"I recommend this book to all aspiring novelists." -Kent Carroll, Publisher and Executive Editor Carroll & Graf "I would not hesitate to recommend The Elements of Storytelling to aspiring writers, or to better published ones who need to be reminded of the essentials of the craft. (That's all of us, by the way!)" -Robert Goddard Author of In Pale Battalions and Full Circle "Should be on every writer's bookshelf right between The Elements of Style and the thesaurus." -Tom Colgan, Senior Editor Avon Books "A wonderful book that every aspiring professional writer should own." -Matthew Bialer, literary agent William Morris Agency Telling a story is one of the most basic-and difficult-challenges a fiction writer must face. Acclaimed author, editor, and literary agent Peter Rubie knows that challenge firsthand. By sharing his creative and critical expertise, he gives you the helpful advice you need to master the art of storytelling, including how to: * Create compelling characters and strong plotlines * Pace a story and develop a coherent structure and style * Refine your technique with thought-provoking exercises that hone your storytelling skills * Anticipate the realities of getting your work published-how to make it happen while maintaining confidence and motivation