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

Rating:
Summary: Years of Experience and a Teacher's Touch
Review: Confession time: lining the dustier shelves of my workspace are largely unread books with titles like "Practical Tips for Writing Popular Fiction" and "How to Tell a Story." These were acquired in various weak moments--generally after receiving yet another rejection slip--when doubting my abilities. Always, after skimming the first few chapters, I would chastise myself for wasting another $20.00 or so, and swear never to be enticed by another such title.

So when the review copy of "Fiction Writing Demystified" hit my desk I was, to say the least, skeptical. After all, the subtitle promises "Techniques That Will Make You a More Successful Writer." Thoroughly convinced I was wasting my time, I nevertheless opened to the Preface and began reading. Quite literally, I couldn't put it down: all 195 pages (back and front matter comprise the balance) were devoured in one sitting, leaving me hungry for more.

Beginning with the first page, Mr. Sawyer offers a bounty of reasonable and specific advice, useful not only for the novice but for the accomplished writer as well. Drawing upon his years of experience as a creative writing teacher, screenwriter and novelist, he presents practical techniques for crafting a tight, gripping story with powerful characters and unique, exceptional dialogue.

This is not to imply that only fiction writers will benefit from Mr. Sawyer's book. Indeed, a better title might have been "Creative Writing Demystified," as much of what he has to say can be applied by creative writers of all stripes. The historian, the self-help guru, even the cookbook writer all must engage their readers, or "...they'll stop reading or watching or paying attention to whatever it is we're trying to say."

Perhaps the great strength of this book lies in Mr. Sawyer's ability to convey his knowledge and experience in clear, concise language, and an easy to read, conversational format. Certainly some of what Mr. Sawyer writes will seem rudimentary to the experienced writer. But it is basic in a forehead-slapping, "Of course!" way--and a little blatancy is to be expected in a book with so broad a target audience. Still, given some of the fiction I've read--and, to my chagrin, written--lately, many of us would do well to heed much of that fundamental wisdom.

Rating:
Summary: Will lead you to success!
Review: Fiction Writing Demystified is a powerhouse of solid information that will definitely improve your performance as a writer. Sawyer breaks his purpose down into a simple statement: "In a very real way, this book is about troubleshooting your own writing." He provides you with the tools to become a self-editor.

Sawyer walks you through the mindset of the writer, the beginning of the story, the writing process, the construction, and creating unique dialogue. But for me, the most enlightening portion of the book is the character development chapter. This lengthy chapter makes up almost half of the book and covers aspects of character development that I had not even considered.

Sawyer's writing style is conversational and bright. It moves along at a steady pace and propels you forward. I read the entire book before stopping for coffee. It is one how-to manual that you just cannot put down. From the beginning, I was reminded of my favorite writing how-to book, On Writing, by Stephen King. Sawyer's tone and style are so close to King's. His choice of words also resembles King's. Both men reduce the most complex topics into plain, easy to understand explanations.

Fiction Writing Demystified delivers on the promise to make you a more successful writer. If you follow the instructions in this book, I am certain that you will find your manuscripts being accepted more frequently and revised very little. My only problem with any of the advice is when Sawyer warns writers to omit dialect. I have heard this wisdom dispensed by professional writers, editors, publishers, and instructors ever since I began writing. Yet, we repeatedly fall in love with the very characters that have the strongest dialect, proving that the public does tire of making believe that all people are standard Middle American. From Cyndi Lauper and Fran the Nanny to Andy Griffith and Gomer Pyle, we love dialects and variety in our characters. Unfortunately, as long as the icons of the business continue to warn writers to avoid dialects, we will be stuck with Stepford Middle American speech patterns. I would have liked to hear Sawyer stating that dialect is okay, but I am sure that he feels it would greatly reduce the marketability of work. He is providing his readers with solid advice for success.

Thomas B. Sawyer has been on the writing staff of 15 network TV series. He has written 9 series pilots and 100 episode scripts. He was the Head-writer/Producer/Showrunner of Murder She Wrote. His resume goes on and only becomes more impressive.

Reprinted from Gotta Write Network Online.

Rating:
Summary: The Only Book You Will Ever Need.
Review: If you are like me, one of the myriad of aspiring writers out there, you buy every book you can get your hands on about fiction writing. I, too, sadly, was once like you all. I'd buy a book and discover it to be nothing more than another "system" on how to write a million dollar script for Hollywood. In one night, yet. Or 21 days. Or 90 days. Bah. Humbug.
With no exaggeration whatsoever, Mr. Sawyer's book IS the ONLY book you will ever need. This book does not get bogged down in useless theories, ridiculous structure ideas or quirky character creation garbage. Reading this book is like having a produced writer sitting beside you, guiding your every step. This is fiction writing instruction at its best.
I want to thank Mr. Sawyer for writing this incredible book. It has inspired me to strive beyond "aspiring."

Rating:
Summary: An unusually helpful and useful resource
Review: Thomas B. Sawyer was the head writer/producer/showrunner of the popular television series "Murder, She Wrote", as well as a vast number of other scripts for more than fifteen other shows. Sawyer is also a professional teacher of creative writing and screen writing who co-created the award-winning software "Plots Unlimited" for fiction writers. In Fiction Writing Demystified, Sawyer draws upon his many years of experience and documented expertise to present the tricks, tips, and techniques of the trade that apply to all forms of writing, including clear, reader-involving fiction, nonfiction, poetry, sermons, essays, business writing, and any other form of storytelling. Individual chapters persuasively address the writer's optimum mindset, story ideas, the laborious yet rewarding process of crafting a story, red flags to avoid, crafting memorable characters, distinctive dialogue, and much, much more. Fiction Writing Demystified is enthusiastically recommended as being an unusually helpful and useful resource -- especially for the novice writing seeking to be published and/or produced.

Rating:
Summary: Years of Experience and a Teacher's Touch
Review: Thomas B. Sawyer was the head writer/producer/showrunner of the popular television series "Murder, She Wrote", as well as a vast number of other scripts for more than fifteen other shows. Sawyer is also a professional teacher of creative writing and screen writing who co-created the award-winning software "Plots Unlimited" for fiction writers. In Fiction Writing Demystified, Sawyer draws upon his many years of experience and documented expertise to present the tricks, tips, and techniques of the trade that apply to all forms of writing, including clear, reader-involving fiction, nonfiction, poetry, sermons, essays, business writing, and any other form of storytelling. Individual chapters persuasively address the writer's optimum mindset, story ideas, the laborious yet rewarding process of crafting a story, red flags to avoid, crafting memorable characters, distinctive dialogue, and much, much more. Fiction Writing Demystified is enthusiastically recommended as being an unusually helpful and useful resource -- especially for the novice writing seeking to be published and/or produced.