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Curious Attractions: Essays on Fiction Writing

by Debra Spark

Curious Attractions: Essays on Fiction Writing Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Curious Attractions: Essays on Fiction Writing is a book about what makes fiction work. In nine entertaining and instructive essays, novelist and master teacher Debra Spark pursues key questions that face both aspiring and accomplished writers, including: How does a writer find inspiration? What makes a story's closing line resonate? How can a writer "get" style? Where should an author "stand" in relation to his or her characters?

While the book will have immediate appeal for students of writing, it will also be of interest to general readers for its in-depth reading of contemporary fiction and for its take on important issues of the day: Should writers try to be more uplifting? How is emotion best conveyed in fiction? Why are serious writers in North America wedded to the realist tradition?

When she was only twenty-three, Debra Spark's best-selling anthology 20 Under 30 introduced readers to some of today's best writers, including David Leavitt, Susan Minot, Lorrie Moore, Ann Patchett, and Mona Simpson. Almost twenty years later, Spark brings this same keen critical eye to Curious Attractions, discussing a broad range of authors from multiple genres and generations.

A collection of essays in the belles-lettres tradition, Curious Attractions offers lively and instructive discussions of craft flavored with autobiographical reflections and commentary on world events. Throughout, Spark's voice is warm, articulate, and engaging as it provides valuable insights to readers and writers alike.

Book News Annotation:

Spark (creative writing, Colby College) has both novice and experienced writers in mind as she works through key questions about fiction writing. Drawing on decades of teaching and writing experience, she tackles such universal topics for writers as inspiration, getting in and getting out of a work, style, emotion, realism and its constant presence in North American writing, the short novel, fabulism, detachment and involvement, and the nearly overwhelming urge to create propaganda, be it for one's politics or one's need to make everyone cheerful, even if it hurts. The result is not only a guide to thinking about writing, but also a commentary upon professionalism, taking responsibility, and growing up.
Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Book News Annotation:

Spark (creative writing, Colby College) has both novice and experienced writers in mind as she works through key questions about fiction writing. Drawing on decades of teaching and writing experience, she tackles such universal topics for writers as inspiration, getting in and getting out of a work, style, emotion, realism and its constant presence in North American writing, the short novel, fabulism, detachment and involvement, and the nearly overwhelming urge to create propaganda, be it for one's politics or one's need to make everyone cheerful, even if it hurts. The result is not only a guide to thinking about writing, but also a commentary upon professionalism, taking responsibility, and growing up. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Product Details

ISBN:
9780472068975
Subtitle:
Essays on Fiction Writing
Author:
Spark, Debra
Publisher:
University of Michigan Press
Subject:
General
Subject:
Fiction
Subject:
Essays
Subject:
Authorship
Subject:
Composition & Creative Writing
Subject:
Composition & Creative Writing - Fiction
Subject:
General Literary Criticism & Collections
Subject:
Fiction -- Authorship.
Edition Description:
Paper Text
Publication Date:
May 2005
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
175
Dimensions:
8.42x5.62x.53 in. .53 lbs.

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