Read Like A Writer

There are two ways to learn how to write fiction: by reading it and by writing it. Yes, you can learn lots about writing stories in workshops, in writing classes and writing groups, at writers' conferences. You can learn technique and process by reading the dozens of books like this one on fiction writing and by reading articles in writers' magazines. But the best teachers of fiction are the great works of fiction themselves. You can learn more about the structure of a short story by reading Anton Chekhov's 'Heartache' than you can in a semester of Creative Writing 101. If you read like a writer, that is, which means you have to read everything twice, at least. When you read a story or novel the first time, just let it happen. Enjoy the journey. When you've finished, you know where the story took you, and now you can go back and reread, and this time notice how the writer reached that destination. Notice the choices he made at each chapter, each sentence, each word. (Every word is a choice.) You see now how the transitions work, how a character gets across a room. All this time you're learning. You loved the central character in the story, and now you can see how the writer presented the character and rendered her worthy of your love and attention. The first reading is creative—you collaborate with the writer in making the story. The second reading is critical.


John Dufresne, from his book, The Lie That Tells A Truth: A Guide to Writing Fiction

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Monday, November 28, 2022

The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 04, by Robert Louis Stevenson (PDF)

 
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 04, by Robert Louis Stevenson

THE WORKS OF

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

SWANSTON EDITION

VOLUME 4
(eText)

 

CONTENTS

NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS
THE SUICIDE CLUB

         
Story of the Young Man with the Cream Tarts    5
The Story of the Physician and the Saratoga Trunk    37
The Adventure of the Hansom Cabs    65

THE RAJAH’S DIAMOND

Story of the Bandbox    86
Story of the Young Man in Holy Orders    111
The Story of the House with the Green Blinds    127
The Adventure of Prince Florizel and a Detective    159

THE PAVILION ON THE LINKS

CHAPTER   

   
I.    Tells how I Camped in Graden Sea-wood, and beheld a Light in the Pavilion    167
II.    Tells of the Nocturnal Landing from the Yacht    174
III.    Tells how I became Acquainted with my Wife    180
IV.    Tells in what a Startling Manner I learned that I was not Alone in Graden Sea-wood    189
V.    Tells of an Interview between Northmour, Clara, and Myself    197
VI.    Tells of my Introduction to the Tall Man    202
VII.    Tells how a Word was cried through the Pavilion Window    208
VIII.    Tells the Last of the Tall Man    214
IX.    Tells how Northmour carried out his Threat    221
A LODGING FOR THE NIGHT    227
THE SIRE DE MALÉTROIT’S DOOR    250
PROVIDENCE AND THE GUITAR    273
 

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 About the Author 

Robert Louis Stevenson (born Robert Lewis Balfour Stevenson; 13 November 1850 – 3 December 1894) was a Scottish novelist, essayist, poet and travel writer. He is best known for works such as Treasure Island, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Kidnapped and A Child's Garden of Verses. Wikipedia

Robert Louis Stevenson at Amazon

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