Conflict, action and suspense, theme and strategy, scene and structure - the secrets of successful authorship are revealed in this easy-to-follow guide. The book shows how to write a page-turner and provides a gameplan for real success. With plenty of examples and step-by-step techniques, it contains everything an aspiring author needs to know to get off to a flying start. The guide shows how to build short stories and novels that don't fizzle out, how to invent interesting and lifelike characters and how to revise your drafts.