Writing Fiction, Tenth Edition

A Guide to Narrative Craft

By: Janet Burroway, Elizabeth Stuckey-French, Ned Stuckey-French

Narrated by: Laural Merlington

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

A creative writer's shelf should hold at least three essential books: a dictionary, a style guide, and Writing Fiction. Janet Burroway's best-selling classic is the most widely used creative writing text in America, and for more than three decades, it has helped hundreds of thousands of students learn the craft.  

This new edition continues to provide advice that is practical, comprehensive, and flexible. Burroway's tone is personal and nonprescriptive, welcoming learning writers into the community of practiced storytellers. Moving from freewriting to final revision, the book addresses "showing not telling", characterization, dialogue, atmosphere, plot, imagery, and point of view. It includes new topics and writing prompts. And the examples and quotations throughout the book feature a wide and diverse range of today's best and best-known creators of both novels and short stories.  

This book is a master class in creative writing that also calls on us to renew our love of storytelling and celebrate the skill of writing well. There is a very good chance that one of your favorite authors learned the craft with Writing Fiction. And who knows what future favorite will get her start listening to this edition?

©2019 Janet Burroway, Elizabeth Stuckey-French, and Ned Stuckey-French (P)2019 Tantor

Great content!

This one is full with knowledge of the craft, and is very well constructed and conveyed. Highly recommended!
I didn't like the narration, though, which to me was dull and unengaging; but accelerating the playback speed to 1.20 or 1.25 did wonders.

A gem

I have an MA and a PhD in contemporary culture, and I’ve published novels and short stories. I’ve read several books on style and literary theory — and yet, this book is a really good read for a fiction writer. It’s solid theory, classically referenced and in direct, to-the-point insights. A round of applause also goes to the voice actor — smooth, firm and very memorable voice. This is a gem!

Why am I just finding this?

Absolutely terrific. I'm just miffed that I didn't stumble upon it much sooner than now. It might have made a world of difference. Nonetheless, I have it now and have devoured it and fully expect to do so again and again. The writing prompts really make things move. Often, ideas and their discovery, like rummaging around in an old and nearly-abandoned attic, come hard, covered in dust, excelsior, and cobwebs. This text is an industrial-strength leaf blower set on high. Pretty neat, and very friendly.

A Fiction Writer's must read

I learned so much from this book. I appreciate all of the insights. Toward the end of the book new ground but it is the opening that helped me most especially the first four chapters. It is read and reads well all the way through.

Impressed

I am actually impressed with this book. It gives you a lot to think about as well as a lot of knowledge without making you feel bored.

Engaging, thorough, provocative, welcome.

A seasoned telling of how to write. Much appreciated. From rudimentary guidance to very specific applications.

Horrible narration

The content is good so I tried to hang in there but....I didn't make it. The narration is so awful I thought it was robotic text to speech narration.

Worth The Time

Overall, this is one of the best crash course books about the craft you will find. The early chapters are especially useful having been updated for the times with fresh tips and perspectives. The quality of substance goes down a bit in the latter chapters and the ending seems to fizzle on an awkward ten page or so excerpt from one of the author’s own books. The excerpt does not clearly stand as an example of her point to the reader and instead feels like a plug for one of her books.

Amazing! Answered All My Questions!

I wish I could have found this book earlier... Extremely Helpful... Answered All My Questions! All writiers need this book in there library.

Learning to Write

Well read with loads of valuable advice and examples of good writing. Highy recommended to all writers.

Brilliant writing craft book, recommended by tutor

Comprehensive, practical guide to creative writing, and specifically novel writing. Chapters on all different aspects of novel writing from point of view, choice of words, characterisation, setting and lots more. Each chapter has loads of examples from real books from very varied and famous authors, as well as writing prompts and exercises you can use to try out the techniques explained. A must read for anyone starting out as an novel writer or on a writing course.

dull, boring and hard work

the headline of this review says it all really! There is very little to actually work with in this audiobook despite the length. There are much better books available on the craft so I'd advise you look to those.

A full course book

Many exercises included. Suggestions for stories to study specific lessons was useful.
Only gripe was the quotes scattered throughout—with few indications they had begun… would be different in a paperback.