How to Write Like Chekhov

Advice and Inspiration, Straight from His Own Letters and Work

By: Anton Chekhov, Piero Brunello, Lena Lencek (Editor)

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Paperback | 11 November 2008

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254 Pages

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20.96 x 13.97 x 1.91

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Russian writer Maxim Gorky said of Anton Chekhov that no one has ever understood "the tragedy of life's trivialities" as clearly as Chekhov. Chekhov's singular ability to mesh comedy and pathos, to capture life's basic sadness — and yet to do this while entertaining audiences — this is why so many wish to write like him. Now How to Write Like Chekhov, by drawing extensively from Chekhov's own letters to his publisher, his brother, and his friends, pulls back the curtain on Chekhov's technique and ideas to show just how one can go about doing this.
"Conciseness is the sister of talent," Chekhov famously said. This and hundreds of other punctual, precise, illuminating observations and suggestions are organized into thematic chapters that cover such subjects as plots and characters (and their names), descriptions and dialogues, what to focus on, and what to avoid. Chekhov's advice hews to his central preoccupation: the search for truth in art.

Industry Reviews

Publishers Weekly, starred online review, 11/3/08 "Makes a thorough guide...An insightful, practical outline of Chekhov's literary approach. Following Lencek's intelligent introduction, advice is helpfully broken down by topic...Both Chekhov's correspondence and his excerpts prove interesting and illustrative...Including a 'who's who' of Chekhov's pen pals and suggestion for further reading, this is a useful and smart guide for writers of all kinds." Augusta Metro Spirit, 11/19/08 "A masterpiece of writing advice...a perfect companion for writers at any stage of the craft." The Writer, 2/09 "What's new and particularly noteworthy in this volume is a focus on lessons to be learned from a close reading of The Island of Sakhalin."

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Preface
Introduction
Introduction
Theory No Plot, No Ending	p. 1
General Questions
Why Write?	p. 3
For Whom Should One Write?	p. 6
What to Write, How to Write	p. 10
When and How Much to Write	p. 17
Specific Questions
Truth	p. 21
Descriptions	p. 27
Characters	p. 33
Emotions	p. 40
What to Avoid	p. 43
The Company of Writers	p. 47
Demonstration Good Shoes and a Notebook	p. 55
The Project	p. 57
The Report
Prerequisites	p. 65
Travel	p. 69
Observe	p. 89
Collect Facts	p. 99
The Actual Writing
vercoming Initial Difficulties	p. 115
Give the Book a Shape	p. 116
Being Objective	p. 119
Being Truthful	p. 130
Writing Advice	p. 133
Last Things	p. 152
Who's Who in Chekhov's Correspondence	p. 157
Afterword	p. 169
For Further Reading	p. 183
Note	p. 187
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

How to Write Like Chekhov

Advice and Inspiration, Straight from His Own Letters and Work

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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