The head of the writing program at Orange Coast College in California and a prolific author with 27 novels to his credit, as well as screenplays, short stories, and 13 nonfiction books, Obstfeld here addresses writers who need help fixing specific areas of their fiction. The book has a strong outline structure, which makes the text easy to follow and accessible to readers looking for specific areas of interest. The topics covered are plot, characterization, setting, style, and theme. In keeping with the title, the author uses first-aid terminology (e.g., ailment, diagnosis, and treatment) as a device to move the reader along. Physical therapy sections give short writing exercises, and case studies look at works that provide both good and bad examples to study. Hints at the end of the book cover grammar mistakes, and Obstfeld recommends that if you want to write you need to read and study a lot of authors. This how-to book will be checked out where books on writing are popular. Recommended for public libraries. Lisa J. Cihlar, Monroe P.L., WI Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
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