BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form
Stock photo: cover may vary

Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form Paperback - 2000

by Madison Smartt Bell

Add to wish list

With clarity, verve, and the sure instincts of a good teacher, bestselling author Madison Smartt Bell illuminates the process of narrative design. In essays and analyses of twelve stories by established writers and students, Bell emphasizes the primary importance of form as the backdrop against which all other elements of a story much work. Discussions of the unconscious mind and creativity reinforce other essentials of good writing.

Reader reviews for Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form

Write a review for this book

There are no reviews for this book yet. Be the first to write a review!

Your review will be anonymous unless you login or create an account first.

Overall rating
Remember: You’re rating the book as a work, not the seller or the condition of the specific copy you purchased!

Important Terms and Guidelines

  • Please focus on the book’s content and context. Also, add any personal comments as to how you enjoyed the book. Substantiate your likes and dislikes. You may make comparisons to other books.
  • Reviews must be at least 140 characters in length.
  • Please do not reveal critical plot elements.
  • This is not a help line. Contact customer support if you need help.
Your review must not include:
  • Obscenities, discriminatory language, or other insulting language not suitable for public domain
  • Advertisements, “spam” content, or references to other products, offers or websites.
  • Email addresses, URLs, phone numbers, physical addresses or other contact information.
  • Overly critical comments about other reviews or reviewers
  • Time-sensitive material (i.e. promotional tours, seminars, lectures, etc.)
  • Availability, price, or alternative ordering/shipping information

From the publisher

Focusing on the big picture as well as the crucial details, Bell examines twelve stories by both established writers (including Peter Taylor, Mary Gaitskill, and Carolyn Chute) and his own former students. A story's use of time, plot, character, and other elements of fiction are analyzed, and readers are challenged to see each story's flaws and strengths. Careful endnotes bring attention to the ways in which various writers use language. Bell urges writers to develop the habit of thinking about form and finding the form that best suits their subject matter and style. His direct and practical advice allows writers to find their own voice and imagination.

First line

TO TEACH CREATIVE WRITING, or to be taught it, is a paradox.

Details

  • Title Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form
  • Author Madison Smartt Bell
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition First Paper Prin
  • Pages 390
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher W. W. Norton & Company, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
  • Publication date 2000-04-01
  • Features Glossary, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780393320213 / 0393320219
  • Weight 1.09 lbs (0.49 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.3 x 6.44 x 0.65 in (23.62 x 16.36 x 1.65 cm)
  • Category Reference
  • Library of Congress subjects Short stories, American, Fiction - Authorship
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 96-53226
  • Dewey Decimal Code 808.393
Back to top↑

More Copies for Sale

Show all copies
Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form
Stock photo: cover may vary

Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form

by Madison Smartt Bell

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Good - Cash
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393320213 / 0393320219
Quantity available
1
Seller
The Book Garden
Item price
A$8.64
A$8.28 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
W. W. Norton & Company, April 2000. Trade Paperback. Good - Cash. General use wear, surface and edges rubbed. Corners bumped and show wear. Pages show reader wear. Old barcode sticker on back cover. Stock photos may not look exactly like the book.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$8.64
A$8.28 Delivery to USA
Narrative Design : Working with Imagination Craft and Form

Narrative Design : Working with Imagination Craft and Form

by Madison Smartt Bell

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393320213 / 0393320219
Quantity available
2
Seller
ThriftBooks
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$9.20
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W., 2000. Paperback. Good. Disclaimer:Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$9.20
Free Delivery to USA
Narrative Design : Working with Imagination Craft and Form

Narrative Design : Working with Imagination Craft and Form

by Madison Smartt Bell

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393320213 / 0393320219
Quantity available
5
Seller
ThriftBooks
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$9.31
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W., 2000. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$9.31
Free Delivery to USA
Narrative Design : Working with Imagination Craft and Form
Stock photo: cover may vary

Narrative Design : Working with Imagination Craft and Form

by Bell, Madison Smartt

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393320213 / 0393320219
Quantity available
6
Seller
Better World Books
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$11.60
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W. 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.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$11.60
Free Delivery to USA
Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form
Stock photo: cover may vary

Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form

by Madison Smartt Bell

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393320213 / 0393320219
Quantity available
1
Seller
Housing Works Bookstore
Item price
A$12.37
A$5.73 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
W. W. Norton & Company. Used - Very Good. Minimal wear to cover. Pages clean and binding tight. shelf wear. bumped edges. Paperback.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$12.37
A$5.73 Delivery to USA
Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form
Stock photo: cover may vary

Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form

by Bell, Madison Smartt

  • Used
  • Very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Very good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393320213 / 0393320219
Quantity available
1
Seller
Chaparral Books
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$12.96
A$10.08 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
W. W. Norton & Company, 2000-04-17. Paperback. Very Good. 6x1x9. Some reading wear, and shelf soil to bottom edge. Pages clean and securely bound.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$12.96
A$10.08 Delivery to USA
Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form
Stock photo: cover may vary

Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form

by Bell, Madison Smartt

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393320213 / 0393320219
Quantity available
1
Seller
Ergodebooks
Item price
A$13.07
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
W W Norton & Company, 2000-04-17. paperback. Used: Good. 6.40x1.00x9.30. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$13.07
Free Delivery to USA
Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form
Stock photo: cover may vary

Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form

by Bell, Madison Smartt

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393320213 / 0393320219
Quantity available
1
Seller
Ausvora INC
Item price
A$14.58
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
W. W. Norton & Company. paperback. Good. 6.5x1x9.3. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$14.58
Free Delivery to USA
Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form [Paperback] Bell, Madison Smartt
Stock photo: cover may vary

Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form [Paperback] Bell, Madison Smartt

by Bell, Madison Smartt

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393320213 / 0393320219
Quantity available
5
Seller
Mediaoutletdeal1
Item price
A$31.60
A$5.74 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
W. W. Norton & Company, 2000-04-01. Paperback. Like New. 0x0x0.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$31.60
A$5.74 Delivery to USA
Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form
Stock photo: cover may vary

Narrative Design: Working with Imagination, Craft, and Form

by Bell, Madison Smartt

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393320213 / 0393320219
Quantity available
6
Seller
Ergodebooks
Item price
A$35.79
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
W W Norton & Company, 2000-04-17. paperback. New. 6.40x1.00x9.30. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$35.79
Free Delivery to USA
Show all copies
Back to top↑

Please wait a moment while we load the requested page.