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The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth
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The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth Hardback - 2000 - 1st Edition

by James N. Frey

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Reader reviews for The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth

From the publisher

In his widely read guides "How to Write a Damn Good Novel" and "How to Write a Damn Good Novel II: Advanced Techniques," popular novelist and fiction-writing coach James N. Frey showed tens of thousands of writers how--starting with rounded, living, breathing, dynamic characters--to structure a novel that sustains its tension and development and ends in a satisfying, dramatic climax.
Now, in "The Key," Frey takes his no-nonsense, "Damn Good" approach and applies it to Joseph Campbell's insights into the universal structure of myths. Myths, says Frey, are the basis of all storytelling, and their structures and motifs are just as powerful for contemporary writers as they were for Homer. Frey begins with the qualities found in mythic heros--ancient and modern--such as the hero's special talent, his or her wound, status as an "outlaw," and so on. He then demonstrates how the hero is initiated--sent on a mission, forced to learn the new rules, tested, and suffers a symbolic death and rebirth--before he or she can return home. Using dozens of classical and contemporary novels and films as models, Frey shows how these motifs and forms work their powerful magic on the reader's imagination.
"The Key" is designed as a practical step-by-step guide for fiction writers and screen writers who want to shape their own ideas into a mythic story.

First line

This book is intended to help fiction writers create myth-based fiction, a type of fiction that has the power to profoundly move a reader.

Details

  • Title The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth
  • Author James N. Frey
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition number 1st
  • Edition 1
  • Pages 272
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher St. Martin's Press, New York
  • Publication date June 8, 2000
  • ISBN 9780312241971 / 0312241976
  • Weight 0.94 lbs (0.43 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.63 x 5.87 x 0.94 in (21.92 x 14.91 x 2.39 cm)
  • Category Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy
  • Library of Congress subjects Myth in literature, Fiction - Technique
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 00025606
  • Dewey Decimal Code 808.3

About the author

James N. Frey is the author of two internationally best-selling books on the craft of fiction writing, "How to Write a Damn Good Novel" and "How to Write a Damn Good Novel II: Advanced Techniques," as well as nine novels. He has taught at the University of California at Berkeley, Extension, the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, and the Oregon Writers' Colony, and he is a featured speaker at writers' conferences throughout the United States and in Europe. He lives with his--he says, "truly heroic"--wife, Liza, in Berkeley, California.

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The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth
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The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth

by Frey, James N.

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  • Hardback
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312241971 / 0312241976
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St. Martin's Press, 2000-06-08. Hardcover. Good. 1.1102 in x 9.1299 in x 6.5709 in.
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The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth
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The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth

by Frey, James N.

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9780312241971 / 0312241976
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St. Martin's Press. 1. Very Good. With dust jacket. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
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The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth
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The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth

by Frey, James N.

  • Used
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Very good
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1
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312241971 / 0312241976
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St. Martin's Press. 1. Very Good. With dust jacket. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
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The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth
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The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth

by Frey, James N.

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312241971 / 0312241976
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St. Martin's Press. Used - Very Good. Very Good condition. Like New dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner’s name, short gifter’s inscription or light stamp.
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The Key : How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth
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The Key : How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth

by Frey, James N

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312241971 / 0312241976
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St. Martin's Press. Used - Very Good. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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The Key : How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth

The Key : How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth

by James N. Frey

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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St. Martin's Press, 2000. Hardcover. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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The Key : How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth
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The Key : How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth

by Frey, James N

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312241971 / 0312241976
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St. Martin's Press. Used - Very Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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The Key : How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth
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The Key : How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth

by Frey, James N

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312241971 / 0312241976
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Description:
St. Martin's Press. Used - Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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The Key : How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth
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The Key : How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth

by Frey, James N

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312241971 / 0312241976
Quantity available
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Description:
St. Martin's Press. Used - Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth

The Key: How to Write Damn Good Fiction Using the Power of Myth

by Frey, James N

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780312241971 / 0312241976
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Book and dust jacket are in fine condition. The image provided is the actual book I'm offering for sale. No markings or damage to any pages. No sunning. No clips. Structure of the book (covers, binding, spine, hinges) is tight and free of damage. Page block is nice and square. Cut pages. Additional photos will be provided upon request in order to ensure the quality and integrity of your book purchase.
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