Novel Study Decoding the Secrets and Structures of Contemporary Fiction

Most writing advice is designed to help you get from an idea to a finished draft, focusing on general principles and conventional wisdom that can flatten out creative storytelling and unique voices. In Novel Study, Kristen Tate delves into the techniques used by today's most successful novelists and translates them into practical tools you can use in your own work. Through close reading and structural analysis of examples from a diverse range of contemporary novelists-including Ann Patchett, N.K. Jemisin, Tana French, Casey McQuiston, and Rebecca Roanhorse-Novel Study addresses common challenges faced by fiction writers: Each chapter begins with a key question and ends with concrete takeaways you can immediately apply to your writing. Novel Study includes nine full-color charts and graphs that illustrate many of the techniques discussed.