A treasure-trove of scene-writing wisdom from award-winning author and teacher Sandra Scofield To write a good scene; you have to know the following: bull; Every scene has an EVENT bull; Every scene has a FUNCTION in the narrative bull; Every scene has a STRUCTURE: a beginning; middle; and end bull; Every scene has a PULSE The Scene Book is a fundamental guide to crafting more effective scenes in fiction. In clear; simple language; Sandra Scofield shows both the beginner and the seasoned writer how to build better scenes; the underpinning of any good narrative.
#474541 in eBooks 2007-03-27 2007-03-27File Name: B000SEI13Q
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A BEAUTIFUL SELECTION OF RODINS SAYINGSBy William J. Havlicek; PhDThis book offers a rare selection of quotable statements by Rodin regarding the purposes of art and of the artistic life. Among other things; what makes this collection notable is a lengthy dinner interview with the artist which reads like a contemporary QA style news report. Humble and unbuttoned; we are given an informal lesson by the master on the several ways in which the artist serves humanity. Eloquent and wise; Rodin was a remarkable thinker with an ability to see well beyond his age. Like his art his thoughts are timeless and for that reason are always relevant. My only criticism of the book lies in the marginal quality of the black and white images. These could have been printed on better quality paper--as it is the halftones sink into the paper and lose clarity and intensity. However; I did not buy this book for the reproductions but for the artists sage comments. If one is seeking wisdom; this book is a great value. William J. Havlicek PhD0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. There is no recipe for improving natureBy Andrew EverettPaul Gsell asked Auguste Rodin questions about his creative process and about art in general. This book is; for the most part; a transcript of those conversations.Rodinrsquo;s favorite subject was the human figure. ldquo;Beauty is character and expression. Well; there is nothing in nature which has more character than the human bodyhellip; The human body is; above all; the mirror of the soul; and from the soul comes its greatest beauty.rdquo;Rodin did not dream up poses. Instead he tried to capture a natural state of the figure. ldquo;In his atelier several nude models walk about or rest. Rodin pays them to furnish him constantly with the sight of the nude moving with all the freedom of lifehellip; He follows his models with his earnest gazehellip; and when this one or that makes a movement that pleases him; he instantly asks that the pose be kept. Quick; he seizes the clay; and a little figure is under way; then with equal haste he passes to another.rdquo;Gsell asked if Rodinrsquo;s models therefore directed his art. ldquo;Irsquo;m not at their orders; but those of Naturehellip; I will reproduce only what reality spontaneously offers mehellip; But; after all; the only principle in Art is to copy what you seehellip; There is no recipe for improving nature. The only thing is to see.rdquo;ldquo;It would be impossible for any model to keep an animated pose during all the time that it would take to make a cast from it. But I keep in my mind the ensemble of the pose and I insist that the model shall conform to my memory of it.rdquo;The most interesting chapter is about movement. ldquo;Now; the illusion of life is obtained in our art by good modeling and by movement. These two qualities are like the blood and breath of all good workhellip; Note; first; that movement is the transition from one attitude to another.rdquo; In order to create the impression of motion; Rodinrsquo;s sculpture is a representation of two phases of a movement. Gsell asked Rodin; if by doing so; was he copying nature sincerely. Rodin replied; ldquo;It is the artist who is truthful and it is photography which lies; for in reality time does not stophellip; Have you ever attentively examined instantaneous photographs of walking figures? hellip; That they never seem to advancehellip; Now it is exactly for that reason that this model photographed would present the odd appearance of a man suddenly stricken with paralysis and petrified in his pose.rdquo;Rodin is one of my favorite artists. This book offers some interesting insights into his thinking.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Worth reading and rereading...By CustomerSo much is revealed in this slim volume about Rodin that can add to ones admiration of his works; it should be a must for an art student or admirer. There is a persistent and unapologetic patrician quality that some may find annoying; but it is amazing that such a small book can be filled with so many profound; pithy observations. Expect the unexpected; but do give this book a chance!