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Writing fiction is easy. "It's writing compelling, readable, publishable fiction that's challenging," Kelly James-Enger says. She's right. Writers are told to add depth to their stories, but not how. Between the Lines is an easy nuts-and-bolts and how-to book for all writers.

Jessica Morrell writes about the many aspects we all learned about in school - from foreshadowing, flashbacks, prologues, description, and suspense. Even theme is addressed (to my surprise). Everything that makes a story fantastic is covered.

Each chapter starts off with a quote that relates to the subject. For instance, the chapter on Tension starts with the quote: "When in doubt, have a man come through the door with a gun in his hand." (Raymond Chandler) She then gives a brief overview of it and gives examples. She also tells how to apply it into your writing whether it be by cliffhangers or characters that don't agree with one another. The content is insightful and interesting on each and every page.

Like most how-to books, this is semi-formal and acts like a teacher rather than a guide. The wording is smooth and easy to understand. I was never sent to the dictionary in order to understand what the author was conveying. There are also several boxes in the chapters that give quick pointers or brilliant examples of the aspect being discussed. They point out common mistakes or send you to the most helpful examples that are already written in the form of another book.

All in all, Between the Lines is a wonderful book to learn the ins and outs of the story elements. Linda Elin Hamner (Letters from Cleo and Tyrone) states, "Jessica Morrell understands the writing process and the writer. Whether you are a beginning writer or a seasoned pro, Between the Lines will instruct, inform, and inspire. This is the essential guide."

Learn more about this author, Erica Jobman.
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