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Solutions for Writers: Practical Craft Techniques for Fiction and Non-Fiction
Aimed at writers of all standards, this book presents practical guidance on how to create interesting pieces of writing. Sol Stein''s book includes advice on how to use techniques of fiction to enhance works of non-fiction.'
Paperback
First published May 21, 1998
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About the author
Sol Stein
30 books110 followersSol Stein was a best-selling novelist and the publisher of works by James Baldwin and Che Guevara. He also worked with David Frost, Jack Higgins, Elia Kazan, Dylan Thomas, and W.H. Auden.
Stein and Baldwin met as students at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, where they worked on the literary magazine.
Stein served in the Army during World War II. In 1949 he received a master’s degree in English literature from Columbia University.
In the 1950s Stein worked at Voice of America, wrote plays, and moved into publishing. He established his own publishing company, Stein & Day, in 1962 with his then-wife. Stein used other publishers for his own novels so he would not be competing with the authors that Stein & Day published.
Stein & Day closed after 27 years, and Stein wrote the nonfiction A Feast for Lawyers as a result of the bankruptcy.
Stein went on to write books about writing, and he taught in colleges. He also helped create WritePro, software to teach fiction writing to its users.
Stein and Baldwin met as students at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, where they worked on the literary magazine.
Stein served in the Army during World War II. In 1949 he received a master’s degree in English literature from Columbia University.
In the 1950s Stein worked at Voice of America, wrote plays, and moved into publishing. He established his own publishing company, Stein & Day, in 1962 with his then-wife. Stein used other publishers for his own novels so he would not be competing with the authors that Stein & Day published.
Stein & Day closed after 27 years, and Stein wrote the nonfiction A Feast for Lawyers as a result of the bankruptcy.
Stein went on to write books about writing, and he taught in colleges. He also helped create WritePro, software to teach fiction writing to its users.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 30, 2024
This book is well-structured and is strong on the elements required to build up a good piece of writing. It was published in the nineties and the writer's career is necessarily from a more traditional period of time, which can be ignored and allowed for, however Stein nearly lost me at the outset by drawing unnecessary attention to it in his introduction:
'Women usually outnumber men among my students, readers, and friends, and I trust they will forgive me for using a male pronoun to stand for both genders. Saying "he or she" repeatedly is a distraction to both writer and reader.'
So use 'she' and address your admitted majority? As an expert writer it seems unimaginative that Stein can only see one clunky solution for this identified problem.
What IS a distraction, and an unnecessay insult, is that he says this at all. Far better to have said nothing and let it fly under the radar. And this from an author who is so big on the writer catering to the reader! (Which is the reason it really stuck in my craw) The whiff of condescension seemed to permeate everything after that, which was unfortunate and avoidable.
Colum McCann manages this issue with style and grace by alternating pronouns in his excellent Letters to a young Writer. Take a look!
'Women usually outnumber men among my students, readers, and friends, and I trust they will forgive me for using a male pronoun to stand for both genders. Saying "he or she" repeatedly is a distraction to both writer and reader.'
So use 'she' and address your admitted majority? As an expert writer it seems unimaginative that Stein can only see one clunky solution for this identified problem.
What IS a distraction, and an unnecessay insult, is that he says this at all. Far better to have said nothing and let it fly under the radar. And this from an author who is so big on the writer catering to the reader! (Which is the reason it really stuck in my craw) The whiff of condescension seemed to permeate everything after that, which was unfortunate and avoidable.
Colum McCann manages this issue with style and grace by alternating pronouns in his excellent Letters to a young Writer. Take a look!
June 10, 2012
I've been working with writers for over 20 years, as an editor and a book doctor. Solutions for Writers is my most recommended book in terms of nuts and bolts solutions to the problems newer writers face when they're learning their craft. Nancy Kress comes a close second, but as a starting point, Sol Stein can't be beaten in my opinion.
September 4, 2020
I picked this book off my shelf to browse and ended up reading it cover to cover with great pleasure. Stein had a stellar career as a playwright, novelist, publisher and teacher; this book is a distillation of all he learned. As a 'How To' book, it's very refreshing as he sets out a clear view of what distinguishes material worthy of publication, both in fiction and non-fiction.
I don't agree with everything he espouses, especially some of his ideas around using fiction techniques to jazz up factual pieces. That's how you muddy the waters in debates about truth and accuracy in reporting. It's also evident from the many examples cited from his own writing that he was more competent than inspired as a novelist. His publishing examples read more impressively.
However, Stein (who died in 2019, aged 93), writes warmly and engagingly on his chosen topics. In particular, he offers a cogent approach to writing literary fiction. There are times when a no-nonsense American writing style can trounce the alternatives. Where a British writer might have indulged in exclusive and precious remarks about the mystique of authorial giftedness or in some other class-conscious claptrap, Stein focuses on the technical aspects and leaves it up to the reader whether to have a go. That's one reason he gets a rare five-star rating from me: he really tries to help.
I don't agree with everything he espouses, especially some of his ideas around using fiction techniques to jazz up factual pieces. That's how you muddy the waters in debates about truth and accuracy in reporting. It's also evident from the many examples cited from his own writing that he was more competent than inspired as a novelist. His publishing examples read more impressively.
However, Stein (who died in 2019, aged 93), writes warmly and engagingly on his chosen topics. In particular, he offers a cogent approach to writing literary fiction. There are times when a no-nonsense American writing style can trounce the alternatives. Where a British writer might have indulged in exclusive and precious remarks about the mystique of authorial giftedness or in some other class-conscious claptrap, Stein focuses on the technical aspects and leaves it up to the reader whether to have a go. That's one reason he gets a rare five-star rating from me: he really tries to help.
July 14, 2012
For a long time I've been firmly in the camp of 'How Not to Write a Novel' in the argument that even in a life and death situation, there is no consensus on how to write a good novel, only agreement on what NOT to do.
However, in Solutions for Writers, stein offers a course in fiction (and a little non-fiction) writing and what 'to do' when writing. Chapter by chapter Stein covers pretty much covers all the basics of writing from characters to clichés.
Stein is a little light on the specifics of plotting and scene building, as the focus of this book is general. He also heaps much scathe on commercial (he calls it transient) fiction, but nonetheless teaches the skills needed for both 'popular' and 'literary' fiction even if his preference is overt.
However, in Solutions for Writers, stein offers a course in fiction (and a little non-fiction) writing and what 'to do' when writing. Chapter by chapter Stein covers pretty much covers all the basics of writing from characters to clichés.
Stein is a little light on the specifics of plotting and scene building, as the focus of this book is general. He also heaps much scathe on commercial (he calls it transient) fiction, but nonetheless teaches the skills needed for both 'popular' and 'literary' fiction even if his preference is overt.
October 21, 2018
Solutions for Writers includes a lot of advice for both fiction and non-fiction writers, although the emphasis is on fiction. Some of the advice can be applied to both. The book is divided into chapters covering different aspects of writing, from opening sentences to revision. Each chapter includes relevant samples from real-life authors, which go a long way to explaining Sol Stein's points. The advice in Solutions for Writers is how to improve your writing, rather than how to get started or a specific area. It was written in a style that I found easy to read and (almost) everything made sense to me. Sol Stein's advice and use of examples to illustrate everything make this an informative and useful book for anyone wishing to improve their writing.
September 26, 2015
More a 3 1/2 star rating.
Some excellent tips, but Stein's ego makes this an unpleasant read in places.
He unashamedly uses his own writing as the standard every writer should aim for (and some of his own work makes me cringe, particularly his racial stereotypes). He sneers at writers of "transient fiction" (sometimes calling them out by name) and *constantly* name-drops writers like James Baldwin and Elia Kazan.
I hate name-droppers. And so does my good friend, Brad Pitt.
If you can get past all that, it's a good practical tool for writers.
Some excellent tips, but Stein's ego makes this an unpleasant read in places.
He unashamedly uses his own writing as the standard every writer should aim for (and some of his own work makes me cringe, particularly his racial stereotypes). He sneers at writers of "transient fiction" (sometimes calling them out by name) and *constantly* name-drops writers like James Baldwin and Elia Kazan.
I hate name-droppers. And so does my good friend, Brad Pitt.
If you can get past all that, it's a good practical tool for writers.
October 21, 2018
In my humble opinion, THE 'go to' book for general writing advice, whether fiction or non-fiction. Sol has worked with the best in the business and selflessly passes on his hard-earned recommendations. A great jumping-off point for more detailed advice covered elsewhere but complete in itself. I have the print edition, the kindle edition and the audiobook. Each catch one's attention and inform/enthuse in a different way.
March 5, 2021
Similar in subject matter to Solutions for Novelists by the same author. Only the examples are different. Lots of reasonable good sense scattered around, a fair amount of Stein self-advertising, and a lot of stuff I already understand.
August 15, 2021
One of the best things to happen to me was finding this book quite by accident at the age of sixteen. By far the best practical guide to authorcraft I've ever come across. Each page is worth reading, unlike some better marketed books that have since been published in this niche.
September 5, 2020
I TAKE FROM EACH BOOK WHAT I MOST NEED TO FINISH MY WRITING PROJECTS. THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT gives ME AN "AH-HA" MOMENT.
May 31, 2024
So helpful. One of my all-time-favourite writing tips books.
July 16, 2024
hints and tips
May 27, 2011
Sol Stein has a great way of guiding the student of creative writing...
November 21, 2025
The whole read was interesting, there were no boring parts.
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September 17, 2011The very best book on writing out of the 50 or so I have read so far. Every page has something new.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews