Book Description
A bestseller through six editions, Writing Fiction by novelists Janet Burroway and Elizabeth Stuckey-French explores the elements of fiction, providing practical writing techniques and concrete examples. Written in a tone that is personal and non-prescriptive, the text encourages writers to develop proficiency through each step of the writing process, offering an abundance of exercises designed to spur writing and creativity. The text also integrates diverse contemporary short stories in every chapter in the belief that the reading of inspiring fiction goes hand-in-hand with the writing of fresh and exciting stories.
Thorough and practical discussions of all the major fictional elements offer students a comprehensive guide to the craft of writing stories. Topics include freewriting, plot, style, characterization, dialogue, time, place, imagery, and point of view.
For novice writers looking to develop proficiency.
Customer Reviews:
Solid guide to the craft.......2007-09-29
This book deserves some real estate on every writer's crowded bookshelf. Whether purchased for a class or for individual study, Burroway's book provides a solid grounding in scene construction, characterization, dialogue, point of view, and more, with readings to illustrate each lesson. This is a must-have manual for those seeking instruction in the elements of fiction.
Help for the writer's block writer.......2007-09-25
This book contains lots of helpful hints, projects and encouraging stories and words from other writers. If you're a writer, or just love the writing craft -- I seriously recommend this to you.
The Best!.......2007-08-27
This was the text in my Narrative Fiction Class in my MFA program in the 90s -- and I have kept it on my desk ever since!
This and John Dufresne's The Lie that Tells a Truth are invaluable companions to any writer of fiction.
Absolutely inpenetrable.......2007-08-01
I have always found this book to be pendantic, abstract, and utterly useless when it comes to actually writing. Unfortunately, teachers keep assigning it--so it sits on my shelf unless I am forced to reread another chapter. Otherwise, I'd recycle it--it's that pointless to what I'm trying to accomplish with my writing.
The SEVENTH edition of a classic.......2007-05-06
Unlike the reviews below, this review focuses on the current edition of the classic textbook on fiction-writing craft, Janet Burroway's WRITING FICTION.
Burroway notes in the preface of the current edition, the seventh, that "the idea of a text for writing fiction is itself problematic. Unlike such subjects as math and history, where a certain mass of information needs to be organized and conveyed, the writing of fiction is more often a process of trial and error--the learning is perpetual and, paradoxically, the writer needs to know everything at once. If a text is too prescriptive, it's not true to the immense variety of possibilities; if it's too anecdotal, it may be cheering but is unlikely to be of use." The author succeeds: it's eminently readable and it's not too prescriptive.
Looking at the table of contents of several previous editions, I see that Burroway has experimented with different sequential ordering of chapters. In the seventh edition, discussion of plot is relegated to chapter 7 (page 259); in the sixth edition, plot discussion began in chapter 2 (page 30). Very well, since the writer "needs to know everything at once," such experimentation can lead to a better text via the feedback the author regularly receives from numerous instructors of creative writing. Moreover, the new sequence is consistent with the author's focus on literary fiction, which, she notes "differs from genre fiction fundamentally in the fact that the former is character-driven, the latter plot-driven" (page 413).
The author clearly prefers literary fiction over genre fiction (which, she states, comprises detective story, science fiction, fantasy fiction, romance, adventure, spy, horror, and thriller). Why? "Writing literary fiction can teach you how to write good genre fiction, writing genre fiction does not teach you how to write good literary fiction--does not teach `how to write,' by which I mean how to be original and meaningful in words." Agreed. But I wonder why the book is not titled Writing Literary Fiction.
The seventh edition, like the previous editions, includes more than twenty-five short stories, most of them by contemporary writers such as Tobias Wolff, Joyce Carol Oates, and Tim O' Brien. These three stories were also in sixth edition. However, the seventh edition has dropped short-short stories altogether. I found writing short-shorts as a highly effective way of developing fiction-writing skills. (Inspired by the short-shorts in the sixth edition, I wrote five short-shorts, all of which have been accepted for publication in ZYZZYVA literary magazine's August 2007 issue.) The seventh edition's major short-coming is the dropping of short-shorts.
For learning to write literary fiction, I recommend first studying Burroway's IMAGINATIVE WRITING, and then her WRITING FICTION.
Average customer rating:
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Writers and Their Craft: Short Stories and Essays on the Narrative
Nicholas Delbanco
Manufacturer: Wayne State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 United States
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ASIN: 0814321933 |
Book Description
This is simply the best and most complete course in botanical illustration ever produced, with each chapter a perfectly constructed and self-contained class. Created in conjunction with the internationally renowned Eden Project—home of the only jungle in captivity—it’s put together by two leading figures in the Project’s famed art school, and uses many beautiful works from its students. Artists and plant lovers will find a wealth of practical information, with easy-to-follow exercises and case studies. The priceless advice encompasses everything from honing observational skills and plant dissection procedures to color mixing and applying watercolor. Adding highlights, producing a pleasing composition, and developing a personal style—all the building blocks for achieving excellence are here.
Customer Reviews:
Botanical illustration.......2007-05-12
This is an in depth clear book about the process of botanical illustration. Well written and great pictures. Recommend highly!
Average customer rating:
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Complementary Themes for Painting Techniques (Complete Course on Painting and Drawing)
Parramon Editorial Team
Manufacturer: Barrons Educational Series Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Drawing
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
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General
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
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Drawing
| Instructional & How-To
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Painting
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ASIN: 0764102664 |
Customer Reviews:
Well worth it..........2007-05-19
I don't often write reviews. I read them with each purchase and normally I don't feel the need to contradict others. I found that Bruce Bain's "pretend you never seen one before..." to be chilidish and absolutely off the mark. I am an art student and art appreciation major. When I first went to art class I was self-taught without instruction. This was a good thing. My first professor advised the class "Everything you learned before now forget. You learned it that wrong way! I will teach you the right way". It is just like this that the artist is telling you to forget your preconceived notions and look at subjects with a fresh eye. I picked up this book in the book store and ending up reading ten pages standing in the aisle before I knew it. Its a marvelous find. I highly recommend. I've always had problems drawing the human form and this was immensly helpful.
"pretend you've never seen one before..." .......2004-06-29
"Life Drawing Class" by Lucy Watson:
...begins Chapter 1 under the following headliner:
"When you start drawing figures, pretend you've never seen one before." -Lucy Watson
First of all, nobody needs to PRETEND anything, in order to draw. I mean I'm sorry, but most of us are already living in reality. We have SEEN figures before. and secondarily, if the answer to drawing is PRETENDING, why can't everyone just PRETEND to be able to draw and be done with it? The author's mindset here is absolutely silly with circular logic. This is like saying, "All you have to do to be able to learn to drive a car, is to *...pretend you've never seen one before.*
All I'm saying here is that if an author is going to give a tersely-worded command, articulating a fundamental rule for drawing, why can't it just be something that makes common sense?
An Author might say, "Take your time!" "Be patient." "Never, EVER, beat yourself up!" ....but no; we get, "Pretend you've never seen one before."
I suppose I'm suggesting a better standard for authorship; that is to say, that someone writing a book should be familiar with a subject, and that if somone is offering a rule or commandment as part of a METHOD, then it ought to reflect a more generalized common sense such as ordinary working people are familiar with.
I have continually in my mind, one particular rule regarding drawing instruction books. (this is my personal rule, but I find it critical in judging HOW-TO-DRAW books). THOU SHALT NOT, in a beginning drawing book, instruct the student in the use of color and painting. Learning simply to draw is fundamental, and requires the total dedication of most of any beginning book. Watson violates this rule with a foray into the use of color, halfway through this book, which at only 128 pages, is far too short on basic drawing. In my opinion it is the multitude of cloned books like Watson's that cause many beginners to give up drawing (and subsequently, painting as well) as a HOPELESS endeavour, and convince themselves that they just cannot "get it". In fact, it's a clear case of The-Instructor-Just-Cannot-Teach.
The illustrations of drawn figure models are stiff, lifeless and inarticulate. It is MASSIVELY overpriced with an exorbitant list price of $24.95. Is this for real??? Unbelieveable! A gross rip-off.
I think I'll simply take Lucy Watson's advise in Chapter #1 and "PRETEND" I never saw this book before.
A first-rate "how-to" instructional resource.......2003-07-19
Life Drawing Class: A Step-by-Step Course In Figure Drawing And Painting by artist and art educator Lucy Watson is a self-teaching or art education course supplement tool for learning how to draw representational art in a variety of different media, including charcoal, chalk pastel, white conte pencil, watercolor, and more. Color illustrations, examples of working from photographs, theory, and practice, all combine for a first-rate "how-to" instructional resource ideal for anyone seeking to improve human figure drawing skills.
Book Description
Written and designed for students and amateurs who already have some preliminary art training, this book instructs in a variety of media, including pencil, charcoal, crayon, and ink. Instruction and advice focus on drawing nudes, still life, and portraits. The theory of perspective is clearly presented.
Customer Reviews:
Basics.......2002-04-23
The Basics of Artistic Drawing is an OUTSTANDING book. I have learned so much and whenever I review the materiel I learn even more. There are so many helpful hints. It is a book that keeps teaching; if you have any questions just review the section on that topic and your question will more than likely be answered. With the step by step instructions anyone can learn how to draw, shade, and paint. I am very impressed. This is a well thoughtout course with the student in mind. A lot of course books have the teacher in mind, this book is definately made for me as the student. THANKS!!!
Book Description
This tutorial provides a clear view on the two most used images in the world of drawing and painting - seascapes and landscapes. Practical and well-illustrated exercises help beginning artists easily undertake creating these images with pencil or paint.
Book Description
This tutorial presents detailed information on materials and tools for oil painting, including basic oil techniques, glazing, oil sticks, and water-soluble oils. The lessons are thoroughly illustrated and are shown both in progress and completed.
Average customer rating:
- Wow!
- Got more than my money's worth
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The Complete Drawing and Painting Course: The Artist's Practical Guide to Media and Techniques
Manufacturer: Book Sales
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Drawing
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
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General
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
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Drawing
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
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ASIN: 0785808450 |
Customer Reviews:
Wow!.......2001-04-15
This book offers fresh and easy techniques, clear text, easy instructions--even I can understand them! (French was my first language) This book has taught me to draw, paint--anything and everything! Literally, it has everything! I'm not a great artist, I have gotten a lot better since I have purchased this book!
Got more than my money's worth.......2000-05-31
Wow! it should be called Encyclopedia for the painting artists, this bok really has Everything, it even has a seccion on frames, this book has that special cuality that it's not only a good but, but also a book that you reallly enjoy while you reading. The paper cuality is excellent, the text is clear and easy to follow (and my first language is not english but spanish), buy this book and begin expressing yourself. Let the artist in you flow as you read, It's and inspiration. A MUST HAVE IF YOU LIKE PAINTING
Book Description
An introduction to the fundamentals of pastel, this book is for aspiring artists who want to develop their creative side using one of the purest forms of colored pigment application. Lessons show artists how to easily draw marvelous trees, landscapes, sunsets, and much more using pastels.
Customer Reviews:
Really good book with a Real problem.......2007-03-08
I would like to give 5 stars, this book has a lot of content for a smallish volume. Especially when about 20% of it is actually another book! That is right, on page 73 (of 95 total), the publisher/printer has put in the pages from the oil painting book from the same series. I know as I have both works and the oil painting book has THIS book's ending and not its own - the reverse! In my travels have seen the same thing in 4 other of these books in Borders, etc. They just messed up at the printers.
So for me, it's just a little odd but I have both in their entirety, just not in the right books. Another thing is the English translation is stilted at times.
Still, I think this is a great book, excellent photos, logical approach and the artist is very skilled. Its just that to get the whole book you may need to buy the oil painting book too.
Books:
- XV Summer School and International Symposium on the Physics of Ionized Gases September 3-7, 1990, Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia: Invited Lectures
- 50 Years Progress in Crystal Growth: A Reprint Collection
- A Journey into Christian Art
- A Theory of /Cloud: Toward a History of Painting (Cultural Memory in the Present)
- Acoustic Waves: Devices, Imaging, and Analog Signal Processing (Prentice-Hall Signal Processing Series)
- Acrylics: The Watercolor Alternative
- Adsorption Phenomena and Anchoring Energy in Nematic Liquid Crystals (Liquid Crystals Book Series)
- Alternative Lithography: Unleashing the Potentials of Nanotechnology (Nanostructure Science and Technology)
- An Introduction to Inertial Confinement Fusion (Plasma Physics)
- Art and Experience in Classical Greece
Books Index
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Writing Poems
What If?: Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers (2nd Edition)
The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers
Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York's Acclaimed Creative Writing School
Imaginative Writing: The Elements of Craft (Penguin Academics Series)
