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Between the Lines: Master the Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing
Effective storytelling stems from many elements, the most crucial of which are unseen or blended in so unobtrusively that they are difficult to spot and analyze. Still, they are necessary to the wholeness and coherence of a story�to create a work that lingers and resonates in the reader's imagination.In "Between the Lines," author and writing instructor Jessica Page Morrel...more
ebook, 304 pages
Published
April 11th 2006
by Writers Digest Books
(first published January 1st 2006)
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This is a good guide, don't get me wrong, but I'll be honest - a lot of this felt more instructive on elements that I already knew, and it didn't engage or inspire me in the same way as some writing guides I've perused with respect to working with my own WIPs. I usually like a lot of Writer's Digest guides, but this one seemed bogged down in the narrative and not quite as practical for me personally as I would've liked. However, I'm not going to say that it isn't useful, because it delves into a...more
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In Between the Lines, author and writing instructor Jessica Page Morrell shows you how to craft a unified and layered novel or short story by mastering subtle storytelling techniques, such as:
· Using emotional bombshells, surprises, and interruptions to intensify cliffhangers
· Enlarging your story world through the use of layered subplots
· Building suspense one scene at a time to maximize the emotional payoff
· Anchoring your premise to your protagonist’s character arc
· Transitioning into an...more
· Using emotional bombshells, surprises, and interruptions to intensify cliffhangers
· Enlarging your story world through the use of layered subplots
· Building suspense one scene at a time to maximize the emotional payoff
· Anchoring your premise to your protagonist’s character arc
· Transitioning into an...more
I really think the importance of this book cannot be stated enough. It’s fantastic. A great teacher for beginners, but also a fabulous reminder to those who’ve been at writing for a while and sometimes forget the necessity of layering and subtext. What’s between the lines is often overlooked by writers in their own work – but a reader will know immediately that something is missing. If you’re a writer – do yourself a favor and get this book for your reference. You’ll go back to it again and agai...more
It's not often you find an insightful "How To" book on writing that is also an entertaining read. This, however, is a trademark of Jessica Page Morrell books. Ms. Morrell has been in the editing business for a long time and it shows. But she is also an entertaining and talented writer. Her passion for good writing shows on every page.
Each of the points she makes is backed up with real examples from some of the best authors in the business. Those example really drive the lessons home and show wh...more
Each of the points she makes is backed up with real examples from some of the best authors in the business. Those example really drive the lessons home and show wh...more
Now, this was an amazing book that taught me ALL the stuff I should have studied BEFORE writing a novel. NOW I understand peripheral character development. NOW I understand subplots. I've been writing a novel entirely based on instinct, but this book is so clearly written and so complete in its offerings that it's as if I took a course in fiction writing. THANK YOU JESSICA! I took lots of notes as I read.
If you don't own any other how-to book on writing, buy this one. I've only had my copy for 2 weeks and it is already full of post-it notes and most of the text is highlighted by now. Definitely worth the money.
Just be sure not to try to incorporate EVERYTHING you read in here into your first draft - otherwise you'll never get it done! This book is more of a toolbox to use in your final drafts. Keep some of the tools on your desk, keep some in the box while you're writing.
Just be sure not to try to incorporate EVERYTHING you read in here into your first draft - otherwise you'll never get it done! This book is more of a toolbox to use in your final drafts. Keep some of the tools on your desk, keep some in the box while you're writing.
Reading this book is like taking a college course: full of things you should be writing notes about, topics to visit again and again until they are burned into your brain. If you master the material written here, you will be doing well in you writing.
Good, even if the author is a little picky, likes Alice Sebold (a writer I can't stand) and seems more interested in helping people craft popular paperbacks than make art.
A great book to help authors. It explains a lot on the mechanical aspects of writing, such as when to use and when to not use prologue and the effects it will have on your story.
Lunga recensione con stralci
http://www.libriecaffelatte.com/2012/...
Conclusioni: A mio avviso, questo manuale è davvero ben gestito. Mi è servito molto. Mi ha spiegato molto. Soprattutto la parte del tema e della premessa che, inizialmente, mi ha creato dubbi su alcuni miei lavori. Ma con calma e riflessione, sono saltati fuori. E' stato piacevole scoprire alcune tecniche per tenere viva la lettura e come migliorare la trama ponendo più attenzione alle scene.
Soprattutto, la lettura di questo man...more
http://www.libriecaffelatte.com/2012/...
Conclusioni: A mio avviso, questo manuale è davvero ben gestito. Mi è servito molto. Mi ha spiegato molto. Soprattutto la parte del tema e della premessa che, inizialmente, mi ha creato dubbi su alcuni miei lavori. Ma con calma e riflessione, sono saltati fuori. E' stato piacevole scoprire alcune tecniche per tenere viva la lettura e come migliorare la trama ponendo più attenzione alle scene.
Soprattutto, la lettura di questo man...more
I liked how she used classic and current books along with movies as examples. Very easy to read with great insights.
Hmm. The the subject and table of contents are appealing, but the bit in the kindle sample was really overloaded with overwritten and flat out silly (but not funny) dramatization and scene setting. Undecided as to whether or not to continue...
Oct 29, 2012 - got from the library and gave it a go. Too long winded, never seems to come to the point.
Review mainly for the purposes of reminding myself I tried it so I don't get sucked in again.
Oct 29, 2012 - got from the library and gave it a go. Too long winded, never seems to come to the point.
Review mainly for the purposes of reminding myself I tried it so I don't get sucked in again.
Another excellent book for advanced fiction writers.
My go-to guide after finishing a manuscript!
An excellent book that examines technical aspects of writing in a more in-depth fashion than many books about writing. Everyone will get something different out of this book--some chapters will seem review of fundamentals, others will give new insight--but Morrell does a very good job of giving clear examples and explaining how and why things work in writing. I found especially valuable the chapters on Epiphanies & Revelations, Flashbacks, and Subplots. Lots of stuff to mull over and try to...more
Oct 11, 2007
Linda
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
reading-here-and-there,
writing
Still reading this but so far I really like it. The author discusses all the important elements you need to keep in mind while writing fiction, and she does so in a very conversational, easy-to-read way. I would say it's like a classroom in a book. Plus, she uses plenty of familiar examples from both books and movies to help convey her points. And I love the design of the book and pages -- really clever and unique.
Easy to read. A wide variety of practical examples from many different authors' works. Advice is more detailed than many may want at one time, but an excellent resource to return to. Her favourite writers are not mine, but that doesn't prejudice the usefulness of what she has to say. My copy is underlined all over the place and sticky tabs bristle out of the pages like porcupine quills.
Jan 12, 2010
Shane
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
jakob
Shelves:
2010-books-read
Excellent book for any writer. Well written, concise, and full of incredible information for anyone trying to tell a story or who want's to improve their writing overall.
Dec 21, 2011
Nicole Marie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
for-writers,
reference
An excellent book and a must-have for anyone who wants to make to be a writer. Practical and straightforward advice with clear examples, it gives you all the necessary tools to craft stories that not only appeal to the reader but also make them feel they live in your story.
Fantastic book on writing. Not for the novice, this is for when you've mastered the baby steps, and now want to write something people will want to read.
Badly written writing books negate themselves.
Aug 13, 2007
cheri madden
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
writers
much like a bible for writing.
Apr 28, 2013
Mark Adam Thomas
is currently reading it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
writing-books
Apr 06, 2013
Amanda Lynn
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction-faves,
craft-of-writing
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