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Quote by Sol Stein

“Dialogue is a lean language in which every word counts.”

Quote by Sol Stein

Book:Stein On Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies

Work

Stein On Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies

In this comprehensive guide, the editor shares his expertise on various aspects of writing, including structure, character development, and storytelling. The book is intended for both aspiring and established writers looking to improve their craft. more

Author

Sol Stein is a renowned American author, editor, and publisher, born on October 13, 1926. He is known for his unique editing skills and profound understanding of literary creation, having edited works of many notable authors, including James Joyce and Norman Mailer. more

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“Most of the time, tough, combative, adversarial dialogue is much more exciting than physical action.”

Writing Action Tough Exciting Dialogue

Author:Sol Stein

“Dialogue, contrary to popular view, is not a recording of actual speech; it is a semblance of speech, an invented language of exchanges that build in tempo or content toward climaxes.”

Writing Language Views Speech Contrary Dialogue Tempo Climax Semblance

Book:Stein On Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies

Source: Stein On Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies

“Readers take in dialogue one thought at a time. A frequent mistake of beginners is to combine thoughts, which may be suitable for other forms of writing but not for dialogue. Another mistake is speechifying. Three sentences at a time is tops, yet many beginners write speeches that go on and on.”

Writing May Form Three Mistake Goes On Reader Speech Sentences Dialogue Suitable Beginners

Author:Sol Stein

“In dreams the truth is learned that all good works are done in the absence of a caress.”

Done Dream Truth Is Deeds Absence Good Work Good Deeds Caress Good Actions Deeds Done

Book:The Favourite Game

Source: The Favourite Game

“To create tension, dialogue needs to be stretched out. That is, characters should not be immediately responsive.”

Needs Should Writing Character Dialogue Tension

Author:Sol Stein

“I don't think there is a single sentence in this whole book [East of Eden] that does not either develop character, carry on the story or provide necessary background.”

Thinking Writing Doe Book Whole Character Stories Sentences East Backgrounds Eden East Of Eden Single Sentence

Book:Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters

Source: Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters

“To finish is sadness to a writer — a little death. He puts the last word down and it is done. But it isn't really done. The story goes on and leaves the writer behind, for no story is ever done.”

Writing Littles Done Stories Lasts Inspiring Behinds Sadness Goes On Down And Last Words

Author:John Steinbeck

“They must be real people. And this means that every word in every line of speech must be accurate and full of some kind of meaning which stretches not only forward in the book but stems from before in the book.”

People Writing Kind Mean Book Real Lines Speech Being Real Accurate Stem

Book:Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters

Source: Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters

“I do want to make it very convincing. And the best way to do that is to put most of it in dialogue.”

Way Want Writing Best Way Dialogue Convincing

Book:Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters

Source: Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters

“Write freely and as rapidly as possible and throw the whole thing on paper. Never correct or rewrite until the whole thing is down. Rewrite in process is usually found to be an excuse for not going on.”

Writing Whole Found Process Paper Excuse Writing Life Writers And Writing Writing By Writers Great Writing

Author:John Steinbeck