The Writer's Field Guide to the Craft of Fiction

by Michael Noll

Literary Nonfiction. THE WRITER'S FIELD GUIDE offers a refreshing approach to the craft of fiction writing. It takes a single page from forty contemporary novels and short stories, identifies techniques used by the writers, and presents approachable exercises and prompts that allow anyone to put those techniques to immediate use in their own work. Encompassing everything from micro (how to "write pretty") to macro (how to "move through time space"), and even how to put all together on page one, this a field guide for anyone who wants to start writing now. "There comes a time in every writer's education when they realize they don't know what the hell they're doing. At this point, a writer can throw in the towel, take out student loans for another round of schooling, or discover a brilliant book like Michael Noll's THE WRITER'S FIELD GUIDE. With patience, good humor, and fortitude, Noll provides a field manual for taking fiction apart and putting it back together again, gaining technical know-how and inspiration along the way. An indispensable book that belongs on every serious writer's desk."--Amanda Eyre Ward "These exercises are a true inspiration for both novice and experienced writers. THE WRITER'S FIELD GUIDE is an invaluable book that will energize any writer's imagination and help overcome any writer's block."--Heidi W. Durrow "Michael Noll, having grown up a curious, pragmatic Midwestern farm boy, now passes along some of his hard-earned fiction writing wisdom, freeing us from the 'Behold! Genius- at-work' writing myths in the process. As a writer you'll still find yourself in awe of what Nabokov, Morrison, or Chekov do on the page, but Noll shines some new light on how fiction writers might reexamine story form, character, and language through an old but nearly forgotten method-close reading and imitation-and build their own entirely original works. Because there's less theory and more practice, we all benefit. 'Tell me a story, ' he quotes one of his former instructors urging, which seems simplistic until you look at how often we avoid doing just that. A terrific, truly curious book about the humbling practice of writing fiction."--Scott Blackwood "For years, Michael Noll's Read to Write Stories blog has been one of my favorite resources, period. Now, at last, along comes his WRITER'S FIELD GUIDE, in which reading and writing are rightly treated as inextricable, such that every sharp insight and lively provocation is rooted in the terra firma of great writing. Indeed, its primary text excerpts are impeccable, but it is also Noll's own intuition, reading acumen, and willingness to push beyond the obvious that ultimately make these exercises so worthwhile, and the book a gem."--Tim Horvath, author of Understories

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Crafts

306 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2018

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the greatest book of fiction craft I've ever read. Noll's approach—excerpting a single page from various texts and using it to explore techniques before creating exercises that help a writer mimic it—is such a clear, helpful approach to writing. There's no mysticism, no philosophizing, and no desire to show off how Well-Read and Smart the writer is. I could feel myself becoming a better writer just by reading this book. I only wish I'd read it years ago.

[Abi (The Knights Who Say Book)]

Given that this was basically the textbook for my fiction writing class, it's hard to know whether it was only helpful because it went along with a professor to comment on it and a classroom full of other people's writing to critique. But it is certainly more concretely helpful than other writing guides I've read, so if you're in the market I'd say it's probably a good choice.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far and away the best book on the craft of fiction writing that I've read. This is exactly the kind of craft book I'm always searching for, not one interested in examining the elements of craft in the abstract, but one that offers every writer a host of tools and concise explanations of how to use them (with examples). For experienced writers and anyone just starting out, I strongly recommend.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books on writing fiction that I've ever read. I love how the author, Michael Noll, provides writing passages from contemporary authors and then dissects and analyzes them to show how they work so well. After his analysis of each passage, he provides an exercise or a series of exercises, prompting the aspiring writer to try to use the same tools and steps the published writer used to make his/her passage so compelling. I hope to use some of these exercises in the book I'm currently writing, on which I've become hopelessly bogged down. Maybe it will get me back on track. I'm grateful for discovering and reading this excellent book!

[Gregory Pelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the one hand, this book is designed for those who want to write fiction. The examples, explication, and exercises are quite concise and inspiring to get through writer's block or to work through drafts. I anticipate returning to this as I work through story ideas.

But the hidden layer of the Field Guide is this: even if all you are interested in is reading great stories, this book helps unveil why a particular book, story, or passage really works. Reading The Field Guide ... will increase your enjoyment of reading.

[Kyle S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading a lot of books on writing since 2020, they're all great in their own ways but The Writer's Field Guide to the Craft of Fiction is by far the best of the bunch. Noll's writing is like the cool teacher: he's passionate about his subject, wants to help you learn as much as possible, and speaks casually. Through dozens of examples from accomplished writers and exercises Noll breaks down the elements of good writing and gives any aspiring writer the right tools needed. A must read for anyone wanting to improve their writing.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This craft book is full of great advice sans any pretentiousness, which I so appreciated. I loved Noll’s down-to-earth tone and his playful attitude toward his readers that establishes a sense of student-mentor camaraderie. The deconstruction and analysis of writing samples is very useful (and makes a lot of sense!), and I appreciated the plethora of motivating exercises that can be used to jumpstart a free write or pull a stalled piece out of the mire.

[Micheal Jimerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of 'how to' books on writing. All of them have been useful, because for novices there is so much to learn. This one is exceptional in my opinion. The author shows the reader why good writing works and then he encourages us to strive for it. Readers will enjoy the veil being lifted on the craft.

[Jack Swanzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So helpful because so practically concrete in its examples of fine, clear, artful writing. Many typos so an opportunity to improve in the second edition.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has helped me out of some tough spots, for sure. Useful, practical, and accessible for writers of any level.

[Renee Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't think of a better book to teach writers how to improve upon their fiction craft. As a non-fiction writer who coaches many different types of authors, I found this book to be very helpful!

[Savannah Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful and informative book. A direct approach to the mechanics of writing and how to develop these skills on your own.

[Jennifer Rockwell]

Filled with wide ranging practical examples and exercises to assist in developing better technique.