Rating: 
Summary: - A Must Have Book for Novice Fiction Writers
Review: This book is a "must" for beginning fiction writers who want to write to publish stories. This book accomplishes its mission; it identifies many obvious mistakes that beginner writers make but ought to avoid--simple mistakes that could cause both editors or readers alike to reject a story and, ultimately, its author. My recommendation to a beginner fiction writer is to read this book now. I'd like to offer a backhanded compliment for this book, as well: //WARNING: if you are a person who just wants to read fiction for pleasure (and do not want to write fiction for profit), then don't read this book because it exposes the mystique of well-written fiction.// I am wildly enthusiastic about this book and am glad that Writer's Digest Books is still offering this gem. This book is well written in an easy-to-understand style. Bickham's examples are clear and meaningful. This book can be read and digested in small segments (each chapter ranges from 1 to three or four pages) or at one sitting. It can be used as a handy reference, tool, too. My copy is heavily highlighted for quick referral. I heartily look forward to reading other books on writing by Jack M. Bickham and will probably look for his novels, too (to study and hopefully enjoy as well).
Rating: 
Summary: Good advice
Review: This book presents a series of well thought-out and practical points on fiction writing. It is mostly targetted towards the novice writer, but probably most will find some useful information here. Particularly interesting are the following comments, which are elaborated upon in the book: How to start the action NOW without 'warming up', how to build strong characters by exaggerating traits, how to use 'stimulus and response', why NOT to use real life as a model for your books, and much more. For a more detailed treatise see also Gardner's 'Art of Fiction', which covers some of the points in more depth (and is generally better, but also much more complex and demanding).
Rating:
Summary: Essential for new writers!!.......
Review: when I first started creative writing a few years ago, this was one of the first guide books I picked up. Since then I've read and highlighted it numerous times because the points Bickham drives home are so critical. He gives excellent examples of each potential type of fiction writing mistake and also gives practical advice to writers.Some key points Bickham devotes chapters to: don't be a show off when you write, speak intelligently to your reader, don't use real people in your stories, don't forget sense impressions, don't ignore scene structure, don't wander around in a fog, etc. In each of the 38 chapters (one for each fiction writing mistake) he clearly and thoroughly discusses each mistake and makes it evident why such writing doesn't work. After reading this book, such errors become evident in your own work. I know mine started jumping right out at me. Bickham is also a motivator, telling would be writers to set a schedule and write, write, write and you will find success. He shows writers how to remain positive and assures them that giving up is the biggest and costliest writing mistake of all. Those who persist will succeed, he assures. Overall, I derived a good bit of elementary writing technique from this book and some motivation and encouragement. I'd recommend this book wholeheartedly to all beginning fiction writers.
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