Sign-In
Cart
Writerpreneur: The Basic Formulas of Fiction
Paperback
Series: Writerpreneur Guides, Book 4
General ReferenceWriting Instruction
Currently unavailable to order
Please enter your email and a message will be sent to you when this product becomes available on our website.
Publisher: Midwest Journal Press
Published: Sep 23 2024
Pages: 232
Weight: 0.66
Height: 0.53 Width: 5.50 Depth: 8.50
Language: English
William Foster-Harris, along with Walter S. Campbell and Dwight V. Swain, created one of the most effective writer-training courses of all time. Their goal was to speed the progress of student-writers and shorten the time of study needed before becoming professional at their craft.
The list of top-flight authors trained by Campbell and Harris includes, among others: Louis L'Amour, Mary Higgins Clark, Fred Grove, Tony Hillerman, Bill Gulick, William R. Scott, Ed Montgomery, Neal Barrett, and Bill Burchardt.
While Campbell emphasized students take an analytical approach to learning their craft by studying published works, Harris did not analyze scenes, settings and characterizations as did Vestal. Instead, he was concerned mostly with the overall effect of the plot and how to achieve it.
Once a student had completed the initial courses under Campbell, Harris took over to hone the skills of would-be fictioneers. His lab-type classes were weekly in-person interviews. He required the student to write one new 5,000-word short story each week, and Foster would then critique it. After the first week, the student would have several stories in the rewrite process together with each new one. When Foster deemed one to be ready, the student would submit it to the market of their choice - and if it sold, that brought a better mark from Foster.
Plotting, which many beginners find the bugaboo of writing, Professor Harris considered no problem at all. The way to catch a plot, he explains, is the way to catch a woman. Pretend not to be interested. The student who complains that it is impossible to find a new plot because all the plots have been used, he told, You don't need a new plot. Just put a little parsley on the same old dish!
Dwight V. Swain joined the program in 1952. His contribution was through his experience in film scriptwriting, as well as extensive published work in pulp fiction. He expanded and simplified the Scene as both a building block and intrinsic glue for all stories - well beyond Campbell and Harris' foundation.
Learn from Foster-Harris:
- the core equations for all plots
- achieving the synthesis of writer, reader, and main character to make the story succeed
- combining feeling and fact with each sentence to engage the reader with the story's movement through time
- fitting your story character to the story problem and vice-versa
- developing conflict within the character to make them real and human
- the four parts to the correct short story
- use of tags, pointers, and plants to define characters and move plot along
- the use of linked scenes to involve the reader into a single continuing experience
- building a short story into a novelette, and into a novel - and when you shouldn't
- five routine revisions and rewrites necessary to polish the first draft
Learn from Dwight Swain:
- what three things are needed to develop a good novel
- the first two items found at the start of any commercially successful novel
- the three elements of any scene
- the three elements of any scene's sequel
- how moving copy requires interlocking motivation-reaction units
- why you develop contrasting characters in your novels
- the three wishes and four desires all characters want
- the four tests for every scene and chapter in your novel
Get Your Copy Now.
Also from
Harris, William Foster
Also in
General Reference
Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook (Core Rulebook, D&d Roleplaying Game)
Dungeons & Dragons
Hardcover
The Science Magpie: Fascinating Facts, Stories, Poems, Diagrams and Jokes Plucked from Science
Flynn, Simon
Paperback
Peculiar Questions and Practical Answers: A Little Book of Whimsy and Wisdom from the Files of the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
Hardcover
The Parenting Project: Build Extraordinary Relationships with Your Kids Through Daily Conversation
Alamar, Amy
Schlichting, Kristine
Paperback
Within the House of Murdaugh: Amid a Unique Friendship, Blanca and Maggie
Turrubiate-Simpson, Blanca
Weaver, Mary Frances
Paperback
Lost in Space: 5,000 Facts for Navigating the Universe
Tyson, Neil Degrasse
Walker, Lindsey Nyx
Hardcover
Canning & Preserving: The Techniques, Equipment, and Recipes to Get Started
Harmeling, Michele
Paperback
The New Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Expert Advice for Extreme Situations
Borgenicht, David
Piven, Joshua
Hardcover
Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers Volume 1
Roux, Jessica
Hardcover
Mushrooms of the Upper Midwest: A Simple Guide to Common Mushrooms
Marrone, Teresa
Yerich, Kathy
Paperback
The Book of Unusual Knowledge: Big Book of Fascinating Facts & Information Hardcover Gift for Trivia Buffs, Curious Minds, Adults, Dad & Knowledge See
Publications International Ltd
Hardcover
Take It from Me: An Agent's Guide to Building a Nonfiction Writing Career from Scratch
Habib, Alia Hanna
Hardcover
White Elephant Gifts for Adult: 500 Serial Killers Encyclopedia Facts and Figures
Murdle, K.
Paperback
Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
Oster, Emily
Paperback
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need
Brody, Jessica
Paperback
The Writing Rope: A Framework for Explicit Writing Instruction in All Subjects
Sedita, Joan
Paperback
American Sign Language Made Easy for Beginners: A Visual Guide with ASL Signs, Lessons, and Quizzes
Belmontes-Merrell, Travis
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Leo XIV, Pope
Paperback
True Facts That Sound Like Bull$#*t: 500 Insane-But-True Facts That Will Shock and Impress Your Friends 1
Carley, Shane
Paperback
Effective Phrases for Performance Appraisals: A Guide to Successful Evaluations
Neal Jr, James E.
Paperback
The Public Domain: Find and Use Free Content for Your Website, Book, App, Music, Video, Art, and More
Secor, Glen
Paperback
5 Steps to a 5: AP English Language and Composition 2027: Practice AP Tests + AP Content Review + Digital Exams
Murphy, Barbara
Paperback
The Writing Revolution 2.0: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades
Wexler, Natalie
Hochman, Judith C.
Paperback
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th Edition
Balch, Thomas J.
Robert, Henry M., III
Honemann, Daniel H.
Paperback
The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College (Revised and Updated)
Cohen, Harlan
Paperback
The Trusted Advisor: 20th Anniversary Edition
Maister, David H.
Galford, Robert
Green, Charles
Paperback
The New Lifetime Reading Plan: The Classical Guide to World Literature, Revised and Expanded
Major, John S.
Fadiman, Clifton
Paperback
French Short Stories: Thirty French Short Stories for Beginners to Improve your French Vocabulary
Moreau, Dylane
Paperback
The Modern Guide to Querying Literary Agents: From Rejection to Representation in 8 Steps
Matesic, Alyssa
McDonald, Patrick
Paperback
The Essentials of Adolescent Literacy: Integrating Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Instruction in Grades 5-12
Sedita, Joan
Paperback
The Reading Strategies Book 2.0: Your Research-Based Guide to Developing Skilled Readers
Serravallo, Jennifer
Paperback
The Preparation: How To Become Competent, Confident, and Dangerous
Smith, Maxim
Casey, Doug
Smith, Matt
Hardcover
Freeing the Natural Voice: Imagery and Art in the Practice of Voice and Language (Revised & Expanded)
Linklater, Kristin
Paperback
5 Steps to a 5: AP English Literature and Composition 2027: Practice AP Tests + AP Content Review + Digital Exams
Hartnett, Michael
Paperback
Read These Banned Books: A Journal and 52-Week Reading Challenge from the American Library Association
American Library Association (ALA)
Paperback
Seberson Method: New Sat(r) Vocabulary Workbook: Over 700 High-Frequency Words to Master
Seberson, Katya
Paperback
Chase's Calendar of Events 2027: The Ultimate Go-To Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months
Chase's, Editors Of
Paperback
Stuff Every Adult Should Know: A Pocket-Sized Guide to Grown-Up Know-How, from Taxes to Small Talk
Kalb, Alanna
Cohen, Brett
Favreau, Alyssa
Hardcover
The Vocabulary Builder Workbook: Simple Lessons and Activities to Teach Yourself Over 1,400 Must-Know Words
Lele, Chris
Magoosh
Paperback
Black People Invented Everything: The Deep History of Indigenous Creativity
Dass, Sujan Kumar
Paperback
Hoyle's Rules of Games, 3rd Revised and Updated Edition: The Essential Guide to Poker and Other Card Games
Morehead, Albert H.
Mott-Smith, Geoffrey
Morehead, Philip D.
Paperback
180 Days(tm) Reading for Fifth Grade, 2nd Edition: Practice, Assess, Diagnose
Kopp, Kathleen N.
Kopp, Kathy
Levsey, Dylan
Paperback
Vanishing Culture: A Report on Our Fragile Cultural Record
Messarra, Luca
Ziskina, Juliya
Freeland, Chris
Paperback
The New Dark Ages: The Death of Reading and the Dawn of the Post-Literate Society
Marriott, James
Hardcover
Elledge's Nontrivial Trivia: The Seriously Enlightening Stories Behind Supposedly Simple Facts
Elledge, Jonn
Paperback
The Orvis Quick-Start Guide to Fly-Fishing: Everything You Need to Know to Catch Fish Your First Time Out
Monahan, Philip
Paperback
Within the House of Murdaugh: Amid a Unique Friendship, Blanca and Maggie
Weaver, Mary Frances
Turrubiate-Simpson, Blanca
Hardcover
Thinking Critically about What Matters: A Punk Rock Guide
Klipfel, Lyndsay
Klipfel, Kevin Michael
Paperback
Writing Fiction, Tenth Edition: A Guide to Narrative Craft
Stuckey-French, Ned
Burroway, Janet
Stuckey-French, Elizabeth
Paperback
The Essentials: The Art of Interior Design: A Guide to Furnishing, Decorating, and Styling Your Home
Flemming, Caitlin
Goebel, Julie
Hardcover
Spelling High School Grades 9-10: Vocabulary and Writing Practice with Interactive Activities
Attard, Natasha
Paperback
The What Does the Bible Say about: The Ultimate A to Z Resource
Thomas Nelson Publishers
Nelson Reference
Paperback
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print
King, Dave
Browne, Renni
Paperback
The Backyard Birdwatcher's Bible: Birds, Behaviors, Habitats, Identification, Art & Other Home Crafts
Sterry, Paul
Perrins, Christopher
Ellis, Sonya Patel
Hardcover
Night Sky Guide 2026: North America's Skies Month by Month from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
Mortillaro, Nicole
Paperback
Totally Awesome Book of Useless Information: A Delightfully Absurd Collection of Unusual Knowledge for Adults and Teens
Style, Life Daily
Paperback
The Best Punctuation Book, Period (Revised Edition): A Comprehensive Guide for Every Writer, Editor, Student, and Businessperson
Casagrande, June
Paperback
Generative AI and Libraries: Claiming Our Place in the Center of a Shared Future
Rosser, Chris
Hanegan, Michael
Paperback
The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better
Storr, Will
Paperback
The New American Ephemeris for the 21st Century 2000-2100 at Midnight, Michelsen Memorial Edition
Michelsen, Neil F.
Paperback