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

Header

Liquid Story Binder XE by Black Obelisk Software

Disable Copy Paste

Amazon Quick Linker

Thursday, December 8, 2022

The Craft of Fiction by Percy Lubbock (1921) (PDF)

THE CRAFT OF FICTION

 

 

BY PERCY LUBBOCK

 

 

 

 

JONATHAN CAPE

ELEVEN GOWER STREET, LONDON

 

 

First Published 1921.

(eText) 

 

 FOREWORD BY OLIVIA SALTER


The art of storytelling is a timeless phenomenon that has captivated and shaped human civilization for centuries. From ancient myths and epics to modern novels and short stories, the craft of fiction has evolved, adapting to different cultures, societies, and literary movements. It is within this vast tapestry of literary achievement that Percy Lubbock's influential book "The Craft of Fiction" finds its place.

Originally published in 1921, "The Craft of Fiction" stands as an enduring testament to the intricacies and complexities of narrative construction. Percy Lubbock, an esteemed British literary critic and scholar, delves deep into the techniques and nuances of fiction writing, offering invaluable insights to both aspiring and seasoned writers. With profound analytical prowess and meticulous attention to detail, Lubbock dissects the works of master storytellers such as Henry James, Joseph Conrad, and Leo Tolstoy to unravel the secrets behind their narrative brilliance.

Lubbock's exploration of the craft goes beyond mere technicalities; it delves into a profound understanding of the human psyche and the art of creating vivid and authentic characters. Through his perceptive examination of character development, Lubbock guides his readers through the delicate balance between the portrayal of human psychology and the inherent artifice of literary creation. Drawing from a rich tapestry of examples, he demonstrates the interplay between authorial control and the characters' innate autonomy, discussing the crucial factors that contribute to the reader's emotional investment in the story's protagonists.

In addition to character, Lubbock explores the complex terrain of narrative structure and style. He scrutinizes the role of point of view, voice, and perspective, highlighting the strategic choices writers make to shape their stories. By dissecting the narrative techniques employed by the literary masters, Lubbock provides aspiring authors with a blueprint for crafting compelling and engaging stories.

"The Craft of Fiction" is not only a guide for writers; it is also a work that celebrates the beauty and power of storytelling. Lubbock's eloquent prose, seasoned with his profound love for literature, elevates this book from being merely instructional to becoming a work of art in its own right. His keen observations and insightful analysis bring to light the intricate subtleties that lie beneath the surface of great literary works, enriching our appreciation and understanding of the stories we love.

Nearly a century after its initial publication, "The Craft of Fiction" remains a cornerstone of literary criticism and an indispensible resource for writers and scholars alike. Its enduring relevance resonates with the universal appeal of storytelling, reminding us that the art of fiction is a vibrant and ever-evolving tapestry that continues to shape our world.

As you embark on this journey into the craft of fiction alongside Percy Lubbock, may you be inspired, enlightened, and ultimately empowered to craft your own narratives and leave an indelible mark on the literary landscape.

Olivia Salter

12/08/2022 


 Percy Lubbock’s 1921 volume was one of the first major works of literary criticism to focus on the novel as a form. Literary criticism itself was in its infancy, but more importantly the novel seemed a less notable subject for criticism at the time than poetry and drama. Lubbock’s book is not just an argument about fiction, but for fiction—an attempt to provide a rationale for the novel as a high art form.

 

INDEX


    Ambassadors, The, 145 ff., 156 ff., 189.
    Anna Karenina, 15, 52, 236 ff.
    Austen, Jane, 272.
    Awkward Age, The, 189 ff.

    Balzac, 48, 119, 203 ff., 220 ff., 241, 250.
    Barry Lyndon, 145.
    Bleak House, 129, 212 ff.
    Brontë, Charlotte, 145.

    Clarissa Harlowe, 7, 152 ff.
    Crime and Punishment, 144.
    Curé de Village, Le, 205.

    David Copperfield, 128 ff., 133 ff., 151.
    Defoe, 62.
    Denis Duval, 97.
    Dickens, Charles, 48, 128 ff., 133 ff., 151, 212 ff., 272.
    Dombey and Son, 214.
    Dostoevsky, 46, 47, 119, 144, 151.

    Eliot, George, 119, 273.
    Esmond, 97, 107 ff., 126 ff., 135, 188, 218.
    Eugénie Grandet, 205, 221 ff.

    Fielding, Henry, 49, 119.
    Flaubert, Gustave, 60 ff., 117, 118, 189, 269. [276]

    Harry Richmond, 130 ff.

    Illusions Perdues, 212.

    James, Henry, 110, 111, 145 ff., 156 ff., 172 ff., 189 ff.
    Jane Eyre, 145.

    Little Dorrit, 129, 214.

    Madame Bovary, 60 ff., 117, 118, 189, 269.
    Marius the Epicurean, 195, 196.
    Master of Ballantrae, The, 218.
    Maupassant, Guy de, 48, 112, 113.
    Meredith, George, 48, 130 ff.

    Newcomes, The, 107, 108, 125, 188.

    Our Mutual Friend, 129, 214.

    Pater, Walter, 195, 196.
    Pendennis, 97, 107, 117.
    Père Goriot, 205 ff.
    Princesse de Clèves, La, 202.

    Recherche de l'Absolu, La, 205, 232 ff.
    Resurrection, 249, 250.
    Richardson, Samuel, 7, 152 ff.

    Scott, Sir Walter, 49.
    Sir Charles Grandison, 155.
    Splendeurs et Misères des Courtisanes, 211.
    Stendhal, 48.
    Stevenson, R. L., 129, 212, 217. [277]

    Thackeray, W. M., 49, 87, 88, 93 ff., 110 ff., 124 ff., 145, 188.
    Tolstoy, 15 ff., 26 ff., 43 ff., 119, 236 ff.
    Turgenev, 121, 122.

    Vanity Fair, 94 ff., 124, 125.
    Virginians, The, 188.

    War and Peace, 26 ff., 43 ff.
    Wings of the Dove, The, 174 ff.
    Wrecker, The, 217.



The PDF might take a minute to load. Or, click to download PDF.

If your Web browser is not configured to display PDF files. No worries, just click here to download the PDF file.

 

About the Author 

Percy Lubbock, CBE (4 June 1879 – 1 August 1965) was an English man of letters, known as an essayist, critic and biographer. His controversial book The Craft of Fiction gained influence in the 1920s.
Percy Lubbock, CBE (4 June 1879 – 1 August 1965) was an English man of letters, known as an essayist, critic and biographer. His controversial book The Craft of Fiction gained influence in the 1920s. Wikipedia

Percy Lubbock Books at Amazon
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)