Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I got this as the textbook for a novel writing class and have kept it ever since. It is detailed, specific, with examples of good and bad, as well as writing exercises to develop a writer’s craft. It was an optional purchase, but I bought it, read it and am glad I did.
It includes chapters on the process (do what works for you–I like that sort of freedom, where whatever I do is right as long as I do it), showing and telling, characterization, setting, atmosphere, POV, metaphors and similar (and allegory and symbolic choices), theme and revision. Lots of writing books don’t cover topics such as theme and simile. Janet Burroway’s book is over 400 pages and she uses each one wisely. I keep it as a reference for times when I’m stuck on metaphors or theme.
I’d recommend this book, especially to the beginning writer. It covers the important traits in enough detail that they’re usable rather than fixable. Burroway brings difficult concepts to life in a way that has stuck with my over the years.
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is webmaster for six blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for Examiner.com and TeachHUB, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, Cisco guest blog,Technology in Education featured blogger, IMS tech expert, and a bi-monthly contributor to Today’s Author. In her free time, she is the editor of a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum, and creator of technology training books for how to integrate technology in education. Currently, she’s editing a thriller that should be out to publishers next summer. Contact Jacqui at her writing office or her tech lab, Ask a Tech Teacher.
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By: Tweets that mention Book Review: Writing Fiction « Word Dreams… -- Topsy.com on November 10, 2010
at 11:54 am
Excellent. Another focussed book on the art of writing that doesn’t glaze over the real problems we encounter.
I love the fact that she covers allegory and metaphors. They are very hard to write about. It’s an organic process that I dearly would like someone to attempt to simplify and make sense of.
Thanks Jacqui!
By: mywordlyobsessions on November 16, 2010
at 5:28 pm
That got my attention, too–allegories. It’s fascinating to read intelligent discussions about our craft, isn’t it?
By: WordDreams on November 16, 2010
at 7:17 pm
[...] I’ll focus on the highly-respected Janet Burroway Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft (Longman 2003), the first book I ever purchased on how to write. It’s full of ideas, [...]
By: Writer’s Tip #95: 8 Tips from Janet Burroway « Jacqui Murray's WordDreams… on January 30, 2012
at 1:45 am
[...] Janet Burroway explains what that means: [...]
By: 5 Simple Ways to Bring Your Story to Life « Jacqui Murray's WordDreams… on November 14, 2012
at 12:47 am