We all have stories to tell about our lives and the lives of people we know. Rebecca Rule and Susan Wheeler
help new and experienced writers commit those stories to paper. With a warm, wise, and encouraging voice, they
describe the writing process, from the inkling of a subject, to drafts, to specific writing skills, to a final
product. Each skill is practical, shown briefly, clearly, with outstanding examples from published as well as student
writing to illustrate each point. The book covers critical topics such as:
writing not to rehash, but to discover
finding a subject and narrowing it
writing scenes and dialogue
developing conflict
stressing important moments and points
using outstanding details and facts, time summaries and stretches,
flashbacks, endings, and more
ways to find meaning and add depth
revising and editing
curing writer's block
giving and receiving constructive criticism.
As practical as Strunk and White's Elements of Style, but far more warm, detailed, and encouraging, True Stories
gives writers everything they need to find their stories and craft them with insight and meaning.
Table of Contents
1. About True Stories
2. Getting Started
3. How-to Techniques
4. Advice About Process
5. Ethics and the Writer's Life
6. Their Stories
7. Recommended Reading
