Items related to Plotting and writing suspense fiction
Synopsis
Patricia Highsmith, author of "Strangers on a Train, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Found in the Street," and many other books, known as one of the finest living suspense novelists. In this book, she analyzes the key elements of suspense fiction, drawing upon her own experience in four decades as a writer. She talks, among other topics, about how to develop a complete story from an idea; what makes a plot gripping; the use and abuse of coincidence; characterization and the "likeable criminal"; going from first draft to final draft; and writing the suspense short story.
Anyone who wishes to write crime and suspense fiction, or who enjoys reading it, will find this book an insightful guide to the craft and art of a modern master.
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Review
Suspense, like other genre fiction, is often assumed to be inferior in quality to more "serious" fiction. A suspense story can be every bit as well-wrought as any other, argues Patricia Highsmith in Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction. To show how, Highsmith focuses as much on her failures as on her successes. Amid discussions about growing ideas, story development, plotting, first and second drafts, and revisions are anecdotes from Highsmith's own career. Highsmith (Strangers on a Train) admits to editing with crayon (doing so "gives one the proper cavalier attitude"), napping on the job (it helps solve problems), and having written one "really dull" book. Though this book is slim, there are some lovely thoughts on such issues as creating a murderer-hero with "pleasant qualities," "stretch[ing] the reader's credulity," and using "as much care in depicting the face and appearance of ... main characters" as a painter would with a portrait. --Jane Steinberg
About the Author
The great mystery/suspense writer Patricia Highsmith published more than two dozen works of fiction, as well as numerous reviews and essays, and was awarded the French Grand Prix de Littérature Policière (1957) and the British Crime Writers Associations's Silver Dagger (1964).
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherThe Writer
- Publication date1981
- ISBN 10 0871161257
- ISBN 13 9780871161253
- BindingHardcover
- LanguageEnglish
- Number of pages145
- Rating
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Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction. New Revised Edition.
Published by
The WRITER, INC., Boston, 1981
ISBN 10: 0871161257
ISBN 13: 9780871161253
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. First Edition; First Printing. First Revised edition. Review copy. (Printed slip laid-in) INSCRIBED and dated in 1988 by Patricia Highsmith to Pulitzer Prize winning journalist David Streitfeld on half-title. Fine in fine dust jacket. ; 5 3/4" x 8 1/2"; 145 pages. Seller Inventory # 3115437
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