The core dramatic unit of any novel is the scene. Writers use scenes to contain the novel's action and explore its characters. In this book, novelist and collegiate writing instructor Raymond Obstfeld vibrantly explains every aspect of constructing these vital elements and shows how to apply those techniques to create specific types - action scenes, comic scenes, sex scenes and more. He then reveals how to link these scenes to form powerful novels. Obstfeld delivers advice born from years of writing and teaching experience in a fresh, witty voice perfectly suited to today's busy reader. Writers of any type of fiction will find quick remedies to their prose woes with his unique exercises and gorgeous use of examples from contemporary novels and films. Accessible to beginning writers, yet also appealing to more seasoned authors, The Novelist's Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes will be the next classic writing manual all novelists will want on their shelves.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
The Name says it All.:
The book gets right to the point and offers much valuable advice on the art of crafting scenes.
So many little gems:
This book is a great asset to any writer's library. Rather than give out a list of rules, this book focuses on making you aware of your options and drives home the important aspect of focus itself. The author helps you to focus on the purpose of each scene and gives you options for ways to deal with aspects of that scene (description, length, etc.) I've read a lot of books about writing. I didn't think there was much more for me to find here. I was wrong. I've had many lightbulb moments while reading this... more info
A Good Resource For Writers:
Whether you are a beginning writer or a veteran, this book can be a big help. Raymond Obstfeld points out common mistakes writers make, while at the same time gently guiding the reader down the path to better writing. From knowing how long to make a scene to creating the right mix of action and suspense in a chapter, this book is full of usefull tips and absolute rules of the trade. The book is easy to read, easy to comprehend, and full of great advice. There are TIP highlights and Instant Workshop... more info
How to stifle a talking head!:
Raymond Obstfeld has written over thirty-five books, ten screenplays and innumerable short stories and poems. He has written literary, mainstream, and genre novels; he also teaches writing at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California. Obstfeld views the scene as a mini-story; it should have a beginning, middle, and an end; it should build to a climax; it should provide resolution. He shows how to use dialogue, point of view, or description to begin a scene as well as such techniques as "in medias... more info
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