What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers (3rd Edition)

The book is split up into fifteen different sections (two of these are devoted to the short stories and short-shorts), each with several exercises. Each section discusses a particular part of story writing including, beginnings, plot, POV, characterization, dialogue, styles and rewrites. I found the majority of the exercises useful, and nearly all of the lessons and discussions worthwhile. There where even a few "Ah-ha!" exercises that instantly solved, or gave me ideas on how to tackle, a problem that I'd been dealing with.

This book can be used in two ways. The first is to use it to strengthen your weaknesses. If you feel that your writing is lacking in a certain area, you can focus entirely on the lessons and exercises to improve that area. The second way to use this book is to read it straight through for the lessons and advise while using the exercises to further your writing. Either way, I believe that any writer will find "What If?" a useful tool.


Journalist trying his hand at fiction   April 22, 2000
Timothy Daiss, M.A. (Metro-Manila, Philippines (Atlanta, GA USA))
42 out of 45 found this review helpful

Last year I had the priviledge of having a non-fiction book published and I continue to work as a journalist. Obviously, these skills haven't prepared me for writing my first novel. But not to worry. At my side (actually on my writing desk) is a copy of What if? and it has taught, inspired and encouraged me in my quest for the great American novel. Not only that, its just plain fun to read and work the exercises. The chapters on characterization, point of view, dialogue and plot are excellent. I recommend this to any writer that needs to hone his fiction writing skills or learn them for the first time. Hats off to the authors -- Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter.


Two very enthusiastic thumbs up!   December 23, 1998
Ledger7633@aol.com Les Edgerton (Fort Wayne, IN)
36 out of 38 found this review helpful

I teach creative writing in the UCLA Writer's Program (online) and always recommend this book to my students as one of the two best books (along with Janet Burroway's "Writing Fiction") on the craft of writing ever penned. I have used the information in this book time and again in writing my own novels and stories ("The Death of Tarpons" (novel), "Monday's Meal" (story collection), "Over Easy" (thriller forthcoming from Random House, 1999). A more intelligent book than this has yet to be written. If you aspire to create memorable, quality prose, you must buy this book! It will aid you throughout your writing career in thousands of ways. Five stars is not enough to award this book, which I'm sure is destined to become a classic if it is not already considered so.


Please don't let it go out of print!   January 19, 2000
Susan Ito (California)
27 out of 28 found this review helpful

I have been teaching writing and using this book for over five years. It has been beyond invaluable for me and my students, and I don't know how I am going to live without it.

The earlier, brown version is not the greatest, but the "Revised and Expanded" 1995 edition (blue cover) is fabulous. We were supposed to get a new 2000 edition in January, but now I heard that Prentice-Hall has decided not to do the new edition. So "What If?" is now out of print. NO!


Great book for a college class   December 16, 2003
Jeff C. Vande Zande (Bay City, MI United States)
21 out of 21 found this review helpful

I teach short fiction writing at a college in Michigan. I've used the first edition of this book for four semesters, and I just had a chance to peruse the second edition. Great stuff! The exercises in this book teach the elements of story writing, but they do it in an interesting and interactive way. Students will learn about Starting in the Middle, Strong Dialogue, Conflict, Endings, Titles, Naming Characters, the Internal Life of Characters, and much more. I use the text in an introductory course, so I don't get to all of the exercises. Some cover more advanced issues than others, but this book is helpful to almost any level of fiction writer. I am a writer too, and every time I use the book with my students, my own stories get a little stronger. If you're a fiction teacher, try this book. If you're a writer looking to advance your skills, this book could also be a big help. You'll find stuff that goes beyond the routine fiction-writing advice.