Lucy McCarraher - How to Write Fiction Without the Fuss

HOW TO WRITE FICTION
WITHOUT THE FUSS

LUCY McCARRAHER

First published in 2013 by Rethink Press (www.rethinkpress.com) Copyright Lucy McCarraher All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publishers prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. To all fiction writers past, present and especially future whose dedication to their craft has and will bring their unique stories to readers everywhere.

THANKS TO

Anthony Wagner, my late father, who read me a wide variety of fiction, including Pride and Prejudice when I was eight, the ghost stories of M. R. James (notably the nightmare-inducing The Tractate Middoth), the Victorian epic Adventures of Tim Pippin, and classical myths from The Golden Bough. An avid reader of fiction and lucid writer himself, he taught me that taking the easy route in reading or writing is not always the best way.

Suzan St Maur, who asked me to write a series on Fiction Writing for her amazing writers website, www.howtowritebetter.net , and thus forced me to write the basis of this book. She also chose the title.

Barbara Levy, literary agent, to whom I refer to in the Introduction, who gave me an invaluable, if unwelcome at the time, lesson in fiction writing.

Ellen Graham, Robert Warren Bell, Keble Howard and Betty Askwith, novelists and my great grandmother, great uncles and great aunt respectively, whose story-telling genes may have been passed on to me.

My Creative Writing and Adult Literacy tutors and students at City College Norwich, where I took my Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector, who all taught me how to elucidate aspects of writing, editing, grammar and punctuation.

All the fiction writers I have worked with, and whose books I have worked on, as an editor, coach and publisher.

PRAISE

As the perpetrator here, I cheerfully plead mea culpa to having shoved Lucys arm up her back and made her write the amazing series on which this book is based... and I think both she and I are glad I did! Her series was easily the most popular on HowToWriteBetter.net and still has thousands of reads every week. When you consider how much complex and stuffy information is dribbling around the internet (and in bookshops) on how to write fiction, Lucys clear, concise and unfussy advice is a Godsend. Read it, read it again, follow it to the letter and your fiction is bound to flower and bear fruit.

Suzan St Maur, author of How To Write Winning Non-fiction and 31 other published books

This book does exactly what it says in the title: it gives you the tools to write fiction, from the first word to sending out your manuscript. This book is just what Ive been looking for when teaching Creative Writing. Its clear, no-nonsense approach urges the reader to get writing, as it is coupled with very practical exercises, has inspirational quotes to keep you going, and is sufficiently comprehensive to get you to the end of your novel. The book is useful for those starting out on their novel-writing journey and the checklists are a suitable aide memoire for more experienced writers. One of the best How to books on writing Ive come across.

Amanda Addison, author of Lauras Handmade Life; co-author of the UKs first Access to HE in Creative Writing course; Creative Writing tutor at City College Norwich

In How To Write Fiction , Lucy McCarraher has distilled all her common sense, wisdom and experience into a concise, readable and practical guide to anyone embarking on the daunting and terrifying task of writing a novel. Not only do I appreciate the book as a novelist, but am also inclined to steal her ideas wholesale as a Creative Writing teacher!

Sarah Bower, author of The Needle In The Blood and the international bestseller, Sins of the House of Borgia

A book of great wisdom and great practicality. Here are the things we need to know, possibly think we know and, when we need them most, realise we dont. Lucy points out that, of course, in writing fiction inspiration and creativity are vital, but necessarily in tandem with a thorough understanding of structure, storyline, grammar and punctuation. This she provides in an easily accessible and enjoyable text. She takes her own advice, for example, in showing more than telling: each point is aptly illustrated from a wide range of novels.

We all need reminders of the way to go, and here are the essential indicators. I found one good and true thing after another. A book to go back to over and over, and gain from each time.

James Ferron Anderson, award-winning author of The River And The Sea

As a published non-fiction author with an ambition to write good fiction, I am an instant fan of this book. It makes it clear that to work, fiction needs to be planned, crafted and polished until it is perfect.

There are lots of invaluable tips on grammar and punctuation which would benefit most of us. What particularly stood out for me was the advice on grabbing the readers attention, developing the plot and showing rather than telling. I will add this to my dictionary and thesaurus as an indispensable writing aid.

Geoffrey Salmon, author of Kendo: A Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Swordsmanship and Kendo Inherited Wisdom

I am a writer who constantly strives to hone my craft and How to Write Fiction by Lucy McCarraher has become one of my most useful tools. With only the bare bones of a plot, the sketch of a character to work with, Lucy takes you through the development of outlining plots and developing characters. She takes the novelist right though to final edits and submitting your work. I feel comfortable with Lucys methods, the book is easy to read, great to dip in an out of and I have found that not only my writing, but my thought processes have improved. All writers need a mentor and having this book on my e-reader I really feel that I have my own personal writing coach with me.

Michelle Heatley is a published short story writer and her debut novel Fish Soup is soon to be published. She has a Diploma in Literature and Creative Writing from the Open University.

A must read for anyone contemplating writing a novel. How To Write Fiction guides you through all of the stages involved in becoming an author, helping with plot, structure and grammar through to approaching agents and publishers, and all written in an easy to read, yet informative style. With so many handy tips on offer, I defy even the most seasoned of author not to find something of use within this books pages.

Keri Beevis, award winning author of Dead Letter Day

INTRODUCTION

As a writer and author I have worked in many genres and formats over the years. Ive been a journalist and reviewer; Ive written TV scripts and outlines; business and research reports and manuals; self-development books and novels.

Im also an editor and publisher who has worked on manuscripts, and with authors, of all kinds. Theres no genre of writing I dont enjoy, but for me fiction, and the novel especially to both read and write is the ultimate art form, educational tool, emotional resource, entertainment medium and guilty pleasure.

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