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Printed from https://writing.com/main/product_reviews/pr_id/107489-Scene--Structure-Elements-of-Fiction-Writing
ASIN: 0898799066
ID #107489
Product Type: Book
Reviewer: ElaineElaine Author Icon
Review Rated: ASR
Amazon's Price: $ 11.23
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Summary of this Book...
In Scene & Structure Bickham lays out the underlying structure of fiction – that of the scene. He starts out his book by acknowledging many writers fear structure, form, and plot mean formulaic writing and don’t allow for creativity. The rest of the book proves this fear is incorrect. Just as grammar allows the reader/listener to follow the thoughts of another, so does a story structure allow for the reader/listener to follow and enjoy what the story teller shares. Bickham likens structure to such architectural features as foundations, frames, and the 2 X 4s that make up that frame. Form is the finished result of that house – whether the house turns out a ranch, two-story, or mansion. In writing a story, form will be your point of view, your style (such as stream-of-consciousness), and whether you’re writing a novel or short story. We’ll discuss writing structure in the following paragraphs.
 
Bickham reminds us that the modern reader tends to be a more impatient reader than those in the past. We live in a fast paced world and most readers demand that what they read be the same. Quoting from Bickham we hear this advice concerning what the reader wants and expects:
 
1. They are fascinated and threatened by significant change;
2. They want the story to start with such a change;
3. They want to have a story question to worry about
4. They want the story question answered in the story ending;
5. They will quickly lose patience with everything but material that relates to the story question.

I especially liked...
I really liked Bickham's sharing of his own writing development in
 
Once upon a time there was a very young, unpublished writer (who shall be nameless, except that his initials were J.M.B.) who decided after having written several unsold novels that he would write the wildest, fastest-moving, slam-bang adventure he could think of. He made a list of exciting, stirring events, and wrote the novel from the list. To his great astonishment and greater chagrin, the novel turned out slow-moving, pseudo-thoughtful, and generally dull and insipid.
 
At the time he was thoroughly baffled. It was not until some years later--having had scene structure drilled into his head by professional writing coach Dwight V. Swain--that he was able to understand what had happened. He had written most of his "action book" with very long sequels and very short scenes. It was a valuable, if painful, lesson.
Further Comments...
CHAPTERS
 
Chapter 1 - The Structure of Modern Fiction
Chapter 2 - Strategy: How to Start Your Story and How to End It
Chapter 3 - Structure in Microcosm: Cause, and Effect
Chapter 4 - Structure in Larger Elements: The Scene
Chapter 5 - Structure in Macrocosm: Scenes with Results
Chapter 6 - Planning and Revising Scenes for Maximum Effect
Chapter 7 - Linking Your Scenes: The Structure of Sequel
Chapter 8 - Scene-Sequel Tricks to Control Pace
Chapter 9 - Variations in the Internal Structure of Scene and Sequel
Chapter 10 - Common Errors in Scenes and How to Fix Them
Chapter 11 - Plotting with Scene and Sequel
Chapter 12 - Specialized Scene Techniques
Chapter 13 - The Structure of Chapters
Chapter 14 - The Scenic Master Plot and How to Write One
 
Appendices
Created Jan 28, 2004 at 5:53pm • Submit your own review...
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