Elements of Fiction

By: Walter Mosley

Narrated by: Mirron Willis

In his essential writing guide, This Year You Write Your Novel, Walter Mosley supplied aspiring writers with the basic tools to write a novel in one year. In this complementary follow up, Mosley guides the writer through the elements of not just any fiction writing, but the kind of writing that transcends convention and truly stands out. How does one approach the genius of writers like Melville, Dickens, or Twain? In Elements of Fiction, Walter Mosley contemplates the answer.

In a series of instructive and conversational chapters, Mosley demonstrates how to master fiction's most essential elements: character and character development, plot and story, voice and narrative, context and description, and more. The result is a vivid depiction of the writing process, from the blank page to the first draft to rewriting, and rewriting again. Throughout, Elements of Fiction is enriched by brilliant demonstrative examples that Mosley himself has written here for the first time.

Inspiring, accessible, and told in a voice both trustworthy and wise, Elements of Fiction will intrigue and encourage writers and readers alike.

©2019 Thing Itself, Inc. (P)2019 Tantor

An organic way of storytelling

Loved the book and the many examples of story telling. The examples gave me insight to an authentic process of novel writing. Did not box one in with rules and plot points. Gave a voice to the story itself. Loved it! Great selection of Mirron Willis as narrator too.

Supplemental thoughts on writing

Let me preface this by saying I’ve read many books about writing by authors, as well as many instructional books on writing, the great courses, etc. I’d rank this one in the middle of the pack. It is short, and doesn’t offer tips you can follow or a check list or actionable advice, nor does it really offer anecdotes from his writing life. So, the vast majority of aspiring authors will benefit more from reading the mainstream popular texts on writing before this.

However, if you’ve like me and you’re already a professional and have read everything else, and you know story structure, dialogue, etc., then this might give you a few new ways of looking at the struggles you run into when trying to write great fiction. For example, I did appreciate the reminder to approach the blank page with childlike wonder. That’s something that most commercial artists will eventually struggle with once you’re getting paid for producing.

So whether you should read this is a question of where you are in your writing journey and what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for anecdotes on writing life from an author, you won’t get that here so I’d suggest the ones by Stephen King, Anne Lamont and Palinchuk. If you’re just starting out, I’d suggest the books on story structure in the Great Courses or by Bell, Weiland, etc.

So much learned

I learned so much more in this concise lesson than in any creative class I’ve taken in the past. Money well spent.