Vintage Writing Instruction

"Pessimism in Fiction" by A. C. Allenson. Originally published in the May 1922 issue of "Writer's Monthly". Now in the public domain.

"God's Gift of Words" by Major Arthur J. Burks. Not as much instructional this time, but more historical. Major Burks makes a plea for writers to use their skills to help connect military personnel overseas connect with people back home, and vice versa. It is a solid reminder of what well written fiction can do.

The Trick of Being Funny.

Let's Understand Short Shorts, by William Martin.

A reminder that not all artists must be tortured and miserable in order to produce good work. By Captain John C. Kofoed.

"Sport Story" by Talbert Josselyn. Originally Appeared in September 1940 issue of "Writer's Digest" now believed to be in the Public Domain.

Mystery Stories for Children, By Ruby Lorraine Radford. Originally appeared in the September 1940 issue of "Writer's Digest."

This is Chapter Seven of "Fundamentals of Fiction Writing" by Arthur Sullivant Hoffman, who was the editor of "Adventure," one of the highest circulating magazines in the heyday of the pulps. Originally published in 1922, now in the public domain. This chapter deals with "overstrain", which is what happens when you make your readers work too hard to understand your story.

This is chapter 6 of "Fundamentals of Fiction Writing" by Arthur Sullivant Hoffman, who was the editor of "Adventure," one of the highest circulating magazines in the heyday of the pulps. Originally published in 1922, now in the public domain.

This is chapter 5 of "Fundamentals of Fiction Writing" by Arthur Sullivant Hoffman, who was the editor of "Adventure," one of the highest circulating magazine in the heyday of the pulps. Originally published in 1922, now in the public domain.