Amazon.com
Suspense, like other genre fiction, is often assumed to be inferior in quality to more "serious" fiction. A suspense story can be every bit as well-wrought as any other, argues Patricia Highsmith in Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction. To show how, Highsmith focuses as much on her failures as on her successes. Amid discussions about growing ideas, story development, plotting, first and second drafts, and revisions are anecdotes from Highsmith's own career. Highsmith (Strangers on a Train) admits to editing with crayon (doing so "gives one the proper cavalier attitude"), napping on the job (it helps solve problems), and having written one "really dull" book. Though this book is slim, there are some lovely thoughts on such issues as creating a murderer-hero with "pleasant qualities," "stretch[ing] the reader's credulity," and using "as much care in depicting the face and appearance of ... main characters" as a painter would with a portrait. --Jane Steinberg
From Library Journal
The late Highsmith, author of 27 works of fiction, including The Talented Mr. Ripley, wrote this book over 20 years ago to help new writers craft suspense fiction. Writers will be glad that it has finally been published. Not that there is a lot of new information here the pleasure is in the style of the book. It is casual and personal, and writers will feel as if Highsmith herself were sitting next to them sharing tips and bits of advice she gleaned from years of experience. The book begins with getting ideas and moves on to plotting, drafts, snags, and revisions. A "case history" of her novel The Glass Cell and some general notes on suspense conclude the book. The book offers useful instructions to writers, plus a glimpse at how a suspense writer works. Highly recommended for public libraries. Lisa J. Cihlar, Monroe P.L., WI
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Pressestimmen
"[This book offers] sensible, good-humored, and practical advice from a distinguished mystery writer. Much of what [Highsmith] says about novels can be applied to short stories."—Damon Knight
"[Highsmith] is no more a practitioner of the murder mystery genre than are Dostoevsky, Faulkner, and Camus."—Joan Smith, The Los Angeles Times
"For eliciting the menace that lurks in familiar surroundings, there's no one like Patricia Highsmith."—Time
"[Highsmith] is no more a practitioner of the murder mystery genre than are Dostoevsky, Faulkner, and Camus."—Joan Smith, The Los Angeles Times
"For eliciting the menace that lurks in familiar surroundings, there's no one like Patricia Highsmith."—Time
Kurzbeschreibung
Patricia Highsmith, author of Strangers On a Train, The Talented Mr.Ripley, Found In The Street, and many other books, is known as one of the finest suspense novelists. In this book, she analyzes the key elements of suspense fiction, drawing upon her own experience in four decades as a working writer. She talks about, among other topics; how to develop a complete story from an idea; what makes a plot gripping; the use (and abuse) of coincidence; characterization and the "likeable criminal"; going from first draft to final draft; and writing the suspense short story.
Throughout the book, Highsmith illustrates her points with plentiful examples from her own work, and by discussing her own inspirations, false starts, dead ends, successes, and failures, she presents a lively and highly readable picture of the novelist at work.
Anyone who wishes to write crime and suspense fiction, or who enjoys reading it, will find this book an insightful guide to the craft and art of a modern master.
Throughout the book, Highsmith illustrates her points with plentiful examples from her own work, and by discussing her own inspirations, false starts, dead ends, successes, and failures, she presents a lively and highly readable picture of the novelist at work.
Anyone who wishes to write crime and suspense fiction, or who enjoys reading it, will find this book an insightful guide to the craft and art of a modern master.
Über den Autor
The great mystery/suspense writer Patricia Highsmith published more than two dozen works of fiction, as well as numerous reviews and essays, and was awarded the French Grand Prix de Littérature Policière (1957) and the British Crime Writers Associations's Silver Dagger (1964).
