by Mike Klaassen

Created on: March 12, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

Book Review of
FICTION FIRST AID: Instant Remedies for Novels, Stories and Scripts
By Raymond Obstfeld
2002, Writer's Digest Books

HIGH ON MY LIST OF FAVORITES

FICTION FIRST AID, by Raymond Obstfeld, is packed with practical, no-nonsense tips for troubleshooting a manuscript that "needs something." This is a great one to grab when your current project seems to be getting stale or turning sour.

It's organized simply, with chapters about plot, characterization, setting, style, and theme. Each chapter has sections describing symptoms, the ailment, diagnosis, and treatment. Examples of symptoms include:
Writer's block
Predictable plots
Ho-hum suspense
Flat pay-off scenes
Contrived pivotal action
Flat scenes
Low stakes
One-dimensional antagonist
Low-impact settings
Bland phrasing
Emotionally shallow characters
Melodrama
Imitative theme

The final chapter deals with the writer's life and addresses such issues as:
Finding more time to write
How you can tell if your writing is good
How much outlining is needed
Getting the most out of a writing workshop
Manuscript revision
Improving your writing by reading fiction

Because the author's approach assumes that the reader has already written a manuscript, I wouldn't recommend Fiction First Aid as the very first "how-to" book for a novice. But this one is high on my list of favorites.

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