This book offers the tricks of the trade to writing compelling, concise fiction. So you want to write a novel? This easy-to-follow guide provides step-by-step instruction on everything an aspiring writer needs to know, from conducting research to crafting a unique manuscript to finding an agent. Even if you've had no formal training, this hands-on resource will show you how to get your ideas down and make your publishing dreams come true. Inside you'll find expert guidance in how and what to research; how to devise a plot; ways to use engaging dialogue and voice, and much more. You'll discover how to make your words jump off the page, create characters that resonate, and put together your manuscript for submission to publishers. Plus, you'll see how to plan a daily writing schedule and overcome writer's block. The book features easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions in writing a compelling novel and preparing it for the publishing world; teaches you how to effectively read fiction in order to enhance your writing skills; helps you structure, format, and present your proposal or manuscript; and, explains business practices between authors, agents, publishers, and booksellers. Whether you're starting a first draft or trying to finish your novel, "Writing Fiction For Dummies" is your savvy guide to navigating the entire publishing process and turning your dream into a well-written, saleable book.

About the Author

Randy Ingermanson 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 Oxygen, coauthored with John B. Olson, earned a spot on the New York Public Library's Books for the Teen Age list. Visit Randy's personal Web site at www.ingermanson.com and his Web site for fiction writers at www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com. Peter Economy of La Jolla, California, is a bestselling author with 11 For Dummies titles under his belt, including two second editions and one third edition. Peter is coauthor of Writing Children's Books For Dummies, Home-Based Business For Dummies, Consulting For Dummies, Why Aren't You Your Own Boss?, The Management Bible, and many more books. Peter also serves as Associate Editor of Leader to Leader, the Apex Award-winning journal of the Leader to Leader Institute. Check out Peter's Web site at www.petereconomy.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Part I: Getting Ready to Write Fiction. Chapter 1: Fiction Writing Basics. Chapter 2: What Makes a Great Story? Chapter 3: Finding Your Audience and Category. Chapter 4: Four Ways to Write a Great Novel. Chapter 5: Managing Your Time ... and Yourself. Part II: Creating Compelling Fiction. Chapter 6: Building Your Story World: The Setting for Your Story. Chapter 7: Creating Compelling Characters. Chapter 8: Storyline and Three-Act Structure: The Top Layers of Your Plot. Chapter 9: Synopsis, Scene List, and Scene: Your Middle Layers of Plot. Chapter 10: Action, Dialogue, and More: The Lowest Layer of Your Plot. Chapter 11: Thinking Through Your Theme. Part III: Editing and Polishing Your Story and Characters. Chapter 12: Analyzing Your Characters. Chapter 13: Scrutinizing Your Story Structure. Chapter 14: Editing Your Scenes for Structure. Chapter 15: Editing Your Scenes for Content. Part IV: Getting Published. Chapter 16: Getting Ready to Sell Your Book: Polishing and Submitting. Chapter 17: Approaching Agents and Editors. Part V: The Part of Tens. Chapter 18: Ten Steps to Analyzing Your Story. Chapter 19: Ten Reasons Novels Are Rejected. Index.

Reviews

‘…an easy-to-follow guide providing step-by-step instructions…' (Writers Forum, December 2009).