Writing of Fiction

Originally published in 1925, 'The Writing of Fiction' was written by Edith Wharton, a prolific writer and one of the twentieth century's greatest authors. This book is a window into Wharton's mind as she ponders the intertwined arts of writing and reading. Wharton provides invaluable insight on the subjects of character, the challenge of finely-tuned short stories, the construction of a novel, and more. Beyond a treatise on craft, it is a sweeping meditation by a masterful practitioner and a rare chance to experience the inimitable voice of one of America's most influential novelists. In this, Wharton stresses the importance of writers putting thought into how they build their story, from selecting subject matter and fashioning characters to crafting situations and settings. She explores the history of modern fiction and the contributions of Honore de Balzac and Stendhal. She even examines the difference between literary and commercial fiction, as well as the work of Marcel Proust. Although Wharton passed away in 1937, her advice here endures and is bound to inspire writers for ages to come.