Fiction Writing Demystified: Techniques That Will Make You a More Successful Writer

by Thomas B. Sawyer, Tom Sawyer

Full of expert, effective advice from a producer and professional writer for 15 network television series, this book offers pragmatic techniques for constructing a compelling story and developing rich characters and extraordinary dialogue. In clear and concise language, this lively guide explains that the same methods used in the high-pressure world of writing for television can be applied to fiction storytelling in all its forms, from poetry, short stories, and novels to memoirs, stage plays, and movie scripts. Included is advice on such writing elements as building a story, constructing action sequences, creating memorable characters, developing scene structure, and avoiding cliché dialogue. Also covered are problem-solving strategies for polishing the final product.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Language

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Justin Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the finer books on writing. Focuses primarily on tips and tricks learned over years as a successful television writer. As he points out, television is one of the few entertainment mediums that has to keep audiences so invested in the story they’re willing to sit through obnoxious commercials.

There’s little doubt that utilizing these audience-grabbing techniques can help all writers make characters pop and plots rich with satisfying conflict. He doesn’t waste much time on elementary concepts and shares sage advice received from top producers. I find every book on writing inspiring to a certain degree, but this one is definitely a standout.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far it's a very clear helpful book on writing fiction - mostly geared toward screenwriting, but applies to all other writing as well.

[Granville Howerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top notch advice on writing

I liked hearing from a writer with a different perspective. Also, this writer has written hundreds of screen plays that honed his ideas for dynamic writing. This book is well worth the time to read and consider take aways for my writing improvement.

[Aleina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a very good breakdown of the technical side of writing as it overlaps with screen writing, play writing, and novel writing. The narrator on the audiobook also keeps the text engaging to listen to!

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This guy has a thing against activists apparently. But I did learn a thing or two.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's background is in television, so the techniques and examples relate more to screenwriting rather than fiction writing in general. I liked that the author gave plenty of good examples (and some bad) of popular television series that demonstrate techniques in developing plot, characters, dialogue, and suspense. This book is an excellent guide for anyone who hasn't been exposed to basic techniques of fiction writing.

[Shishir · Rating 2 out of 5]

Insight into script writing (author of Murder She Wrote) some good tips

[Eoghan Odinsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically practical! Sawyer imparts decades of distilled tips and sage advice on how to polish your fiction for the market.

One of the most useful books on writing I've ever read.

[Al Macy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of great advice. This guy wrote screenplays and TV shows for many years, and his advice carries over well to novels.