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Title: One of the Weakest Writers Digest Books
Review: As far as I can tell there is no textual difference between the "1999" paperback edition shown here and the earlier 1988 hardcover version.It's a rambling pastiche of ideas and commentary on various aspects of writing, with only loose homage paid to the actual topic of "plot." There is much better guidance available on most of the wide array of topics the author touches on so briefly (and inadequately) in this book. One's time would surely be better spent with such helpful titles as:Plot & Structure: Techniques And Exercises For Crafting A Plot That Grips Readers From Start To Finishby James Scott Bell.Beginnings, Middles & Endsby Nancy Kress.Characters & Viewpointby Orson Scott Card.I'm not saying there is nothing at all valuable in the Dibell book; that's why I assign it two stars rather than one. But it's too much effort for too little result to extract the value.
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