Literary Forensics: How Reading Can Make You a Better Writer is a unique reference book that breaks into simple steps what it takes to become a better reader-that is, to help you read like the writer you want to become. Organized into 25 major topics and containing dozens of exercises, Literary Forensics is cross-referenced with a 200-term glossary and an extensive index to help readers identify, investigate, and absorb the writing techniques uncovered in their reading. The book's central premise is that by applying a "forensic" mindset to the act of reading-uncovering the underlying techniques, choices, and tricks that an author employs-writers can turn any published novel into a practical textbook. This methodology is built around twenty-five independent chapters/topics, grouped into four categories of discovery: how a reader's unique perspective influences their reading, the importance of monitoring one's emotional reactions, a guide to finding and learning craft techniques, and understanding the broader publishing environment.
Literary Forensics is a compilation of the work that Gary McBride developed and curated through his Boulder-based Writers Who Read monthly novel study group over the past seven years. Also published as a popular monthly podcast, Writers Who Read have analyzed over 70 traditionally published novels published since 2017, using disciplines ranging from literary theory and social psychology to digital humanities. This comprehensive approach gives readers a toolkit to move beyond a passive reading experience and consciously identify the nuanced markers of language, context, point of view, character development, and pacing that create a powerful narrative. The goal is to identify what works-and what doesn't-from a reader's perspective, so that a writer can consciously apply those lessons to their own work.
Ever wondered how to truly unlock the secrets of masterful storytelling?
Literary Forensics offers a groundbreaking approach to reading like a writer, helping you dissect the intricate craft behind compelling narratives. Gary Alan McBride, drawing from seven years of leading Writers Who Read, fills a critical void by compiling innovative reading techniques you can use to uncover the literary brilliance found in today's novels.
This essential reference guide provides the tools that let you:
- Sharpen Your Awareness with Self-Paced Study: Discover and overcome literary biases and transform your emotional reactions into powerful tools for critical reading.
- Turn Reading into a Masterclass in Writing: Practice with dozens of modern examples and hands-on exercises, turning your favorite contemporary authors into your personal writing teachers by analyzing their craft.
- Gain Deep Insights with Interdisciplinary Perspectives: Explore the foundations of effective narrative through discourse analysis, social psychology, literary theory, and more. Use proven academic techniques in a practical, accessible way to enhance your writing immediately.
Perfect for writers, literary scholars, and anyone eager to deepen their understanding of how stories work, Literary Forensics will transform your reading and elevate your writing.
Gary Alan McBride is the producer and host of Writers Who Read, a podcast about how to read like a writer, and he is also the founder and facilitator of the Boulder-based Literary Forensics study group of the same name that has analyzed over seventy novels published since 2017. Gary is a fourth-generation Denverite who has traveled extensively for work and pleasure, living for over a decade in Europe and Southeast Asia.
