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116th out of 321 books
—
503 voters
Monkeys with Typewriters: How to Write Fiction and Unlock the Secret Power of Stories
A manual for reading and writing better, from the acclaimed author of The End of Mr. Yand Our Tragic Universe
Exploring how fiction works,this manualshows you how you can learn to understand it well enough to crack open any fictional narrative, and,if you like, start creating your own. Haveyoueverhad your heart broken, orbrokensomeoneelse'sheart? Haveyouever wonanargumentbu...more
Exploring how fiction works,this manualshows you how you can learn to understand it well enough to crack open any fictional narrative, and,if you like, start creating your own. Haveyoueverhad your heart broken, orbrokensomeoneelse'sheart? Haveyouever wonanargumentbu...more
Paperback, First edition, 480 pages
Published
September 6th 2012
by Canongate UK
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The infinite monkey theorem says that, given enough time, a monkey with a typewriter will almost certainly produce the complete works of Shakespeare just from tapping the keys at random. As Scarlett Thomas points out in the introduction to this creative writing book, though, writers don’t work that way – they write with purpose (though of course that’s not the be-all and end-all of a finished work), and don’t have unlimited time. This is one of the recurring themes of Monkeys with Typewriters: t...more
This is an engaging and thoughtful work on writing fiction, majoring particularly on analysis of plot and some of the nuts and bolts practicalities of how to write fiction, particularly a novel. Following Northrop Frye and Christopher Booker, Thomas identifies what she sees as the major basic plots that fiction writers can draw from –for her there are 8: tragedy, comedy, quest, rags to riches, stranger comes to town, coming of age, mystery and "modern realism" which can have plot in the same way...more
Just what the world of writers needs, eh? Another book telling us how it should be done. Only not quite. Where this book differs from others is she tells us what's worked for her and why it's worked but she tries very hard not to lay down rules or guidelines or whatever you want to call them without acknowledging that others have achieved the same ends by very different means with one, to my mind, important exception which I tend to agree with: If you're not willing to climb to the top of a moun...more
This was amazing.
The greatest thing about it, I think, was that until the very end, she didn't tell you what to do. It was literally the embodiment of 'show don't tell' -- instead of saying, "Okay, so your book works like this? Then do this," she would talk about a type of plot through examples, by analysing another book or film, so that the plot wasn't abstract but was very concrete.
At times it's also downright funny, but it also raised a lot of questions. I was feeling great about my writing p...more
The greatest thing about it, I think, was that until the very end, she didn't tell you what to do. It was literally the embodiment of 'show don't tell' -- instead of saying, "Okay, so your book works like this? Then do this," she would talk about a type of plot through examples, by analysing another book or film, so that the plot wasn't abstract but was very concrete.
At times it's also downright funny, but it also raised a lot of questions. I was feeling great about my writing p...more
Over the years, I’ve amassed a whole shelf of ‘how to’ books on writing. Some have disappointed me. Their blurbs promise the allure of unlocking the deepest, darkest secrets of constructing the perfect narrative but don’t always follow through. Others are invaluable and I find I recommend them time and time again to writing students and consultancy clients. But, for the most part, they tend to focus on one aspect of the craft. A lecturer in creative writing at the University of Kent, Scarlett Th...more
Monkeys With Typewriters by Scarlett Thomas came out in October 2012, making this less untimely than most of my book reviews, and features the popular novelist and creative writing lecturer setting down, in a mere 400 pages (plus footnotes and appendices), her secrets to good writing.
There are, you may have noticed, a lot of books on writing out there. So, as someone who has already done a whole Masters on the subject, did I get anything extra out of Thomas's contribution to the genre? Well, yes...more
There are, you may have noticed, a lot of books on writing out there. So, as someone who has already done a whole Masters on the subject, did I get anything extra out of Thomas's contribution to the genre? Well, yes...more
I firmly believe that certain writing craft books are needed at certain times in your career. Thanks to Cally Taylor's recommendation I fell upon this book at the right time for me. It works it's way through literary criticism, plot, characterisation, sentence structure and beginning a novel. At each section she gives concrete examples on why things work. which I found extremely helpful - especially on plot and characterisation. It wouldn't be a book I would recommend to a real beginner but it i...more
I haven’t read many how-to writing books, so my reading was not comparative to other books of this kind that are out there, which I am assured is many. I thought it was very helpful and well-organized. The tone was mostly conversational which I found nice. I actually did one of the exercises, which ended up being kind of illuminating. There was quite a lot of repetition throughout the book, but I found that helpful in a hammer-it-home kind of way. I’ve read a lot of the books she uses as exam...more
Just finished this and it is great. A very clear description of the craft of putting a novel together, with some fascinating insights into the structure behind many stories. Inspired me to scribble down some ideas as I read it. Will go back and read it again; makes me look back at my favourite books in a new light.
This is an interesting book.
Not sure it would make you want to write a novel but if you are writing one i am sure it will help. What it does do though is cast a light on books or films you may know and potentially give you a new angle or a small change in your perspective.
It still doesnt make me want to read any of her novels but she is an interesting writer and has a good perspective and an ability to find something interesting to say.
Worth a read but check the books analysed before you read i...more
Not sure it would make you want to write a novel but if you are writing one i am sure it will help. What it does do though is cast a light on books or films you may know and potentially give you a new angle or a small change in your perspective.
It still doesnt make me want to read any of her novels but she is an interesting writer and has a good perspective and an ability to find something interesting to say.
Worth a read but check the books analysed before you read i...more
Rambling in style and not much that's original, but easy to read fast, and I found fresh meat to chew on in the chapter on characterisation, causing a eureka, so yay! glad I read it.
Nov 19, 2012
Jackie
marked it as to-read
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11541753
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11541753
It's no easy task to guide someone towards writing fiction without imposing values or setting limitations but Scarlett Thomas manages it.
My review's now up on the blog: http://www.displacementactivity.co.uk...
Challenging, powerful and indispensable. Thomas doesn't just teach you ways to write, she forces you to grow some balls and reject the things that don't work for you.
And that can only mean one thing: independent, educated, ambitious and curious writers.
Don't read this if you think you're already fabulous because you, personally, will learn nothing.
Read this is you're serious, a rebel, crazy, and a masochist.
And that can only mean one thing: independent, educated, ambitious and curious writers.
Don't read this if you think you're already fabulous because you, personally, will learn nothing.
Read this is you're serious, a rebel, crazy, and a masochist.
Review and excerpts to come.
3.5
3.5
I have found it very interesting, more for reading than writing. I want to read (or re-read) the novels quoted in this book.
May 19, 2013
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Scarlett Thomas has taught English Literature at the University of Kent since 2004, and has previously taught at Dartmouth Community College, South East Essex College and the University of East London. She reviews books for the Literary Review, the Independent on Sunday, and Scotland on Sunday. She has written seven novels, including The End of Mr. Y and PopCo.
In 2001 she was named by The Independ...more
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In 2001 she was named by The Independ...more
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“Some writers, notably Anton Chekov, argue that all characters must be admirable, because once we've looked at anyone deeply enough and understood their motivation we must identify with them rather than judge them.”
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