The Modern Library Writer's Workshop: A Guide to the Craft of Fiction by Stephen Koch

Though I've not ventured far into the forest of fiction writing, Stephen Koch's guide to writing it has prepared me to do so. And though nonfiction writing is where I spend most of my time, Koch reveals the closeness of the two when he says, "It lurks near the secret heart of many a project. There is an unwritten novel silently brooding over most works of nonfiction, just as there is a true story lurking in the shadows of almost every novel or short story. The two hover near each other. To embark on one is to sense the other. This is because of their common source in the merger of imagination and fact. Reach into it and you will touch something alive, something central to the art of storytelling" (p.136). So, regardless of the arena of writing in which you find yourself, expect improvement after reading Koch's guide.

Koch relies heavily on quotes from notable authors (Hemingway, James, King, Highsmith, etc.), which lends credibility to his advice. His writing is clear and concise, not coincidentally two traits he pushes for throughout the book to ensure good writing. The sections about structure, style and voice, and revision/re-writing were particularly strong. Koch gives us permission, as it were, to dispel the fear and trepidation we have as writers by giving us encouragement and confidence that we are not alone in our journey toward improvement. Sometimes we'll get lost and need to re-examine the structure of our work. Perhaps we're worried that our voice will only be a hodge-podge of the authors we admire. Maybe the revision of our work is Everest. Koch helps us understand the normalcy of these worries, and others, and gives us good advice about what to do with them.

Overall, Koch's offering is an indispensable resource for any writer. Additionally, I've already used the index numerous times; an appreciated extra for such a relatively slim volume. This guide may have a long title, but it remains a quick and powerful read that will be pulled from your bookshelf often.