Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but not a keeper
Review: As the title indicates, this is a list of common fiction mistakes. While it's interesting to read these and compare what you are doing to them, they don't neccesarily point you in the right direction or help you improve. I did enjoy saying to myself, "I don't do that. I used to do that, but I don't anymore..." etc.My advice, check it out from the library rather than spend your money on it. There are better writing books out there.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific Book
Review: Bickham points out some things that seem so elementary, you may find that you've been heeding his advice without knowing why - but at least now you will know why! Well written book, aimed at novices but some good reminders even for experienced writers. The book is priced conservatively, too, and written in plain English. Very worthwhile little guide to common sense approaches at editing, proofing, and writing fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: If you wish to be a author you need this book...
Review: I have a dozen books on science fiction and how to write it. But many of those books assume you know the basic rules to writing fiction. So I decided to buy this book and see if I was missing anything by reading only about how to write science fiction. I'm very happy that I did.
The book NOT only deals with characters, plots and dialogue, but also how to add passion to your stories, how to deal with procrastination and keeping your story on course. Not only does the book point out the mistakes, but all the ways to get around them. Jack M. Bickham doesn't tell you, "This is the wrong way," without also saying, "But this is how to fix it".
He is also honest - he won't tell you that it's easy or simple to do. It's HARD work and, whether you put pen to paper for fun or profit, it takes up a LOT of time to do it right.
Rating:
Summary: If you wish to be a author you need this book...
Review: I have a dozen books on science fiction and how to write it. But many of those books assume you know the basic rules to writing fiction. So I decided to buy this book and see if I was missing anything by reading only about how to write science fiction. I'm very happy that I did.
The book NOT only deals with characters, plots and dialogue, but also how to add passion to your stories, how to deal with procrastination and keeping your story on course. Not only does the book point out the mistakes, but all the ways to get around them. Jack M. Bickham doesn't tell you, "This is the wrong way," without also saying, "But this is how to fix it".
He is also honest - he won't tell you that it's easy or simple to do. It's HARD work and, whether you put pen to paper for fun or profit, it takes up a LOT of time to do it right.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Read!!
Review: I purchased this book on a whim in a book store. I had high hopes of learning something new. This book delivered. As a struggling writer I am always looking to improve my craft and there were some very good suggestions and techniques mentioned in the text. I found the book so useful I was able to put together my own checklist together utilizing the techniques discussed. I will use this summarized list to review my own prose upon completion. If you're a writer looking to improve your craft this book can definately be of use.
Rating:
Summary: Some useful advice, some biased opinion
Review: I sensed an overall negative tone in this book; the author was very aggressive on making a point. Generally speaking, the advice offered is occasionally useful, but it is more aimed at the totally inexperienced writer who has no clue on how to write a novel. If you follow his advice, you'll probably end up with a novel he would like.. but there are hundreds of very successful novels out there that don't match the requirements he listed in this book. It's a quick read if the book grabs your interest, but personally, I think there are many better books out there on writing fiction.
Rating:
Summary: A laundry list of things every writer should know
Review: Jack doesn't spend more than three pages on any one point, and he doesn't have to. He gives an example, explains the salient concepts including positive suggestions, and gets out. This book taught me more about writing than any other. I devoured it in two days and my stories reached a new plateau immediately afterwards. If I could give every aspiring writer one book, this would be it.
Rating:
Summary: Good - some of the reviewers don't "get it":
Review: Small book - big benefit. Some reviewers complain about his suggestions to show as well as tell. One must do both. A book that only "tells" and never "shows" can be a drag!
Rating:
Summary: Practical
Review: The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them) is a very good book for newborn novelists. Jack Bickham shares practical advice on some pitfalls that many of us new novelists may be unable to distinguish. Although there are several other books on the market to aid us in our quest to become professional writers, Bickham's piece nevertheless serves as an appropriate functional guide. It is beneficial in providing the beginner with necessary foundational tools that will carry us well into the advanced stage of fiction writing. From stimulus and response to establishing clear viewpoint, The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes is a suitable platform that can catapult the enterprising writer into an illustrious career. Bickham's fundamentals are an excellent reference point for the Apprentice and even the Master Craftsman. Kudos.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not the best
Review: There is good information in this book, but I am not sure if the presentation of it is the best way to go. Reading about mistakes is probably best done after a writer has finished a rough draft and wants to check it see if there are any of these mistakes.
Some of the mistakes, several of the 38, really had nothing to do with technique or style, they addressed the act of working as a professional and presenting your work in the appropriate format. Not that this is bad information, but here it is outdated and a bit simplistic. For instance we are told not to send a manuscript to an editor that has been printed on a nine pin dot matrix printer. A problem with not updating the book before reprinting it, it makes me wonder if there are any other bits of information that are outdated that I didn't notice. I really had a problem with the constant use of the pronoun "she". As I read I don't register words like he, she, it, and, the, and the like. When she as been substituted for he, when the pronoun refers to mankind in general and not a specific woman, it is very distracting. I believe that it causes the exact opposite effect that the pc crowd is hoping for, instead of making women equal it takes away the fact that they had a specific pronoun "she". Where they once were treated special, now they are patronized and the reader distracted. So do I recommend this work? Maybe. If you are reading a lot of writing books, include this one and you won't be harmed. But if you have a budget or are just starting to delve into the various and many books on writing I would recommend starting elsewhere, "How to Write a Damn Good Novel" and "The First Five Pages" are both two good reads, they have basically the same information, but are written in a style that is less "dry" more current and they read quicker.
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