“How Fiction Works“, by James Wood, is a recent book with a refreshingly non-instructional approach. I was surprised to find no discussion sympathetic to my notions of ‘why fiction works’. Wood doesn’t even mention the defining moment in a story – the protagonist’s turning point – with which I appear to be as obsessed as [...]
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I want to write about faith, about the way the moon rises over cold snow, night after night… “I want to write about faith…” This is Whidbey Island poet, David Whyte, teaching me a thing or two about writing. The implication in such an opening line is that he can’t write about faith. That’s his [...]
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It’s got six syllables and seven vowels, so I know what you’re saying – it better mean something good. In fact, it just might be the Holy Grail of fiction. A writer whose story lacks verisimilitude has no choice but to keep rewriting until it rings true. Ver-i-si-mi-li-tude: noun, the appearance of truth. This word [...]
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Story Structure To Die For is essential reading for anyone who has ever wondered why readers read and why writers
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A phone call out of the blue sends ROXY on a mercy mission to a Greek island. Her estranged grandfather is dying. When her mother refuses
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The Flight of the Patriot
Yadi Sharifirad, Iranian Top Gun, national hero, and poster boy for the military forces of the Islamic Regime, thought his record spoke for itself. But he underestimated Ayatollah Khomeini’s antipathy for American-trained fighter pilots—all but a few were executed. Sharifi’s luck ran out when one fine day ...more
