Reddit reviews Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft (8th Edition)

If you want to write, write.

Most novice writers are not good. I'm not good, but I write because I love writing. Keep writing and you'll become better.

Somethings that I noticed while reading it once-over:

> A half empty whiskey bottle sat on the nightstand, its remaining contents enjoying their final moments of freedom

How is bottled liquid ever free?

> Worldly matters were hardly his concern anymore.

This feeling could be very powerful shown rather than told. Show the reader his feelings through action.

> he whispered.

and

> remarked Craig

And

> he coughed

and

> he slurred

There is nothing wrong with "he said." The impact of 'he whispers' isn't as intense when you frequently use tags like this.

If you seriously want to get into writing, I recommend Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft (8th Edition) by Janet Burroway. It's a great book for beginning writers and has some absolutely fantastic samples.

Best of luck.

Happily. Here a few few quick resources I found for you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plot_(narrative)

http://www.storymastery.com/articles/34-ten-simple-keys-to-plot-structure

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/how-to-structure-a-story-the-eight-point-arc/


And here a couple references that might interest you if you want more detail on what we generally expect from fiction:

http://www.amazon.com/Plot-Structure-Techniques-Exercises-Crafting/dp/158297294X

http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Fiction-Guide-Narrative-Edition/dp/0205750346


Now, I hope you don't mind if I assume you may feel that I have attacked your opinion of ME3 with my comments. It wasn't my intention to say that you can't enjoy it. Hell, I'm happy for you if you did. But there is a real difference between enjoying something and believing it is good.

In the case of ME3, we can see that some of the most well established principles of writing, thematic and structural elements which are integral to the crafting of a quality narrative, have been abandoned.

If you honestly want to know more, I'd encourage you to take a course in creative writing, or even better, in literary history. With a little background and perspective, you can start to understand why some books, films and games seem to be lacking and why others have a stronger appeal.

EDIT: As I look at your post again, I wonder why you are asking me for specific examples at all, when I have clearly outlined a major structural failing of the narrative in my last post. Oh well, maybe this additional information will be of use to you anyway.

This is writing. Kick at darkness till it bleeds ... something decent.

I envision an image, and draw it like a 9 year old. Because no practice.

I'm no genius at storytelling, but find like anything the skill slowly grows. Best resource I've ever come across was Janet Burroway. Like drawing, storytelling requires a specific set of skills you can hone.

this has been the most illuminative book for me:

http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Fiction-Guide-Narrative-Edition/dp/0205750346