Itching to write? Here's THE guidebook
I just pulled out my version of Janet Burroway's, Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft. Decades into my career, eight years after publishing a bestseller in Columbine, I still turn to this amazing book.
If you're just starting out with writing, or definitely if you've been toying with it but feel a bit rudderless, this is THE book. For anyone interested in writing — fiction or non — this is an amazing tool, which I highly recommend.
Each chapter takes you step by step through one core element: plot, character, setting, POV, etc. And while the examples are fiction, the exact same techniques apply to narrative nonfiction.
It's a classic, in its 9th edition, with heavy revisions each time. But I think the revisions are mainly just new writing examples, and there are a slew of them, short and long, which illustrate each point.
It's pricey, with new copies of the 9th edition selling for over $100! Just get a used version of a previous edition. I got the 8th, for about $20. Worth every penny.
Her website says this, and I'm pretty sure it's all true:
The classic text in fiction writing, Writing Fiction has been in print for thirty-two years and is the most widely used creative writing text in America.
I also include this on my Advice for Writers page.
This guidebook concept is intriguing! How do you think personal experiences shape the advice writers give? Can't wait to see how these insights apply in different genres! fnaf 3 game
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I love that you still go back to Burroway after all these years—that's the mark of a truly great craft book. The chapter-by-chapter breakdown of plot, character, and POV is exactly what I needed when I was starting out, and honestly, I still flip through my dog-eared copy when I feel stuck. Speaking of feeling stuck, I've also been using a scroll test online at inputbench.com to check my mouse wheel when my hands start cramping from too much typing—kind of a weird tangent, but it's one of those little tools that keeps my setup from distracting me from the actual writing. Anyway, totally agree that a used older edition is the way to go; no need to drop a…
This guidebook by Janet Burroway is invaluable for both budding and seasoned writers. It breaks down essential elements of writing in a clear way—definitely a must-read! Check out Paint Hide and Seek for more insights.