Writing Fiction

"I find Writing Fiction to be one of the finest books I've read on the various elements concerned with fiction writing. The information is simply put and to the point, and the exercises and excellent examples offer students a chance to see precisely how that information applies in their own and others' stories. I intend to incorporate this book into my creative writing class in the fall."—Neil Harrison, English Department, Northeast Community College (Nebraska)

"The best book on writing fiction any of us have ever used. I've been teaching creative writing for six years now, and have used several texts, and the Gotham [Writing Fiction volume] is superior in several areas. It neither talks down to students nor over their heads; it provides solid instruction in a humorous manner; it is cheaper than most other texts of this sort (an important consideration for most of our students); it is written by several authors rather than just one; it distills John Gardner's classic text [on this topic]; and, lastly, the GWW website is a fabulous additional resource for students and staff alike. We love Writing Fiction. I'll never use anything else."—Deidre Schoolcraft, Creative Writing Instructor, Pikes Peak Community College (Colorado)

"Writing Fiction is unlike any so-called 'creative writing' text I've encountered. It deals with any question a fictioneer at any level of development might have, but in a refreshing, nuts-and-bolts manner. This book has a vividness that somehow captures the excitement and fellowship in good writers' workshops. I've clearly found a new book to use in my own writing classes. This is a fine guide."—Chuck Kinder, Writing Program Director, University of Pittsburgh

"Excellent . . . The strength of this book is its accessibility: It explains all the basics of writing fiction in a simple, easy-to-understand manner that doesn't intimidate . . . It tells you all you need to know to begin writing fiction. Reading this book is a lot like taking a basic creative writing class . . . You'll learn a lot if you pay attention and put these lessons into practice."—Chuck Leddy, The Writer

"Here is an honest, engaging guide with lessons every writer, at any stage, will benefit from. I read it just after I'd finished writing my second book. Now I'm inspired to begin a third."—Jhumpa Lahiri, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Interpreter of Maladies

"Writing Fiction is a boon for established and aspiring writers alike—a thorough explication of the craft. Unlike superficial 'How-Tos,' The Gotham Writers' Workshop doesn't promise the moon, but instead provides terrific in-flight instructions."—Katherine Hall Page, author of the Faith Fairchild mystery series

"Writing Fiction is at once a utilitarian guide to writing and a capacious consideration of literature, breaking the best of modern-era fiction into its principal parts. It's an incredible book, not just for the aspiring writer but for the ardent reader as well."—Michael Ray, Senior Editor, Zoetrope: All-Story

"The faculty of the Gotham Writers' Workshop—which now has 6,000 students not only in New York City but around the world (with online classes)—use an original approach in this how-to: Raymond Carver's classic story 'Cathedral' (reprinted in the book) serves as a basis for their discussion of technique. The contributors are not household names, but all are published authors of fiction. Chapters touch on all the essentials: character development, pacing, dialogue and revision ('Real Writers Revise' the chapter title exhorts). All expand on the idea that '[g]ood writing comes down to craft far more than most people realize,' while also reminding aspiring authors that 'rules are made to be broken.' The writing is fresh and full of concrete advice (e.g., 'Desire is in the heart of every dimensional character'), and exercises allow students to explore what they have learned. This is an excellent starting place for someone exploring the art and craft of writing fiction."—Publishers Weekly