The Art of Fiction
by John Gardner
Gardner's notes for young writers on the fictional dream, common errors, plotting, and the craft of sentences, with exercises at the back. Opinionated and sometimes severe, it remains one of the most respected craft books.
Read it if…
you are a serious beginning novelist who wants a demanding teacher.
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Skip it if…
you want encouragement; Gardner gives standards.
Try instead: The Knowledge →
Three things you will actually use
- Never break the fictional dream.
- Specific detail creates belief.
- Revision is where fiction is made.
Do this first
Do the first three exercises in the appendix before writing anything new.
Our verdict
Respected and severe.
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