How to Write Best-Selling Fiction

De: James Scott Bell, The Great Courses

Narrado por: James Scott Bell

Most people think the way to write a best seller is to have a lot of talent and even more luck. As you will learn, there is a recipe for success, and luck may be the least important ingredient in creating a best seller.

When it comes to solving the mystery of what makes a best-selling novel, no one has cracked the code better than James Scott Bell. A best-selling author himself, winner of the International Thriller Writers Award and the Christy Award for Suspense, plus the author of the number-one best seller for writers, Plot & Structure, Mr. Bell has been teaching the principles of best-selling fiction for over 20 years, principles that apply to any genre or style.

In the 24 lectures of How to Write Best-Selling Fiction, Mr. Bell provides a comprehensive, eye-opening, and illuminating survey of the entire writing process, as well as a full breakdown of how best-selling authors such as Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Suzanne Collins, Janet Evanovich, and dozens of others have implemented best practices in their own writing.

From fun creative challenges to help you get started with unique plot and character ideas to how to format, package, and promote your finished material - with help dotting every "i" and crossing every "t" along the way - Mr. Bell offers an insightful, intimate, and extraordinarily revealing look at the elements that elevate a novel to become a best seller. Any aspiring author will gain a wealth of tools that will not only improve their ability to write, but will also increase their enjoyment of the craft.

The famous writer Somerset Maugham once said, “There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” And maybe no one knows the “rules”, but there are writing techniques, practices, and fundamentals that writers have used for decades to become best-selling authors. And just like Picasso, once you master the basics of your art, then you can create your own rules. With How to Write Best-Selling Fiction, you get an intimate introduction to the fundamentals of how to write your best seller, from a best-selling author who has mastered the secrets to success.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 The Great Courses (P)2019 The Teaching Company, LLC

Great, but would it kill them to name the chapters?

If you had to buy one Audiobook to become a writer, this would be my pick. It’s engaging, informative and full of useful information.
My one gripe, is that they don’t name the chapters/lectures. This “should” be a great reference for writers, but it’s held back by such a simple thing, adding informative chapter names would vastly increase the utility of this series of lectures.

A Lecture Series & Lecturer that will Inspire you!

I found this lecture series and it’s teacher to be of immense help. It’s hard to get yourself up in the morning to do anything half the time, but this audio book made a huge difference for me. It has encouraged me, not only to be a writer, but a creative in other areas of my life as well. Thank you James Scott Bell. I deeply appreciate you! (Be blessed sir)

The A-Z of Fiction Writing

Excellent for established writers looking to level up. He sets structure and direction for any writer though more experienced writers will have a better grasp.

The Best!

If you learn from only one source about writing novels this should be it. Believe me because I've gone through over 50 books on writing and you'll never find anything as complete and enjoyable as James Scott Bell's take on it.

So practical

Between the lectures and the PDF workbook, this is a detailed, practical, and motivating tool for writing my next book!

Great explanation of what it takes to be a successful writer.

This lecture series includes techniques, tactics and procedures both creatively and within the profession. While I’ve heard the same elements in other training and how-to books, these lectures here are a complete presentation of them for the noob and amateur to learn and review all in one place. Of course, I’d say that more succinctly by next week by applying tips from this series. Recommended to new, struggling, or hopeful writers.

great voice narration and excellent contents!

I bought this book trying to figure out how novels are written and thought I might give it a try. this book explains in colourful details how to construct "ingredients" of a successful novel, using examples from famous books and movies. although I haven't read some of the books, I could still understand the principles and methods. Full of aha moments and great joy to read whether to plan to write a book or not.

Last chapters on publishing pertinent

Lots of solid tips felt like a 200 or 300 level writing course. I have taken all the writing courses... This one and the storytelling class were my favs.

Will make you want to be a writer

I was always intrigued by how writers or movies can always find a way out to give a great ending - the good ones. That was one primary reason for me to take this course. And I think I understand that now.

The author/narrator of this course is simply great with amazing insight into the craft. As he was a lawyer and when it comes from him - definitely he is walking the talking himself when he says anyone can be a writer.
I also appreciate his own persistence with learning the craft to the point that he became a writer himself and made it into a system - this course - that can be learned and applied.

While my idea at the start of the course was not to be a fiction writer - but now I feel like I want to write something at least. This course prepares for all the pitfalls and gives all the tools one can need when writing not just fiction but beyond that.

All the tools you need in one basket

I've read a lot of craft books about writing. No other book has inspired me more. The exercises and examples help to make the process easier to follow.
This course has given me confidence in my own ideas and the determination to finish my current projects.