New ArrivalsHoliday Hosting & EntertainingChristmasGift IdeasAI Gift FinderClothing, Shoes & AccessoriesHomeFurnitureToysElectronicsBeautyGift CardsCharacter ShopBabyKitchen & DiningGroceryHousehold EssentialsSchool & Office SuppliesVideo GamesMovies, Music & BooksParty SuppliesBackpacks & LuggageSports & OutdoorsPersonal CareHealthPetsUlta Beauty at TargetTarget OpticalDealsClearanceTarget New Arrivals Target Finds #TargetStyleHanukkahStore EventsAsian-Owned Brands at TargetBlack-Owned or Founded Brands at TargetLatino-Owned Brands at TargetWomen-Owned Brands at TargetLGBTQIA+ ShopTop DealsTarget Circle DealsWeekly AdShop Order PickupShop Same Day DeliveryRegistryRedCardTarget CircleFind Stores
Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction - by  Patricia Highsmith (Paperback) - 1 of 1

Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction - by Patricia Highsmith (Paperback)

$13.19Save $4.81 (27% off)

In Stock

Eligible for registries and wish lists

Sponsored

About this item

Highlights

  • 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.
  • About the Author: 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 Littérature Policière (1957) and the British Crime Writers Associations's Silver Dagger (1964).
  • 160 Pages
  • Language + Art + Disciplines, Writing

Description



About the Book



Originally published in Great Britain by Polar Press Limited.



Book Synopsis



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.



Review Quotes




"[This book offers] sensible, good-humored, and practical advice from a distinguished mystery writer. Much of what [Highsmith] says about novels can be applied to short stories." --Damon Knight

"[Highsmith] is no more a practitioner of the murder mystery genre than are Dostoevsky, Faulkner, and Camus." --Joan Smith, The Los Angeles Times

"For eliciting the menace that lurks in familiar surroundings, there's no one like Patricia Highsmith." --Time




About the Author



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 Littérature Policière (1957) and the British Crime Writers Associations's Silver Dagger (1964).

Dimensions (Overall): 8.1 Inches (H) x 5.5 Inches (W) x .5 Inches (D)
Weight: .35 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 160
Genre: Language + Art + Disciplines
Sub-Genre: Writing
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Format: Paperback
Author: Patricia Highsmith
Language: English
Street Date: September 8, 2001
TCIN: 77255847
UPC: 9780312286668
Item Number (DPCI): 247-52-4378
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
If the item details aren’t accurate or complete, we want to know about it.

Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 0.5 inches length x 5.5 inches width x 8.1 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.35 pounds
We regret that this item cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.
This item cannot be shipped to the following locations: American Samoa (see also separate entry under AS), Guam (see also separate entry under GU), Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico (see also separate entry under PR), United States Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands, U.S., APO/FPO

Return details

This item can be returned to any Target store or Target.com.
This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup.
See the return policy for complete information.

Guests also viewed

Ernest Hemingway on Writing - by  Larry W Phillips (Paperback)

$12.31
MSRP $17.99
Buy 1, get 1 50% off select books & accessories

The Writing of Fiction - by  Edith Wharton (Paperback)

$9.99
MSRP $15.00
Buy 1, get 1 50% off select books & accessories

Intellectual Memoirs: New York, 1936-1938 - (Harvest Book) by  Mary McCarthy (Paperback)

$11.39
MSRP $15.99
Buy 1, get 1 50% off select books & accessories

107 Days - by Kamala Harris (Hardcover)

$19.31
was $20.98 New lower price
Buy 1, get 1 50% off select books & accessories
4 out of 5 stars with 57 ratings

Justice, Justice Thou Shalt Pursue - by  Ruth Bader Ginsburg & Amanda L Tyler (Paperback)

$11.98
MSRP $17.99
Buy 1, get 1 50% off select books & accessories

Discover more options

The Very Best of the Best - (Year's Best Science Fiction) by  Gardner Dozois (Paperback)

$13.85
MSRP $23.99
Buy 1, get 1 50% off select books & accessories

Edith's Diary - by  Patricia Highsmith (Paperback)

$12.99
MSRP $16.00
Buy 1, get 1 50% off select books & accessories

The Cry of the Owl - by  Patricia Highsmith (Paperback)

$10.66
MSRP $17.00
Buy 1, get 1 50% off select books & accessories

Tales of Natural and Unnatural Catastrophes - by  Patricia Highsmith (Paperback)

$11.90
MSRP $17.00
Buy 1, get 1 50% off select books & accessories

Found in the Street - by  Patricia Highsmith (Paperback)

$10.15
MSRP $15.00
Buy 1, get 1 50% off select books & accessories

Related Categories

Get top deals, latest trends, and more.

Privacy policy

Footer

About Us

About TargetCareersNews & BlogTarget BrandsBullseye ShopSustainability & GovernancePress CenterAdvertise with UsInvestorsAffiliates & PartnersSuppliersTargetPlus

Help

Target HelpReturnsTrack OrdersRecallsContact UsFeedbackAccessibilitySecurity & FraudTeam Member ServicesLegal & Privacy

Stores

Find a StoreClinicPharmacyTarget OpticalMore In-Store Services

Services

Target Circle™Target Circle™ CardTarget Circle 360™Target AppRegistrySame Day DeliveryOrder PickupDrive UpFree 2-Day ShippingShipping & DeliveryMore Services
PinterestFacebookInstagramXYoutubeTiktokTermsCA Supply ChainPrivacy PolicyCA Privacy RightsYour Privacy ChoicesInterest Based AdsHealth Privacy Policy