Novelists on the Novel

Gathers together discussions about the nature and craft of fiction by novelists in an attempt to clear up the confusion of novel criticism. CONTENTS PREFACE Part One: THE NATURE OF PROSE FICTION INTRODUCTION I. THE NOVEL AND THE MARVELLOUS II. THE NOVEL AS A PORTRAIT OF LIFE III. THE ETHICS OF THE NOVEL Part Two: THE GENESIS OF A NOVEL INTRODUCTION I. THE NOVELIST'S APPROACH AND EQUIPMENT II. GERMINATION III. THE NOVELIST AT WORK: EFFORT AND INSPIRATION Part Three: THE CRAFT OF FICTION INTRODUCTION I. STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS II. NARRATIVE TECHNIQUE III. CHARACTERIZATION IV. DIALOGUE V. BACKGROUND VI. STYLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS INDEX