Writing Resources

  • For story structure:

Writing to the Point: A Complete Guide to Selling Fiction (The Million Dollar Writing Series) — basics of structure; very concise

Beginnings, Middles & Ends (Elements of Fiction Writing) — more detailed about structure; has additional material on the use of narrative devices such as prologues, epilogues, and flashbacks

Star Wars: A New Hope

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (Theatrical Version)

Die Hard

  • For viewpoint and characterization:

Characters & Viewpoint (Elements of Fiction Writing) — excellent resource all around, especially for those struggling with point of view and how to choose the best one for your story; replacement nouns.

Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints (Write Great Fiction) — also addresses how to choose the best type of viewpoint

Deep Point of View (Busy Writer’s Guides) (Volume 9) — focuses on reader immersion

The Sixth Sense (movie)

  • For self-editing:

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print — lots of topics covered, including dialogue tags.

  • Science fiction and fantasy:

How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy — abeyance,extrapolation, implication, and world-building