179 ways to save a novel - Peter Selgin

Looking for ways to fix your novel? Or: Is your fiction writing in peril?

Based on real advice gleaned from thousands of writing critiques, 179 Ways to Save a Novel is more than a collection of ideas for troubleshooting your work-in-progress (though it holds plenty of practical writing advice). This inspiring guide doubles as a thoughtful examination of the writing life-and not just with respect to writing, but to the reading habits and thought processes of writers.

The 179 meditations in this book are grouped under six headings:

• Substance
• Structure
• Style
• Symbol, Myth & Metaphor
• Soul
• and Other Matters

Dip into the book at random when in need of nonspecific advice, inspiration, or criticism. Or read it straight through for a deeper examination of the writing life. However you encounter them, these meditations are guaranteed to challenge, inspire, provoke-and occasionally to tickle or annoy. But most of all they'll awaken a deeper awareness of the fiction writer's many challenges and thorny choices.