How to Write Best-Selling Fiction
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How to Write Best-Selling Fiction
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Narrated by:
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James Scott Bell
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Written by:
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James Scott Bell
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The Great Courses
About this listen
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.
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What listeners say about How to Write Best-Selling Fiction
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ivy Mills
- 2023-03-22
Worthy of a re-listen
This is going back in my "read" pile. Great advice. The PDF is a fantastic addition for skimming to the parts you want to pore over in greater detail.
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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
- James S.
- 2022-01-20
Very informative.
Very informative course full of tips and tricks to better your writing.
Only time will tell if I actually learned anything though lol.
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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
- Lexloco
- 2022-02-12
Great for screenwriters, too!
Lately, I have been listening to numerous books on screenwriting—it keeps me from actually Whittington words on the page! Despite the fact that this offering from The Great Courses is marketed for novelists, not only is it an excellent course for those who are crafting other forms of fiction, including film scripts, but it is among the best!
The writer/narrator offers practical advice and examples as well as exercises at the end of each chapter, so the listener/student can apply the lessons learned.
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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
- Kindle Customer
- 2019-07-07
Worthwhile course
Well presented, organized and inspiring.
Lots of useful tips for aspiring authors.
I recommend this audiobook.
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2 people found this helpful
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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
- Aaron
- 2020-05-11
Good Advice
easy to listen too. Solid advice. it encourages to write and to be the best writer you can.
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2 people found this helpful
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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
- Ryan F
- 2021-02-18
Very helpful for anyone starting out
James does a superb job of walking you through what I assume are the basics of writing. I listened to this book about a third of the way through writing my first novel and wish I had had it sooner. In my opinion, this course helped me improve my writing. I also prefer courses that are 12 hours. The 24-hour great courses can be a bit of a slog if you're not in love with the topic. This one was just right. Well done!
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3 people found this helpful
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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
- Chris Dow
- 2021-11-18
Inspired
This was a great lecture series. I think the thing I appreciate most is that he doesnt hammer on the idea that there is only 1 single way to write but rather there are many each with their own pros and cons. Instead we are given different ways of thinking that comes from a place of experience.
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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
- The Three Chicas
- 2021-02-01
Inspiring
This is just what I needed at this time of writing. I keep starting and never finishing my fiction novels. I'm going through this with a book and pen and adding in the pieces that I'm missing and finish my novel. thanks. The only thing I wished is there were notes or check list we could have printed off because with audio you cannot just highlight certain areas and the memory, not the best :)
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4 people found this helpful
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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
- Alan Draven
- 2021-12-13
If You Only Buy One Book on Writing...
... make it this one! I've been writing for sixteen years and have read a dozen books on the subject, have gone to many writing seminars/workshops, but this course/audiobook by James Scott Bell still managed to teach me a plethora of new tricks and was chock-full of good advice. No matter what your level is, from beginner to published pro, you'll find something for you in "How to Write Best-Selling Fiction". Highly recommended to all!
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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
- Amy Braun
- 2022-11-10
Makes The Craft Less Daunting
A great course for any beginner writer, or anyone who is seasoned and needs a reminder of the basics. James Scott Bell goes over the fundamentals and offers options for panters, planners, those who want to go trade and those who want to go indie. I found many of the lessons to be familiar, but I also learned new concepts that will help elevate my craft.
The narration is uplifting and simple to follow, and offers new writers some challenges to maintain a good work ethic. It works as a source of enthusiasm, encouragement, and offers plenty of quotes to prove that the challenge of writing full time can be achieved. It covers all aspects of publishing, from conception to editing, to querying and marketing. Definitely a recommended listen for new and intermediate authors everywhere.
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