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Writing With Emotion, Tension, and Conflict: Techniques for Crafting an Expressive and Compelling Novel Paperback – November 28, 2013

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 154 ratings

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Today's highly competitive fiction market requires writers to imbue their novels with that special something - an element that captures readers' hearts and minds. In Writing With Emotion, Tension & Conflict, writers will learn vital techniques for writing emotion into their characters, plots and dialogue in order to instill that special something into every page.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"...essential knowledge and practical exercises which combined, create a tool-kit that no aspiring author can afford to be without. Everything you need to write your novel can be found in these pages."
- Kelly L. Stone, author of THINKING WRITE: The Secret to Freeing Your Creative Mind

Wow! Where was this book when I started my writing career? "A must-have compilation of rock-sound advice from a writer who knows what she's talking about. A book you'll want to inhale whole and then return to time and time again to improve your craft and go deeper in order to write YOUR story. Not only does this book embrace some of the most complex elements of story construction in a clear, easy to digest format, it acts as inspiration for the writer. Sentence upon sentence of outstanding advice!"- Mary Buckham, author of the Amazon best-selling WRITING ACTIVE SETTINGS series for writers.

"I've been a fan of Cheryl St.John's fiction for years. She's a master of emotional stories. And with this book she passes on those skills to both new and seasoned writers."
- Holly Jacobs, author of
Steamed: A Maid in LA Mystery

About the Author

USA Today bestselling authorCheryl St.John is the author of over fifty historical and contemporary novels,traditionally and indie published. Her stories of second chances and redemptionhave earned numerous awards and are published in over a dozen languages. Onething all reviewers and readers agree upon regarding Cheryl's books is thedegree of emotion and believability. Words like 'heart-warming, emotionaldepth, touches your soul, tugs your heart, endearing characters and on mykeeper shelf' are commonly used to describe her work. Amazon and Goodreadsreviews show her popularity with readers.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Publishing Group; 11/27/13 edition (November 28, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1599637588
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1599637587
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.58 x 5.51 x 8.43 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 154 ratings

About the author

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Cheryl St.John
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Cheryl has always loved the exciting and diverse worlds available between the covers of books. As a child she wrote stories and drew covers, then stapled them into little books. She cut all the tiny images from the book club advertisements in the Sunday newspaper and glued them to bits of cardboard so Barbie had a full library.

Cheryl is the author of sixty+ books, both historical and contemporary. Her stories have earned numerous awards and are published in over a dozen languages. One thing all reviewers and readers agree on regarding Cheryl’s work is the degree of emotion and believability. In describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real-life situations.” Amazon and Goodreads reviews show her popularity with readers.

The author lives in the Midwest, USA. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she’s scouring garage sales, flea markets and antique malls--her favorite vacation is Junk Stock. Among her collections are teacups and teapots, roosters, vintage spice tins, wooden recipe boxes, Barbies, charm bracelets, Kokeshi dolls, white stoneware, Delftware, souvenir spoons, Goebel birds, Royal Copley planters and of course books. Cheryl admits she’s a bargain hunter with the heart of a hoarder, trying to live as a minimalist. The struggle is real.

Cheryl is currently working on more books for the indie series Aspen Gold with her critique partners of many years. She believes in paying it forward, and her some of her most rewarding experiences have been sharing in the successes of writers she has mentored over the years.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
154 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book helpful for writing fiction with emotion, tension, and conflict. They describe it as an enjoyable read with an encouraging tone. Readers appreciate the practical tips for adding these elements to storytelling. The content is easy to understand and straightforward. The exercises are engaging and inspiring, providing inspiration and knowledge for writers.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

45 customers mention "Writing ability"45 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for writing. They say it's a great guide to the craft of writing, providing useful information and examples in a clear way. Many readers mention it will help them while writing their first novel.

"Does what is sets out to do: gives a writer a comprehensive review of how to write with emotion, create tension and build conflict...." Read more

"...However, this book put into perspective many techniques that I haven't been able to grasp...." Read more

"...and Compelling Novel by Cheryl St.John is to be the craft book on every writer's shelf regardless of where they are in their writing career or what..." Read more

"...It's good. It has helped me solidify some things I've learned in other Writers Digest training materials." Read more

29 customers mention "Readability"29 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable for improving fiction writing. They say it's a must-read for authors, with helpful tips and good notes. The writing style is light and easy to understand, making it an engaging read. Readers praise the book as well-written and an outstanding fiction reference.

"...The tone of the book is light and and made for an enjoyable read, not heavy-handed with the principles at all...." Read more

"...of learning how to analyze plot, create your own, and produce a solid well written book brimming with emotion, tension, and conflict...." Read more

"...Like Donald Maass's awesome writing books. It's good. It has helped me solidify some things I've learned in other Writers Digest training materials." Read more

"...An outstanding fiction reference book that will sit on my bookshelf next to Swain, Donald Maas and Stephen King." Read more

15 customers mention "Writing style"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's writing style. They find the author captures emotions vividly, offers practical tips for adding tension, and encourages readers with an encouraging tone. The exercises are fun and the tone is light, making it an enjoyable read.

"...The tone of the book is light and and made for an enjoyable read, not heavy-handed with the principles at all...." Read more

"...Cheryl St. John not only tells you about writing with emotion, tension and conflict--she shows you...." Read more

"...St.John has a gift of writing with such an easy, direct, conversational tone, you'd swear she was sitting with you as you comb through page by page...." Read more

"...It is chocked full of examples, wisdom and experience. I believe Writing With Emotion, Tension, and Conflict . . ...." Read more

13 customers mention "Conflict level"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides practical tips for adding conflict and emotion to storytelling. They appreciate the tie-ins to story elements in movies. The tone is encouraging and the personal anecdotes are engaging.

"...a writer a comprehensive review of how to write with emotion, create tension and build conflict...." Read more

"...not only tells you about writing with emotion, tension and conflict--she shows you...." Read more

"...It is relatable, down to earth and the exercises are incredible...." Read more

"...all, the exercises are fun, the tone encouraging, and her personal anecdotes engaging. Definitely a book to read and keep by the keyboard." Read more

12 customers mention "Ease of reading"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to understand and a great guide for writing fiction. They appreciate the straightforward, conversational tone and clear explanations of principles. The book is straightforward and down-to-earth, making it an enjoyable read without being overly technical.

"...book is light and and made for an enjoyable read, not heavy-handed with the principles at all...." Read more

"...St.John has a gift of writing with such an easy, direct, conversational tone, you'd swear she was sitting with you as you comb through page by page...." Read more

"...hows and whys of writing emotion, tension and conflict in an easy to understand way, along with many examples of authors' works...." Read more

"...I wish I’d had it at the beginning of my career— for the easiness of reading and understanding the techniques many of us learned over the years...." Read more

10 customers mention "Exercise content"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's exercises engaging and encouraging. They say it provides them with the knowledge and inspiration to keep moving forward. The content is packed with thoughtful insights on how to develop a strong story, and the author provides wonderful examples of what she is teaching.

"...I found the examples useful and illustrated the point in discussion well...." Read more

"...It is chocked full of examples, wisdom and experience. I believe Writing With Emotion, Tension, and Conflict . . ...." Read more

"...Mrs. St. John explains things in such a clear way, and gives wonderful examples of what she is teaching-and there are great exercises at the end of..." Read more

"...new book on writing, Emotion, Tension and Conflict, is an engaging, encouraging, and jam-packed series of lessons on what makes writing a novel work..." Read more

One of the Best
5 out of 5 stars
One of the Best
This book is a keeper. (I.E. I can't lend it to friends because I use it so often.)St. John's writing style makes this book fascinating and easy to understand, no matter how complex the idea. It felt like a (long) conversation with the warmest, most direct critique partner ever to hold a red pen.I'm using my copy to make writing worksheets and checklists from. (There will be many.)What is really helpful about this book is that it has:Suggested movies to watch, with explanations of what to look for and how to learn from themSuggested books to read (ditto above)ExercisesReferences to and suggestions for other writing books (one gem I hadn't heard of before: The Describer's Dictionary by Grambs)*Movies to watch! Best homework ever.*This book is well worth its price. It's an excellent reference and covers emotion, tension, and conflict from the ground up. Even more than characters' traits and important plot components, she talks about things like settings and characters' names.I highly, highly recommend this book for writers at all stages. I'm confident everyone will learn from this excellent manual.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2014
    Does what is sets out to do: gives a writer a comprehensive review of how to write with emotion, create tension and build conflict. The tone of the book is light and and made for an enjoyable read, not heavy-handed with the principles at all.

    Any one who has read several books on writing technique will obviously find repetition, but IMHO one needs some things to be drilled into the writers brain over and over, until one 'get's it', and her style made for a fun read. I found the examples useful and illustrated the point in discussion well.

    My only gripe is that she writes romantic fiction - which I don't usually read - and I found myself wanting to go out any buy her books!
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2014
    As a new author, I've read several how-to books, I've taken several workshops and I've learned a lot from each one. However, this book put into perspective many techniques that I haven't been able to grasp. Cheryl St. John not only tells you about writing with emotion, tension and conflict--she shows you. She doesn't bore you with tedious information that you'll no sooner forget the minute you move on to the next line. She gives you pertinent information you can use right now with your writing. I've read several books on creating tension and conflict and not one has made the light bulb go off over my head like this one. She puts things in simple terms that makes sense. I love this book and after reading it once, I've already gone back to my highlighted pages and referenced them again. No matter what stage in your writing career you're in, BUY THIS BOOK!! You'll enjoy it. Worth every penny.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2014
    Writing With Emotion, Tension, and Conflict: Techniques for Crafting an Expressive and Compelling Novel by Cheryl St.John is to be the craft book on every writer's shelf regardless of where they are in their writing career or what genre they write. St.John has a gift of writing with such an easy, direct, conversational tone, you'd swear she was sitting with you as you comb through page by page. With this book, a journal, and a few well known movies, you will go through the process of learning how to analyze plot, create your own, and produce a solid well written book brimming with emotion, tension, and conflict. She doesn't just teach, she demonstrates, and even better,she has you demonstrate what you've learned. You will come out of this experience a better writer. St.John will be the supportive voice in every writer's head guiding them through their pages with a gentle, experienced hand.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2016
    This book would make a great primer for some of the more advanced writing books. You know, the ones that give you migraines. Like Donald Maass's awesome writing books. It's good. It has helped me solidify some things I've learned in other Writers Digest training materials.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2014
    I love this book! I feel like Ms. St. John was reading it to me. It is chocked full of examples, wisdom and experience. I believe Writing With Emotion, Tension, and Conflict . . . to be one of the books that I will keep on my desk and refer to over and over again.

    It is relatable, down to earth and the exercises are incredible. My recommendation is to purchase the paperback in lieu of the kindle version so that you can write in the margins and easily flip to the pages needed.

    An outstanding fiction reference book that will sit on my bookshelf next to Swain, Donald Maas and Stephen King.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2014
    Cheryl St. John spells out the hows and whys of writing emotion, tension and conflict in an easy to understand way, along with many examples of authors' works. I find learning by example a sure-fire way to retain the information. Cheryl does an amazing job in explaining the nuances of writing powerful emotion. Whether a beginning writer or a multi-published author, you will come away with learning something solid and long lasting. I can't recommend this book more highly. A must read for any stage in a writer's career.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2014
    l think this is one of the best ever books on the craft of writing. I wish I’d had it at the beginning of my career— for the easiness of reading and understanding the techniques many of us learned over the years. Cheryl St. John is generous in teaching all she's learned and this is one book you'll want to keep going back to. Mrs. St. John explains things in such a clear way, and gives wonderful examples of what she is teaching-and there are great exercises at the end of each chapter.
    I highly recommend this book for anyone just starting their writing career of for those who want to get better with each book. I love it!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2016
    The author is passionate about getting information across; however, there are way too many "examples" that go on and on, sometimes taking up entire pages. I found myself just reading the first 1-4 paragraphs of each chapter because that is where the valuable theory resides. Most people who are considering writing a novel have probably read a great number of books and can draw on that knowledge without the spoon feeding of endless examples. This book could be reduced to a useful quick reference guide and would be more valuable to me.
    The author suggests watching a large number of movies and relies on those movies to illustrate the points. I would have rather been asked to reflect on the genres of novels I have actually read and have an established connection with.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Top Hat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on May 14, 2016
    Cheryl's book provides great insights into giving your novel emotional punch, I highly recommend it.
  • Theresa Wallace
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2016
    a really useful book
  • Tom Austin
    3.0 out of 5 stars Small print detracts a bit
    Reviewed in Canada on October 4, 2021
    I just got it. Haven't had time to give it a proper read. Small print makes it too easy to miss something important.