Let's Get Creative
Writing Fiction that Sells!
By William F. Nolan
Quill Driver Books, (2007) Standard Print Edition
ISBN: 1884956505
Genre: Writing & Publishing
Reviewed by Auggie Moore - October 1, 2007
William F. Nolan, the author of Logan's Run and more than 80 other books and more than 1,500 short stories and articles, has crafted an outstanding guide to the art and craft of writing sellable fiction. His guidebook, entitled Let's Get Creative:
Writing Fiction that Sells! is one of the best primers for beginning fiction writers that I've come across.
In writing this book, Nolan shares his years of experience in writing in a diverse range of fiction genres, including fantasy, science fiction, westerns, mystery, horror, as well as television and screen writing. In so doing, he manages to not only explain how to handle writing techniques such as conflict, characterization, plotting, and dialog, but also why it is beneficial to follow his advice. It is a case of he's been there, done that, and made some mistakes along the way - and now you can receive the benefit of his hard earned education - and hopefully avoid some of the common mistakes made by new writers.
The text is organized into six sections:
Advice to Beginning Writers
A Writer's Material and Tools
Character Development
Techniques for Writing Fiction
Writing Screenplays
Selling Your Writing
Throughout Let's Get Creative:
Writing Fiction that Sells!, Nolan not only offers sage writing advice, but he also presents a clear and honest look at what goes into the making of a professional writing, and he presents a truthful appraisal of the inherent difficulties that exist in getting your work published. He also provides the encouragement and inspiration that you need to start writing - and to continue writing even when you get discouraged or hit a snag in your story. In short, if you are serious about writing fiction, and getting your work published - you have to read this book. It will not only open your eyes to the realities of the writing life, but it will provide you with a solid foundation upon which to perfect your writing techniques. I highly recommend this book to all fiction writers.
Related Reviews:
The Lost Saranac Interviews, by Joe David Bellamy and Connie Bellamy.
Forgotten Conversations with Famous Writers: Contains the complete transcripts of interviews with famous writers, including Joyce Carol Oats, Margaret Atwood, Annie Dillard, and E.L. Doctorow. These interviews were conducted between 1976-1980, during the Saranac Writer's Conference.
The Mind of Your Story: Discover What Drives Your Fiction, by Lisa Lenard-Cook.
This book provides a master class on writing fiction that guides you through the entire writing process from developing a story idea to revising your novel.
