What essays, books on the novel and writing fiction have you read?

by Adrian Sroka
2nd June 2013

Below is my main list.

Aspects of the novel - E. M. Forster.

George Orwell - Politics and the English Language.

Materials and Methods of Fiction - Clayton Meeker Hamilton.

Stephen King - On Writing.

Sol Stein - Solutions for Novelists: Secrets of a Master Editor

Elements of Style - E B White & William Strunk Jnr

Writers on Writing - Walter Allen.

Reading a Novel - Walter Allen.

The Short Story in English - Walter Allen.

The English Novel - Walter Allen

Tradition and Dream - Walter Allen

Replies

I haven't read any. I might look up tips on the internet or here on Writers & Artists - but otherwise, none.

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Megan
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Megan King
02/06/2013

I avoid them like the plague, they fill your head full of rules that don't exist in the world of writing.

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Andrew
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Andrew Atkinson
02/06/2013

I'm not sure if you're counting poetry, but 'The Ode Less Travelled' by Stephen Fry is brilliant. I found it very helpful with regards to poetry writing but also, in the process, it is informative about existing English poetry. It was great to read because it was hilarious as well as interesting! I recommend it if you're interested in poetry.

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Alice
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Alice Cattley
02/06/2013