By Noah Lukeman
St. Martin's Press
Hardcover

Ask around and you will find that people everywhere dream of writing great fiction. They have ideas floating around in their heads that have never quite made it to paper. Those who actually sit down to get the story done sometimes find it difficult to transfer the story in their heads to that blank, white page.

The Plot Thickens Excerpt There are no steps, paths, no things you must do, and no things you cannot do. This is not a book of rules and mandates. On the contrary, this book grapples, philosophically and practically, with age-old principles of story. This is not a safe book. It is impossible for you to read it and not walk away armed with a host of new ideas. It will push you to your limits, as it forces you to explore every last aspect of your work. ©2002 Noah Lukeman Published with permission from St. Martin's Press

In The Plot Thickens, Noah Lukeman, a seasoned literary agent, shares wisdom he has gained in reading thousands of manuscripts. He has seen the good and the bad. He challenges the fiction writer to delve into every character in order to create a compelling plot. In his estimation, characters will begin to act on their own if the writer has explored them from all angles.

The book recommends examining characters from the perspective of anyone who might meet them -- from a prospective employer to a matchmaker looking to arrange a blind date. Is the character trustworthy? Does she unknowingly contradict her beliefs with her actions?

Lukeman's rapid-fire questions will leave the casual reader's head spinning. Although he says there is no formula for great fiction, he offers thought-provoking insights to prompt serious writers to dig down deep for stories that reach beyond the ordinary.

Bookworm's Briefing
The Plot Thickens is a book that deserves a prominent place on any writer's bookshelf. Noah Lukeman is also the author of The First Five Pages, a bestseller that has found its way into the curriculum at many universities.