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Writing Fiction For Dummies

Written by Randy Ingermanson,Peter Economy

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397 pages, about 8 hours of reading

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About this book

A complete guide to writing and selling your novel So you want to write a novel? Great! That’s a worthy goal, no matter what your reason. But don’t settle for just writing a novel. Aim high. Write a novel that you intend to sell to a publisher. Writing Fiction for Dummies is a complete guide designed to coach you every step along the path from beginning writer to royalty-earning author. Here are some things you’ll learn in Writing Fiction for Dummies: Strategic Planning: Pinpoint where you are on the roadmap to publication; discover what every reader desperately wants from a story; home in on a marketable category; choose from among the four most common creative styles; and learn the self-management methods of professional writers. Writing Powerful Fiction: Construct a story world that rings true; create believable, unpredictable characters; build a strong plot with all six layers of complexity of a modern novel; and infuse it all with a strong theme. Self-Editing Your Novel: Psychoanalyze your characters to bring them fully to life; edit your story structure from the top down; fix broken scenes; and polish your action and dialogue. Finding An Agent and Getting Published: Write a query letter, a synopsis, and a proposal; pitch your work to agents and editors without fear. Writing Fiction For Dummies takes you from being a writer to being an author. It can happen—if you have the talent and persistence to do what you need to do.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Writing Fiction For Dummies, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • beginner
  • informative
  • practical
  • encouraging

Writing Fiction For Dummies is a comprehensive guide designed to transform aspiring writers into published authors. It meticulously covers the entire journey, from strategic planning and story conception to crafting compelling narratives, rigorous self-editing, and navigating the complexities of finding an agent and securing a publishing deal. The book aims to equip readers with practical tools and professional insights, guiding them through every step required to write a marketable novel and achieve royalty-earning status, emphasizing both the creative and commercial aspects of authorship.

Aim high. Write a novel that you intend to sell to a publisher.

Key themes

The Craft of Storytelling
This core principle focuses on the fundamental techniques and structures required to build a compelling narrative. It encompasses world-building, character development, plot construction, and thematic infusion, emphasizing the technical skills necessary to captivate a reader and create a cohesive story.
The Publishing Journey
This theme covers the practical steps and industry knowledge required to transition from a completed manuscript to a published book. It includes the mechanics of querying, drafting proposals, and interacting with agents and editors, demystifying the path to publication and empowering writers to navigate the industry confidently.
Strategic Market Awareness
This theme highlights the importance of understanding the publishing industry and reader expectations even before writing begins. It encourages writers to consider market categories, target audiences, and the commercial viability of their work to increase their chances of publication and sales, treating writing as both an art and a business.

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