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The Writing of Fiction
Paperback
Literary CriticismWriting Instruction
ISBN13: 9781026096420
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 196
Weight: 0.62
Height: 0.42 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Writing of Fiction is a profound exploration of the craft of storytelling by one of the most celebrated novelists in American literature, Edith Wharton. In this insightful work, Wharton shares her expert perspective on the fundamental principles of literary construction, delving into the nuances of both the short story and the modern novel. She examines the essential elements of fiction, including character development, the importance of structure, and the technical challenges of narrative pacing.
Wharton provides a masterclass on the evolution of fiction, offering critiques of the masters who shaped the genre while emphasizing the necessity of artistic discipline. She provides invaluable advice for both aspiring writers and dedicated readers, reflecting on the relationship between reality and the imaginative world of the writer. Throughout the text, she asserts that the art of fiction requires a delicate balance of observation and selection. The Writing of Fiction remains a timeless resource for understanding the mechanics of high-quality prose and the intellectual rigor required to produce enduring literary works. It stands as a testament to Wharton's own mastery and her deep commitment to the art of the written word.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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