Edith Wharton's The Writing of Fiction offers a master class in crafting both short stories and novels. Wharton, renowned for her adept handling of plot and nuanced character development, delineates the principles guiding her literary endeavors. Wharton's slender, practical, and witty guide is essential reading for both writers and literature enthusiasts alike. As perceptive as it is instructive, it enriches writers' understanding and enhances readers' appreciation and enjoyment of literature. Wharton examines the fundamental components of fiction writing, basic elements of storytelling, and essential approaches to character, motivation, and plot. She concludes with a brief, lively analysis of the work of Marcel Proust. This Warbler Classics edition includes an extensive biographical timeline of Edith Wharton's life and work.