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L. Rust Hills
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Writing in General and the Short Story in Particular Revised ed. Edition, Kindle Edition

by Rust Hills (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 163 ratings
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Wise advice on plot, character, and style from a legendary Esquire editor: “Every aspiring fiction writer ought to read this.” —Writer’s Digest

Over the course of his long and colorful career as fiction editor for Esquire magazine, L. Rust Hills championed the early work of literary luminaries such as Norman Mailer, John Cheever, Don DeLillo, Raymond Carver, and E. Annie Proulx. His skill at identifying talent and understanding story made him a legend within the industry as an unparalleled editor of short fiction.
 
Writing in General and the Short Story in Particular is a master class in writing—especially short story writing—from the master himself. Drawing on a lifetime of experience and success, this practical guide explains essential techniques of writing fiction—from developing character to crafting plots to effectively employing literary techniques. Clear and concise enough for any beginner but wise and powerful enough for any pro, Writing in General is a classic to be savored by both aspiring and seasoned writers.
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  1. ISBN-13
    978-0547526300
  2. Edition
    Revised ed.
  3. Publisher
    Mariner Books
  4. Publication date
    September 6, 2000
  5. Language
    English
  6. File size
    2.2 MB
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"There are now not enough commercial magazines regularly publishing literary fiction to count on the fingers of a single hand," says Rust Hills. So why bother writing literary short stories, or books about doing so? Because, says Hills, a longtime fiction editor at Esquire, "what young writers want to write, or ought to want to write, is literature." In Writing in General and the Short Story in Particular, Hills examines "the essential techniques of fiction and how they function." The short story is a tricky form, with no margin for error: "The successful contemporary short story," says Hills, "will demonstrate a more harmonious relationship of all its aspects than will any other literary art form, excepting perhaps lyric poetry." Many of the fictional elements discussed in this book will not be new to most fiction writers. We know that stories must have beginnings, middles, and ends; we know about epiphany and suspense and stock characters. But Hills claims that much of how we look at fiction derives from drama theory and from the formulas of "slick fiction" (fiction that once served the purpose mindless television now serves). Learned but not pedantic, Hills addresses these elements strictly in terms of literary short fiction.

An interesting side note here is Hills's discussion of the shift in support for American writers. "It is no longer the book publishers and magazines," he says, "but rather the colleges and universities that ... provide the major financial support for the great majority of American writers today." Given that, we might find it odd that this book comes from a man best known for his magazine editing. But we shouldn't. "Teaching fiction writing and editing magazine fiction have ... the same rather odd ultimate purpose in common: trying to get someone else to produce a fine short story." One caveat emptor: our copy of this edition fell quite apart upon our first, gentle reading of it. --Jane Steinberg

Review

“When [Hills] writes about writing, we should all pay close attention.” —Richard Yates
 
“Admirable, wise, and comradely.” —John Leggett
 
“Every aspiring fiction writer ought to read this.” —Writer’s Digest

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00845508K
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mariner Books; Revised ed. edition (September 6, 2000)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 6, 2000
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.2 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 212 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 163 ratings

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L. Rust Hills

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
163 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides valuable insights and advice for new writers. They appreciate the clear writing style that helps them understand the topic of writing. The book is concise and easy to follow, providing a good balance of short story and novel guidance.

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Value for moneyWriting styleClarity
18 customers mention "Value for money"15 positive3 negative

Customers find the book a valuable resource for new writers. They appreciate the insightful content, solid teaching, and clear explanations of major concepts. Readers describe it as a critical guide with excellent advice from a master teacher.

"...just the right amount of novel writing guidance to go with it, this is your book...." Read more

"...The bullet points and reminders are useful to go over when editing." Read more

"...Some of this book's content was interesting but it did not capture me and I had to force myself to keep reading it to completion...." Read more

"...You will come out of reading this book and feeling like you know all the major concepts and will be able to apply them to your work of fiction...." Read more

8 customers mention "Writing style"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's writing style clear and concise. They appreciate the guidance on writing short stories in terms that writers can understand. The small sections help readers understand the topic better. Readers describe the book as easy to read and humorous. It makes them rethink their approach to writing short stories.

"If you are looking for one of the greatest books to help you begin writting short stories, with just the right amount of novel writing guidance to..." Read more

"...I wanted to be able to keep it handy, because it's much more concise and clear than other books that promise the same thing...." Read more

"...Hands down, this is the best book on writing. I have used it time and time again to refresh the concepts of fiction...." Read more

"and questions some common tropes about writing such as, "show, don't tell." Very valuable insights...." Read more

5 customers mention "Clarity"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book clear and easy to follow. They appreciate the concise writing style and the abundance of information provided.

"I find this clear, logical and thoughtful; a great book to use for a resource, as well as for beginning short story writers...." Read more

"Sophisticated and clear. Though written years ago, this is still be best guide I have found..." Read more

"I love this book--it's easy to follow and has so much information!! Every short story writer should have a copy!" Read more

"Concise, clear, and helpful..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Don Bell
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must for first time short story writers and those who have been writing just long enough to think they know . . .
    Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    If you are looking for one of the greatest books to help you begin writting short stories, with just the right amount of novel writing guidance to go with it, this is your book. Starting by explaining the difference in planning and writing each of these generes, and ending with a great number of chapters which explain how to do all the things needed to write a great simple short story and often a simple chapter of a larger story. From the characterization to the plotting of your genre. Openings, closings and foreshadowing are added to the middles you already have in mind. Tension, stress and motivation are other suspense tools to add to a story. Beginnings and endings are important but when would you determine where to start and where to end...usually after a great first draft. But most of all, all of these things are written in terms that the writer can, or should be learning, to understand. All of this and a whole lot more trimmed down in bite sized packages of knowledge that will make it all fun to do! The worst that could happen would be to really learn to understand and appreciate short stories and novels.
    Don Bell, Glendale, Arizona tinkerbelldos@cox.net
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Customer reviewer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Concise, clear, and helpful
    Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book after having borrowed it from the college library. I wanted to be able to keep it handy, because it's much more concise and clear than other books that promise the same thing. The author doesn't spend much time on theory, but rather gets down to the bare bones, wich is really helpful when you've read many similar titles.

    Purchase this as a quick read but also as a reference book. The bullet points and reminders are useful to go over when editing.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • Terra De Lora
    5.0 out of 5 stars No Trouble Receiving the Book I Ordered
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Other customers should know I had no trouble receiving the book, Writing in General and the Story in Particular I ordered.
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  • Orr.Orovan
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not for me
    Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Not sure if my opinion counts because I am not a professional writer. I read this book because I like to read and I became interested is seeing what it was about because of its title. Some of this book's content was interesting but it did not capture me and I had to force myself to keep reading it to completion. No regrets for having spent the time to read it but it was not enjoyable.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Gustav
    5.0 out of 5 stars Where's the kindle edition of this?
    Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I own thirty plus writing books and by far Rust Hill's book "Writing in General and the Short Story in Particular" would be the writing book I would be stranded with on a desert island.

    He breaks down every part of a story in small sections that really helps the reader understand the topic of writing. You will come out of reading this book and feeling like you know all the major concepts and will be able to apply them to your work of fiction.

    Hands down, this is the best book on writing. I have used it time and time again to refresh the concepts of fiction. I highly recommend this book to everyone who writes fiction, especially short fiction.

    To amazon, please put this on the kindle!
    28 people found this helpful
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  • Mrs Bridge
    5.0 out of 5 stars Concise, clear
    Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    and questions some common tropes about writing such as, "show, don't tell." Very valuable insights. I will keep this book on my shelf long after I've tossed other books about writing.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Sharon Hampton
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellant advice from an master teacher
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Need I say more. I bought used and marked and highighted it up. If available new, I'll be gifting my writer friends with ths one.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Seth Moody
    5.0 out of 5 stars Should you read WIGATSSIP?
    Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Do wonder why so many short stories have a vague or slight theme; if a short story has to have an internal shift in a character; what the difference is between a short story and novel besides word count?

    Do you write sketches and wonder why they're not short stories? Do you want some good advice that isn't formula, nor abstract opinion?

    This book is easy to read, is beautifully written, and is funny, urbane, and humble.
    25 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • camcwade
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in Canada on November 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Good condition, essential reading.
    Report
  • Dinesh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essense of short stories .
    Reviewed in India on November 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is like philosophy of short story writing.it gives you gist essense of what short story writing is about.do read it
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  • Happyface
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clarity
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Hills has views on things.

    He also has complete clarity on what constitutes a good literary short story, and having read his book it’s hard to disagree with him.

    Although he’s wrong about Browning.
    Report

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