Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft

I think my copy is a more updated version but it's still very dated in explaining anything other than “you just gotta do it”

Ce livre aborde les sujets importants autour de l'écriture de fiction : le processus d'écriture, “show, don't tell”, les personnages, le cadre du récit, la structure du récit, les points de vue, les métaphores et la symbolique, et le processus de relecture et de correction.

Son autrice le fait de façon intéressante, agréable à lire, et illustrée avec des extraits courts et parlants. Une lecture à la fois plaisante et instructive, ce qui n'est pas une mince affaire étant donné que j'enchaine les lectures sur ce sujet en ce moment.

This was a text I read for my Fiction Writing Workshop and it was a valuable resource. Not only did it provide wonderful examples, but the author included quotes and additional texts that accented the learning.

Clearly this book is written for the beginning English major in undergrad; the author herself even says so. Anyone outside of this demographic probably won't care or will grown bored. I fell into the latter group. While there were many kernals of good advice, it was all information I had heard before. Good reminders, perhaps; beyond that, it offered little more for me.

Overall, this is a good textbook for the undergrad English major. I would suggest being cautious with the author's opinions, however. There are few things I despise more in English craft books than “This is the way to do this and it is the only way” which Burroway alludes to from time to time. Which is ironic considering that the first chapter is entitled “Whatever It Takes” and is the same chapter in which the author tells the reader to “keep a journal,” freewrite, and so forth. While these may be good practices to try out, they're not for every writer.

This is an excellent textbook. I liked the short stories at the end of each chapter. I have read many of the authors in college. It was helpful to be given examples at the end of the chapter by successful writers. I thought the writing prompts and lessons were helpful. As I read this book I wanted to highlight and mark and study this book. I didn't (it is the libraries) but I will because I am going to buy it. I think it is a very good resource for the beginning writer.