{"product_id":"writing-fiction-for-dummies-isbn-9780470530702","title":"Writing Fiction For Dummies","description":"\u003cb\u003eA complete guide to writing and selling your novel\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSo you want to write a novel?\u003c\/b\u003e 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. \u003ci\u003eWriting Fiction for Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e 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 \u003ci\u003eWriting Fiction for Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eStrategic Planning\u003c\/b\u003e: 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.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWriting Powerful Fiction\u003c\/b\u003e: 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.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSelf-Editing Your Novel\u003c\/b\u003e: 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.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFinding An Agent and Getting Published\u003c\/b\u003e: Write a query letter, a synopsis, and a proposal; pitch your work to agents and editors without fear.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eWriting Fiction For Dummies\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e takes you from being a \u003ci\u003ewriter\u003c\/i\u003e to being an \u003ci\u003eauthor.\u003c\/i\u003e It can happen—if you have the talent and persistence to do what you need to do.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntroduction 1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbout This Book 1\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConventions Used In This Book 2\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat You’re Not to Read 2\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFoolish Assumptions 3\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHow This Book is Organized 3\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart I: Getting Ready to Write Fiction 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart II: Creating Compelling Fiction 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart III: Editing and Polishing Your Story and Characters 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart IV: Getting Published 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart V: The Part of Tens 5\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIcons Used in This Book 5\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere to Go from Here 5\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart I: Getting Ready to Write Fiction 7\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 1: Fiction Writing Basics 9\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSetting Your Ultimate Goal as a Writer 11\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePinpointing Where You are as a Writer 13\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFreshmen: Concentrating on craft 13\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSophomores: Tackling the proposal 14\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJuniors: Perfecting their pitches 15\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeniors: Preparing to become authors 16\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGetting Yourself Organized 17\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMastering Characterization, Plotting, and Other Skills 18\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEditing Your Fiction 18\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 2: What Makes a Great Story? 21\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChoosing What to Give Your Readers 22\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating a powerful emotional experience: What your readers desperately want 22\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEducating your reader 23\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePracticing the gentle art of persuasion 24\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking Life Hard on Your Characters: Conflict Plus Change Equals Story 25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Five Pillars of Fiction 26\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSetting the stage: Your story world 27\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating characters 28\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConstructing the plot 28\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFormulating a theme 30\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExpressing your style 31\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeven Ways to Deliver the Goods 31\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe here and now: Action 32\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGiving your characters a voice: Dialogue 33\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRevealing thoughts: Interior monologue 33\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeeling with your character: Interior emotion 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeeing what your character sees: Description 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaking a trip to the past: Flashback 35\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSupplying narrative summary 35\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 3: Finding Your Audience and Category 37\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying Your Ideal Novel 38\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking at what you love to read 38\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThinking about what you love to write 39\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDefining Your Ideal Reader 40\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsidering worldview and interests 41\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking at gender 42\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWriting for readers of a certain age 43\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDefining your niche 43\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding Your Category 43\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenres: Surveying categories based on content 45\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding audience-based categories 50\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePicking your category and subcategory 52\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding Your Category’s Requirements 53\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTargeting your word count 54\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccounting for major characters 54\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDetermining levels of action, romance, and all that 55\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying your story’s emotional driver 58\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 4: Four Ways to Write a Great Novel 59\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGiving Yourself Permission to Write Badly 59\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreative Paradigms: Investigating Various Writing Methods 61\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWriting without planning or editing 61\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEditing as you go 62\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlanning a little, writing a little 63\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOutlining before you write 64\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding a Creative Paradigm that Works for You 65\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding why method matters 66\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeveloping your creative paradigm 67\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing Your Creative Paradigm to Find Your Story Structure 69\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 5: Managing Your Time and Yourself 71\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding Time to Write 71\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEstablishing and sticking to a writing goal — for this week and this year 72\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrganizing your time 74\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSetting Up Your Ideal Writing Space 75\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSecuring the best writing surface 76\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding the right chair 76\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChoosing a computer (if you want to use one) 77\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePutting everything in place 78\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDealing with Distractions 79\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking at Money Matters 80\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBudgeting money for writing 81\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking your living as a writer: Don’t expect this to be your day job (yet) 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart II: Creating Compelling Fiction 85\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 6: Building Your Story World: The Setting for Your Story 87\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying the Parts of a Story World 88\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating a Sense of Place 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaking description do double duty 90\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFitting description in the story 91\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeaving emotive force into your descriptions 92\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeciding What Drives Your Cultural Groups 93\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRevealing cultural drivers with immediate scene 93\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExposition: Explaining cultural drivers through narrative summary 94\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCombining various elements to show cultural drivers 95\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChoosing the Backdrop for Conflict 95\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDefining your backdrop 95\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDefining your story question 98\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStory World Examples from Four Well-Known Novels 98\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePride and Prejudice 98\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Pillars of the Earth 99\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePatriot Games 100\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnder’s Game101\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eResearching Your Story World 102\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying what you need to know about your story world 102\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowing how much research is enough 104\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeing Able to Explain Your Story World to Sell Your Book 106\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 7: Creating Compelling Characters 107\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDefining Roles: Deciding Who Goes in Your Novel 107\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBackstory: Giving Each Character a Past 109\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding why backstory matters 109\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreating your character’s backstory 110\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoiding stereotypes 111\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMotivation: Looking to Your Character’s Future 112\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eValues: Core truths for your character 113\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmbitions: Getting abstract, or why Miss America wants “world peace” 115\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStory goals: Your story’s ultimate driver 115\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEstablishing your character’s motivation 117\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePoint of View (POV): Getting Some Perspective on Character 121\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFirst-person POV 122\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThird-person POV 124\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eObjective third-person POV 125\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHead-hopping POV.126\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOmniscient POV 127\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSecond-person POV 128\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChoosing between Past and Present Tense 129\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRevealing Your Characters to the Reader 131\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 8: Storyline and Three-Act Structure: The Top Layers of Your Plot 135\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGiving the Big Picture of Story Structure: Your Storyline 135\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding the value of a storyline 136\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWriting a great storyline 137\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExamples: Looking at storylines for 20 best-selling novels 140\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThree-Act Structure: Setting Up Three Disasters 145\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking at the value of a three-act structure 145\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTiming the acts and disasters 147\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntroducing a great beginning 148\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe end of the beginning: Getting commitment with the first disaster 148\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSupporting the middle with a second major disaster 149\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeading to the end: Tackling the third disaster 150\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWrapping up: Why endings work — or don’t 151\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSummarizing Your Three-Act Structure for Interested Parties 153\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExamples: Summarizing the Matarese Circle and Pride and Prejudice 153\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDescribing your own three-act structure 155\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 9: Synopsis, Scene List, and Scene: Your Middle Layers of Plot 157\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeciding Which Order to Work In 157\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWriting the Synopsis 158\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaking it from the top: Fleshing out your three-act structure 159\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBottoms up! Building around sequences of scenes 160\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowing how much detail you need 161\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExample: A synopsis of Ender’s Game 161\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeveloping Your Scene List 163\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTop-down: Fleshing out your synopsis 163\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBottom-up: Summarizing your manuscript 164\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExample: A scene list of Ender’s Game 165\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExtending your scene list 167\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSetting Up the Structure of Individual Scenes 167\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSetting the proactive scene 168\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing up with the reactive scene 170\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComing full circle with your scenes 173\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScene structure in Gone with the Wind 173\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScene structure in Patriot Games 174\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 10: Action, Dialogue, and More: The Lowest Layer of Your Plot 177\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing Seven Core Tools for Showing and Telling 178\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAction 179\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDialogue 180\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInterior emotion 183\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInterior monologue 184\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDescription 186\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFlashback 189\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNarrative summary and other forms of telling 192\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Secret of Showing 194\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSorting it all out 194\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding the two kinds of clips 196\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWriting public clips 197\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWriting private clips 197\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePutting cause and effect together 199\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 11: Thinking Through Your Theme 203\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding Why Your Theme Matters 203\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking at why writers include themes in their novels 204\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExamining the features of a theme 205\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExample themes for 20 novels 205\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeciding When to Identify Your Theme 209\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding Your Theme 210\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFaking it till you make it 210\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReading your own novel for the first time 211\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eListening to your characters 212\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing test readers 212\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMust you have a theme? 212\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRefining Your Theme 213\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart III: Editing and Polishing Your Story and Characters 215\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 12: Analyzing Your Characters 217\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe High-Level Read-Through: Preparing Yourself to Edit 218\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeveloping a Bible for Each Character 219\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhysical traits 221\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmotional and family life 221\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntellectual and work life.222\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBackstory and motivation.222\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePsychoanalyzing Your Characters 223\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAre values in conflict? 223\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDo the values make sense from the backstory? 224\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDoes ambition follow from values? 226\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWill the story goal satisfy the ambition? 227\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Narrator: Fine-Tuning Point-of-View and Voice 228\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDoes your POV strategy work? 228\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHave you chosen the right POV character? 232\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIs your POV consistent? 233\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDoes your character have a unique voice? 233\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFixing Broken Characters 234\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBoring characters 234\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShallow characters 234\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnbelievable characters 235\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlikeable characters 236\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 13: Scrutinizing Your Story Structure 239\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEditing Your Storyline 240\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRemoving all unnecessary weight 240\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKeeping your characters anonymous 241\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStaying focused 241\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCutting down some example storylines 241\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTesting Your Three-Act Structure 244\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat are your three disasters? 246\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAre your acts balanced in length? 247\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe beginning: Does it accelerate the story? 248\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe first disaster: Is the call to action clear? 249\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe second disaster: Does it support the long middle? 250\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe third disaster: Does it force the ending? 252\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe ending: Does it leave your reader wanting to tell others? 253\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScene List: Analyzing the Flow of Scenes 255\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRearranging your scenes 255\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForeshadowing: Planting clues to prepare readers 256\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePutting it all together as a second draft 257\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 14: Editing Your Scenes for Structure 259\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTriage: Deciding Whether to Fix, Kill, or Leave a Scene Alone 260\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentifying ailing scenes 260\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEvaluating a scene’s chances of recovery 261\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFixing Proactive Scenes 262\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImagining a proactive scene: The Day of the Jackal 262\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChecking for change 263\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChoosing a powerful goal 263\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStretching out the conflict 264\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDesperately seeking setbacks 265\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExamining the final result 266\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFixing Reactive Scenes 267\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImagining a reactive scene: Outlander 267\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChecking for change (again) 268\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFitting the reaction to the setback 268\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWorking through the dilemma 269\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComing to a decision 270\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComing to the final result 270\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKilling an Incurable Scene 271\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 15: Editing Your Scenes for Content 273\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeciding Whether to Show or Tell 274\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowing when clips, flashbacks, or telling techniques are most appropriate 274\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFollowing an example of decision-making 275\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA Good Show: Editing Clips 277\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGuidelines for editing clips 278\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFixing mixed clips 279\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFixing unintentional head-hopping 280\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFixing out-of-body experiences 282\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFixing cause-effect problems 283\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFixing time-scale problems 284\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGetting In and Out of Flashbacks 286\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEditing Telling 287\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTightening text and adding color 288\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowing when to kill a segment of telling 289\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart IV: Getting Published 291\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 16: Getting Ready to Sell Your Book: Polishing and Submitting 293\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePolishing Your Manuscript 294\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTeaming with critique buddies 294\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJoining critique groups 295\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWorking with freelance editors 296\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHiring freelance proofreaders 297\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLooking at Three Common Legal Questions 298\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeciding between Traditional Publishing and Self-Publishing 299\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding how traditional publishers work 299\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding how self-publishing works 301\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeware the vanity publishers! 302\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur recommendation 303\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFirst Contact: Writing a Query Letter 303\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePiecing Together a Proposal 306\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeciding what to include 306\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYour cover letter: Reminding the agent who you are 307\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYour title page 307\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe executive summary page 308\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarket analysis: Analyzing your competition 309\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYour author bio 309\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharacter sketches 310\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe dreaded synopsis 311\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYour marketing plan 311\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYour writing, including sample chapters (or whole manuscripts!) 312\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 17: Approaching Agents and Editors 315\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDefining the Roles of Agents and Editors 315\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinding the Best Agent for You 316\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeciding whether you need an agent 316\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDoing your homework on agents first 317\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContacting agents to pitch your work 320\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEditors, the Center of Your Writing Universe 322\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTargeting a publishing house 323\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChoosing which editor to contact 324\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContacting editors directly 324\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart V: The Part of Tens 327\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 18: Ten Steps to Analyzing Your Story 329\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStep 1: Write Your Storyline 330\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStep 2: Write Your Three-Act Structure 330\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStep 3: Define Your Characters 331\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStep 4: Write a Short Synopsis 332\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStep 5: Write Character Sketches 332\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStep 6: Write a Long Synopsis 332\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStep 7: Create Your Character Bible 333\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStep 8: Make Your Scene List 333\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStep 9: Analyze Your Scenes 334\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eStep 10: Write and Edit Your Story 335\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 19: Ten Reasons Novels are Rejected 337\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Category is Wrong 338\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBad Mechanics and Lackluster Writing 339\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Target Reader Isn’t Defined 339\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Story World is Boring 340\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Storyline is Weak 340\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Characters Aren’t Unique and Interesting 341\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Author Lacks a Strong Voice 341\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Plot is Predictable 342\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Theme is Overbearing 343\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Book Fails to Deliver a Powerful Emotional Experience 343\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 345\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\"... an easy-to-follow guide providing step-by-step instructions....\" (\u003cem\u003eWriters Forum,\u003c\/em\u003e December 2009)   \u003cb\u003eRandy Ingermanson\u003c\/b\u003e is the award-winning author of six novels. He is known around the world as \"the Snowflake Guy,\" thanks to his Web site article on the Snowflake method, which has been viewed more than a million times. Before venturing into fiction, Randy earned a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of California at Berkeley. Randy has taught fiction at numerous writing conferences and sits on the advisory board of American Christian Fiction Writers. He also publishes the world’s largest e-zine on how to write fiction, The Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine. Randy’s first two novels won Christy awards, and his second novel \u003ci\u003eOxygen\u003c\/i\u003e, coauthored with John B. Olson, earned a spot on the New York Public Library’s \u003ci\u003eBooks for the Teen Age\u003c\/i\u003e list. Visit Randy’s personal Web site at www.ingermanson.com and his Web site for fiction writers at www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePeter Economy\u003c\/b\u003e of La Jolla, California, is a bestselling author with 11 \u003ci\u003eFor Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e titles under his belt, including two second editions and one third edition. Peter is coauthor of \u003ci\u003eWriting Children’s Books For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eHome-Based Business For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eConsulting For Dummies\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eWhy Aren’t You Your Own Boss?\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Management Bible\u003c\/i\u003e, and many more books. Peter also serves as Associate Editor of \u003ci\u003eLeader to Leader\u003c\/i\u003e, the Apex Award-winning journal of the Leader to Leader Institute. Check out Peter’s Web site at www.petereconomy.com.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eWriting a novel can be a daunting process — it will challenge you, stretch you, and change you. Whether you've never written fiction before or are looking to brush up your skills and learn new techniques for crafting your words, Writing Fiction For Dummies gives you savvy advice on navigating the entire writing process and turning your ideas into a well-written, marketable book.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eEstablishing an ideal writing environment — discover how to set aside enough time and an ideal location for your writing\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eGetting ready to write fiction — pinpoint your location on the road to publication, and set your strategic and tactical goals to get your novel published\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscovering the principles of writing powerful fiction — build a realistic story world, envision unique and exciting characters, craft the layers of your plot, and grow a theme organically\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eEditing and polishing your story and characters — put on your editing hat and analyze your characters, scrutinize your story structure, and edit your scenes to get your novel in tip-top shape\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eGetting published — learn how to write query letters and book proposals that will ignite an agent's or editor's enthusiasm and help sell your novel to the right publisher\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eOpen the book and find:\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eYour strategic roadmap to getting published\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eHelp in choosing your category\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTips for building a believable plot\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eGuidelines for creating three-dimensional characters\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eExamples of storylines that spotlight a novel's high concept\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003ePros and cons of various publishing methods\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdvice on finding the right agent and publisher\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"For Dummies","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47990510715109,"sku":"NP9780470530702","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780470530702.jpg?v=1761788119","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/writing-fiction-for-dummies-isbn-9780470530702","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}