The Last Fifty Pages
The Art and Craft of Unforgettable Endings
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The Last Fifty Pages
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Narrated by:
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James Scott Bell
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By:
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James Scott Bell
About this listen
“The first page of a book sells that book. The last page sells your next book.” (Mickey Spillane, American crime author)
What are the secrets for writing a great ending for your novel? How do you leave readers so satisfied that they'll want another book by you, right now? What tools and techniques can shape your last 50 pages into a powerful, unforgettable experience?
In this audiobook, international Thriller Writers Award winner and number one best-selling writing teacher James Scott Bell reveals:
- The five types of endings
- Things that need to happen in act three
- Ways to use the ah and uh-oh emotional wallops
- A simple technique for crafting twist endings
- The most important secret of all: resonance
- The "stew, brew, accrue, do" brainstorming method
- The best way to tie up loose ends
- The most common ending mistakes, and how to avoid them.
- And more!
Listen to this audiobook, and you will come away with a thorough knowledge of why great endings work and how to create them for every novel you write.
©2019 James Scott Bell (P)2019 James Scott BellListeners also enjoyed...
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4 out of 5 stars
-
Bell's excellent advice, less well conveyed
- By Jennifer on 09-14-20
By: James Scott Bell
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How to Write Best-Selling Fiction
- By: James Scott Bell, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: James Scott Bell
- Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 851
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 704
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Story5 out of 5 stars 691
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. No one has cracked the code better than James Scott Bell. A best-selling author himself, and 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.
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5 out of 5 stars
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I'm a writer and this course is to blame.
- By accentrique on 07-22-19
By: James Scott Bell, and others
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How to Write Short Stories And Use Them to Further Your Writing Career
- By: James Scott Bell
- Narrated by: Virtual Voice
- Length: 2 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 2
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2
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Story5 out of 5 stars 2
Now, learn the master key for writing great short stories, and the strategies for using them to advance your writing career As most writers will tell you, the hardest fiction form to master is the short story. To be successful, a short story needs to have "emotional wallop," and in under 7,000 words. Not easy to do. In this book, #1 bestselling writing teacher James Scott Bell explains the essential ingredient for a successful short story, no matter the genre. He shows how any writer—whether planner or "pantser"—can use this key to unlock infinite story possibilities. And turn readers ...
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5 out of 5 stars
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A must-have for fiction writers!
- By CaliChlo on 11-24-24
By: James Scott Bell
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Writing for Emotional Impact
- Advanced Dramatic Techniques to Attract, Engage, and Fascinate the Reader from Beginning to End
- By: Karl Iglesias
- Narrated by: Karl Iglesias
- Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 159
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 131
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 130
There are three kinds of feelings when reading a story: boredom, interest, and wow! To become a successful writer, you must create the wow feeling on as many pages as possible, and this requires writing that engages the reader emotionally. In his best-selling book, screenwriter Karl Iglesias explored the working habits of A-list Hollywood scribes. Now, he breaks new ground by focusing on the psychology of the reader.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Best audiobook by far for writing screenplays
- By FilmmakerSuperNova on 07-04-20
By: Karl Iglesias
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How to Write a Mystery
- A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America
- By: Mystery Writers of America, Lee Child - editor
- Narrated by: Laurie R. King, Cary Hite, Caroline McLaughlin, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 79
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 64
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Story4 out of 5 stars 63
Mystery Writers of America (MWA) is known for providing unparalleled resources on the craft, art, and business of storytelling, helping writers of all levels improve their skills for nearly a century. Now, this new handbook helps authors navigate the ever-shifting publishing landscape - from pacing, plotting, the business side of publishing, to the current demand for diversity and inclusivity across all genres, and more.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Broad strokes
- By Desiree Matlock on 12-31-21
By: Mystery Writers of America, and others
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Dialogue
- The Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage, and Screen
- By: Robert McKee
- Narrated by: Robert McKee
- Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 842
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 713
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 702
In Dialogue, Robert McKee offers in-depth analysis for how characters speak on the screen, on the stage, and on the page in believable and engaging ways. From Macbeth to Breaking Bad, McKee deconstructs key scenes to illustrate the strategies and techniques of dialogue. Dialogue applies a framework of incisive thinking to instruct the prospective writer on how to craft artful, impactful speech.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Not suited for audio
- By Smith on 03-04-17
By: Robert McKee
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Creating Character Arcs
- The Masterful Author's Guide to Uniting Story Structure, Plot, and Character Development
- By: K.M. Weiland
- Narrated by: Sonja Field
- Length: 5 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 993
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 818
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 801
Have you written a story with an exciting concept and interesting characters - but it just isn't grabbing the attention of readers or agents? It's time to look deeper into the story beats that create realistic and compelling character arcs. Internationally published, award-winning novelist K.M. Weiland shares her acclaimed method for achieving memorable and moving character arcs in every book you write.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Why We Read (Listen To) These Books
- By C. Deputy on 06-07-18
By: K.M. Weiland
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27 Fiction Writing Blunders - And How Not To Make Them!
- By: James Scott Bell
- Narrated by: Virtual Voice
- Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 18
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Performance3.5 out of 5 stars 17
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 17
Sell more books and build your career by kicking these blunders to the curb! Ever wonder why some books shoot to the top of the bestseller lists? And others that you think should, don't? It's usually a matter of mistakes that could have been avoided!#1 bestselling writing coach James Scott Bell has analyzed thousands of manuscripts over the years, by both new and experienced writers, and noticed certain errors that keep showing up to take readers out of the fictive dream. Now he's tackled the biggest offenders and shows you how to fix them. In 27 Fiction Writing Blunders you'll learn:* The ...
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4 out of 5 stars
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Nice Read
- By Dr. Antonio Maurice Daniels on 02-08-25
By: James Scott Bell
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Super Structure
- The Key to Unleashing the Power of Story
- By: James Scott Bell
- Narrated by: James Scott Bell
- Length: 3 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 42
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 38
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 37
Super Structure represents over two decades of research on what makes a novel or screenplay entertaining, commercial, original, and irresistible. Contrary to what some may think, structure is not a nasty inhibitor of creativity. Quite the opposite. Properly understood and utilized, structure is what translates story into a form audiences are wired to receive it.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Help for crafting a great story
- By Robin on 01-09-21
By: James Scott Bell
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Story Structure: The Key to Successful Fiction
- The Red Sneaker Writers Book Series, Volume 1
- By: William Bernhardt
- Narrated by: William Bernhardt
- Length: 2 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 311
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 265
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 258
"Writing is structure,” William Goldman said, but too often aspiring writers plunge into their work without grasping this fundamental principle. Story structure is one of the most important concepts for a writer to understand - and ironically, one of the least frequently taught. In this book, New York Times best-selling author William Bernhardt explains the elements that make stories work, using examples spanning from Gilgamesh to The Hunger Games.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Book is an Infomercial
- By Crystal White on 03-11-15
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The Secrets to Creating Character Arcs
- A Fiction Writer's Guide to Masterful Character Creation (Growing Authors Out of Writers)
- By: John S. Warner
- Narrated by: Angus Freathy
- Length: 3 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 29
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 26
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 26
When you think of unforgettable characters from books you’ve read, who comes to mind? James Bond, Harry Potter, Scarlett O’Hara, Elizabeth Bennett, Atticus Finch, Sherlock Holmes? These are just some of the most iconic characters in fiction. They are so memorable that even decades or centuries later, they still captivate our imagination. But what exactly is it about them that keeps generations so invested in them? Writers apply certain rules and tricks with their characters to make their stories shine. With this guide, you’ll find out exactly what they are.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Great foundations
- By JB9K on 07-18-24
By: John S. Warner
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Structuring Your Novel
- Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story
- By: K. M. Weiland
- Narrated by: Sonja Field
- Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 723
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 632
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 619
Why do some stories work and others don't? The answer is structure. In this IPPY and NIEA Award-winning guide from the author of the bestselling Outlining Your Novel, you will discover the universal underpinnings that guarantee powerful plot and character arcs. An understanding of proper story and scene structure will help you to not only perfectly time your story's major events, but will also provide you with an unerring standard to use in evaluating your novel's pacing and progression.
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5 out of 5 stars
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An Outstanding Resource for Writers
- By Richard Phillips (Bestselling Author of The Rho Agenda) on 02-01-15
By: K. M. Weiland
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Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels
- How to Write Kissing Books, Book 1
- By: Gwen Hayes
- Narrated by: Natalie Duke
- Length: 1 hr and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 322
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 284
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 279
What makes a romance novel a romance? Writing a well-structured romance isn't the same as writing any other genre - something the popular novel and screenwriting guides don't address. The romance arc is made up of its own story beats. Told in conversational (and often irreverent) prose, Romancing the Beat is like sitting down to coffee with romance editor and author Gwen Hayes while she explains story structure - the way she does with her clients, some of whom are regular inhabitants of the best-seller lists.
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5 out of 5 stars
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short but full of great information
- By Voracious Reader on 06-24-17
By: Gwen Hayes
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Kill the Dog
- The First Book on Screenwriting to Tell You the Truth
- By: Paul Guyot
- Narrated by: Paul Guyot
- Length: 7 hrs
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 129
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 115
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 114
Every aspect of screenwriting is covered with an authority and credibility never seen in any book to come before. Told with honesty, humor, and vulnerability from the real-world perspective of a working, professional screenwriter, Kill the Dog reveals the secrets of what it takes to have a successful career as a Hollywood screenwriter.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Not a lot learned. Here's a summary.
- By Samuel D R on 01-28-24
By: Paul Guyot
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The Mental Game of Writing: How to Overcome Obstacles, Stay Creative and Productive, and Free Your Mind for Success
- By: James Scott Bell
- Narrated by: Virtual Voice
- Length: 2 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 10
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Performance3 out of 5 stars 10
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 10
The keys to success as a writer are yours for the thinking! All success begins in the mind. For writers, the mind fuels the imagination and creates stories. But for authors who are productive and resilient, and see a good return on their efforts, there is another factor at work. They are winning the mental game of writing. Successful writers have the ability to inspire themselves to produce consistently, improve systematically, overcome obstacles and keep up a positive mental attitude. In this book, #1 bestselling writing teacher James Scott Bell takes you through the mental landscape of ...
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2 out of 5 stars
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The AI Voice Narration is Awful
- By RA on 02-11-25
By: James Scott Bell
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The Secrets of Character
- Writing a Hero Anyone Will Love
- By: Matt Bird
- Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer
- Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 69
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 53
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 52
The hardest yet most essential element of writing great fiction is character—specifically, creating a central hero who is relatable, compelling, and worth the audience's precious time. In this entertaining and practical guide, popular blogger, writing coach and screenwriter Matt Bird breaks down what makes characters embraceable and unforgettable, and presents insider tips and tricks for writers of all levels and genres.
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1 out of 5 stars
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I can't take writing advice from someone like this
- By Nam Hien Nguyen on 03-21-24
By: Matt Bird
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The Emotional Craft of Fiction
- How to Write the Story Beneath the Surface
- By: Donald Maass
- Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon
- Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 215
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 177
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 177
While writers might disagree over showing versus telling or plotting versus pantsing, none would argue this: If you want to write strong fiction, you must make your readers feel. The reader's experience must be an emotional journey of its own, one as involving as your characters' struggles, discoveries, and triumphs are for you. That's where The Emotional Craft of Fiction comes in. Veteran literary agent and expert fiction instructor Donald Maass shows you how to use story to provoke a visceral and emotional experience in readers.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Read this if you're a writer
- By Reed Ramlow on 08-08-20
By: Donald Maass
What listeners say about The Last Fifty Pages
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mike
- 05-09-20
Deep Dive into Ending a Novel
This book right deep dive into how to end a novel, perhaps the most challenging and important part of writing one. With plenty of real world examples, the author lays out how there is no one way to accomplish the task, while also shedding light on the commonalities that great endings share.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Diane Z.
- 09-27-20
Extremely Helpful!
Every chapter really gave you something to chew on. His explanations and examples were well thought out and succinct. The author did his own reading and he has a demeanor of speech and voice quality that were easy to listen to.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Customer
- 11-11-21
Not bad, not the very best
Agree with some of the other reviews. The useful messages are a bit hidden, and it’s repetitive from some other books he has published. But some useful things to take away.
Wish he had a summary pdf like in the great courses.
On a personal note I don’t like that he was putting down the sequel to Gone with the wind. It’s actually an excellent read and I love it maybe more than the actual book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Morgan Tarpley Smith
- 09-16-22
Fantastic writing craft book!
A great addition to James Scott Bell’s other writing craft books. Very insightful! And great narration!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Karmyn Jones
- 09-24-24
Writing tips for beginning with the end in mind.
Helpful for creating the most interesting fictional Novels and also for the writing of engaging Screenplays.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- P. Boddy
- 02-24-21
Always Gets The Message/Skill Across With Clarity
His lectures with both Audible and The Great Courses are informative as well as entertaining. Worth every penny...oops, cliche! DOLLAR.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- T. Weaver
- 05-04-21
Interesting listen; excellent information
I ordered this book to see if there was useful information for my writing. I came away wit a couple of great tips for writing fiction. If you plan to write fiction, I highly recommend this book.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- D. E. Booker
- 12-29-19
Helpful. Written in an easy style. Found some ideas I hope will help me.
See headline. I have several of his books and audiotapes. He genuinely wants to help. Thank you.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cole MacGrath
- 09-10-21
must read for all writers.
I enjoyed it thoroughly. lots of great information. I am on board with everything he has listed. I will be listening to it again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 02-10-23
Excellent in all respects!
Excellent in all respects; listened to it three times over. Wonderfully narrated by the author!
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