What is the best "How To" book for writing fiction (a novel)?

Question

I'm looking for a good source book on how to write good fiction. I am not looking for an author's personal memoirs as I have found that many books are based on their personal experiences and I'm looking for more a "How To". Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Lots of people seem to like Stephen King's "On Writing." Me, not so much. I've never found reading about writing nearly as instructional as doing it, getting critique from people who know what they're talking about, and rewriting.

Answer 2

Short Story Ideas; where flashes of inspiration are only a click away

http://shortstoryideas.herb.me.uk/

http://www.midlandit.co.uk/education/ind...

http://www.ehow.com/how_18026_generate-s...

http://www.howtobooks.co.uk/leisure/writ...

How to Write a Fan Fiction

http://dmoz.org/Arts/Writers_Resources/F...

http://www.tmffa.com/old/ref-how_to_writ...

http://loralciriclight.com/001232.html

http://littlecalamity.tripod.com/HowTo2....

How To Write Better Fan Fiction: 184 quick and easy hints to improve writing

http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/writefa...

Answer 3

Try these:

Stein on Writing by Sol Stein

Telling Lies for Fun and Profit by Lawrence Block