WRITING FICTION FOR PROFIT

by Charles Heckelmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 1, 1968

Mr. Heckelmann, responsible in the last three decades for such hot sand sagas as The Glory Riders, Hell in His Holsters, Guns of Arizona has undoubtedly reaped considerable profit from prolifigacy at least--and here is Heckelmann's course in fiction writing. In one sense his strictures cannot be faulted. In sections on plotting, background, characterizations, dialogue, etc. he lays bare the tricks of the trade in commercial fiction, utilizing his own expeditious prose very often as a model. However, with any writing text that does not plug for content values and the larger vision, reading to write is like learning golf from a how-to. The proof is in the putting on a very real green. Since the vitality of any work of fiction is shaped by the individual vision, even for frankly commercial ventures, this may be only moderately useful for young writers already at work. There is also a sunny run-down of avenues for publication, making it all sound easy. Applying the seat of the trousers to the seat of the typewriter chair is still the first step--even with drummers like Mr. Heckelmann supplying the cushion.

Pub Date: Jan. 1, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Coward-McCann

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION