Writing 21st Century Fiction

MY TAKE

Another great book by Donald Maass, in which he calls to attention that bestselling novels often come down to great stories, beautiful writing, and strong characters. That, combined with the ability to move readers emotionally almost ensures a novel will earn its place on the charts.

The best part about this book is that it isn’t just a how-to guide on writing, but rather it’s about the author and how to bleed on the page–if you will.

While anyone can read this book at any stage of their author journey, if you’re just beginning to learn the craft, I would recommend first reading books on the basics of storytelling and then coming back around to this one.

Official Description

Capture the minds, hearts, and imaginations of 21st century readers!

Whether you're a commercial storyteller or a literary novelist, whether your goal is to write a best-selling novel or captivate readers with a satisfying, beautifully written story, the key to success is the same: high-impact fiction. Writing 21st Century Fiction will help you write a novel for today's readers and market, filled with rich characters, compelling plots, and resonant themes. Author and literary agent Donald Maass shows you how to:

   • Create fiction that transcends genre, conjures characters who look and feel more "real" than real people, and shows readers the work around them in new ways.
   • Infuse every page with an electric current of emotional appeal and micro-tension.
   • Harness the power of parallels, symbols, metaphors, and more to illuminate your novel in a lasting way.
   • Develop a personalized method of writing that works for you.


With an arsenal of thought-provoking prompts and questions, plus plenty of examples from best-selling titles, Writing 21st Century Fiction will strip away your preconceived notions about writing in today's world and give you the essential tools you need to create fiction that will leave both readers and critics in awe.