The writing of fiction: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The writing of fiction: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The writing of fiction is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Wharton, Edith (1862–1937).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Writing of Fiction" by Edith Wharton is a guide on the craft of writing fiction, written in the early 20th century. This work explores the fundamentals of storytelling, including character development, narrative structure, and the evolution of the novel as an art form. Through her analysis of historical figures in literature, Wharton aims to illuminate the principles of effective fiction writing and the nuanced role of technique in achieving emotional depth and realism. The opening of the text sets the stage for a discussion on the nature and evolution of fiction, illustrating how modern novels shifted from external action to exploring the inner lives of characters. Wharton emphasizes the transformative contributions of notable writers like Balzac and Stendhal, who moved away from conventional narrative forms to create complex, relatable characters influenced by their environments. She critiques both the superficial slice-of-life style and the unoriginality in contemporary writing, thereby advocating for a thoughtful, deeper approach to craft that engages both the writer's imagination and their moral reasoning.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The writing of fiction
- Author credits: Wharton, Edith (1862–1937)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Creative writing
- Fiction -- Authorship
- Fiction -- Technique
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches
- Category: How To ...
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


