Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction

by Highsmith, Patricia

• ISBN13: 9780312286668
• ISBN10: 031228666X
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-09-08
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Summary

Patricia Highsmith, author of Strangers On a Train, The Talented Mr.Ripley, Found In The Street, and many other books, is known as one of the finest suspense novelists. In this book, she analyzes the key elements of suspense fiction, drawing upon her own experience in four decades as a working writer. She talks about, among other topics; how to develop a complete story from an idea; what makes a plot gripping; the use (and abuse) of coincidence; characterization and the "likeable criminal"; going from first draft to final draft; and writing the suspense short story. Throughout the book, Highsmith illustrates her points with plentiful examples from her own work, and by discussing her own inspirations, false starts, dead ends, successes, and failures, she presents a lively and highly readable picture of the novelist at work. Anyone who wishes to write crime and suspense fiction, or who enjoys reading it, will find this book an insightful guide to the craft and art of a modern master. AUTHORBIO: The late Patricia Highsmith was reknowned as a great writer of suspense, winning the French Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere(1957) and the British Crime Writers Association's Silver Dagger in 1964. She is the author of twenty seven works of fiction, as well as numerous reviews and essays.

Author Biography

The great mystery/suspense writer Patricia Highsmith published more than two dozen works of fiction, as well as numerous reviews and essays, and was awarded the French Grand Prix de LittTrature PoliciFre (1957) and the British Crime Writers Associations's Silver Dagger (1964).

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Foreword	xi
The Germ of an Idea	3	(11)
Mainly on Using Experiences	14	(13)
The Suspense Short Story	27	(10)
Development	37	(16)
Plotting	53	(8)
The First Draft	61	(21)
The Snags	82	(15)
The Second Draft	97	(6)
The Revisions	103	(5)
The Case History of a Novel: The Glass Cell	108	(25)
Some Notes on Suspense in General	133