Practice. Take literature classes and begin to understand symbolism and metaphor and foreshadowing and theme. Practice some more. If you write short stories, read J.D. Salinger's Nine Stories twice. Read Harlan Ellison's Deathbird Stories twice. Practice some more. Read like a mad person. Keep practicing.
You don't actually have to read any books on how to write.
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Also, remember one of Gene Wolfe's comments.... Paraphrasing: An idea for a story is an idea for an ending. Most people don't have ideas for stories, they have ideas for situations. If you don't know the ending, you don't have a story.
Posts: 214 | Registered: Jun 2005
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