How to Write Best-Selling Fiction

By: James Scott Bell, The Great Courses

Narrated by: James Scott Bell

Most people think the way to write a best seller is to have a lot of talent and even more luck. As you will learn, there is a recipe for success, and luck may be the least important ingredient in creating a best seller.

When it comes to solving the mystery of what makes a best-selling novel, no one has cracked the code better than James Scott Bell. A best-selling author himself, winner of the International Thriller Writers Award and the Christy Award for Suspense, plus the author of the number-one best seller for writers, Plot & Structure, Mr. Bell has been teaching the principles of best-selling fiction for over 20 years, principles that apply to any genre or style.

In the 24 lectures of How to Write Best-Selling Fiction, Mr. Bell provides a comprehensive, eye-opening, and illuminating survey of the entire writing process, as well as a full breakdown of how best-selling authors such as Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Suzanne Collins, Janet Evanovich, and dozens of others have implemented best practices in their own writing.

From fun creative challenges to help you get started with unique plot and character ideas to how to format, package, and promote your finished material - with help dotting every "i" and crossing every "t" along the way - Mr. Bell offers an insightful, intimate, and extraordinarily revealing look at the elements that elevate a novel to become a best seller. Any aspiring author will gain a wealth of tools that will not only improve their ability to write, but will also increase their enjoyment of the craft.

The famous writer Somerset Maugham once said, “There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” And maybe no one knows the “rules”, but there are writing techniques, practices, and fundamentals that writers have used for decades to become best-selling authors. And just like Picasso, once you master the basics of your art, then you can create your own rules. With How to Write Best-Selling Fiction, you get an intimate introduction to the fundamentals of how to write your best seller, from a best-selling author who has mastered the secrets to success.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 The Great Courses (P)2019 The Teaching Company, LLC

Great, but would it kill them to name the chapters?

If you had to buy one Audiobook to become a writer, this would be my pick. It’s engaging, informative and full of useful information.
My one gripe, is that they don’t name the chapters/lectures. This “should” be a great reference for writers, but it’s held back by such a simple thing, adding informative chapter names would vastly increase the utility of this series of lectures.

A Lecture Series & Lecturer that will Inspire you!

I found this lecture series and it’s teacher to be of immense help. It’s hard to get yourself up in the morning to do anything half the time, but this audio book made a huge difference for me. It has encouraged me, not only to be a writer, but a creative in other areas of my life as well. Thank you James Scott Bell. I deeply appreciate you! (Be blessed sir)

The Best!

If you learn from only one source about writing novels this should be it. Believe me because I've gone through over 50 books on writing and you'll never find anything as complete and enjoyable as James Scott Bell's take on it.

The A-Z of Fiction Writing

Excellent for established writers looking to level up. He sets structure and direction for any writer though more experienced writers will have a better grasp.

So practical

Between the lectures and the PDF workbook, this is a detailed, practical, and motivating tool for writing my next book!

Great explanation of what it takes to be a successful writer.

This lecture series includes techniques, tactics and procedures both creatively and within the profession. While I’ve heard the same elements in other training and how-to books, these lectures here are a complete presentation of them for the noob and amateur to learn and review all in one place. Of course, I’d say that more succinctly by next week by applying tips from this series. Recommended to new, struggling, or hopeful writers.

great voice narration and excellent contents!

I bought this book trying to figure out how novels are written and thought I might give it a try. this book explains in colourful details how to construct "ingredients" of a successful novel, using examples from famous books and movies. although I haven't read some of the books, I could still understand the principles and methods. Full of aha moments and great joy to read whether to plan to write a book or not.

Great insights from great teacher & great courses

I am motivated to get going and give it a try. Lots of thoughtful tips

For those that want to understand the mechanics

This book was incredible. I'm a very logical thinker and cannot get myself passed "how to's" formulated using abstract metaphors. This book EXPLAINS how to write bestselling fiction in a way that made it clear and impactful for me. I highly recommend this how-to along with the other Great Course's how-to. Learn how to write, now!

Fantastic

Great information from start to finish. I want to listen to this twice a year just to reinforce the fundamentals.