L. P. Wilbur reveals the mysteries of writing successful fiction by unravelling the intricate map of the novel and drawing from his own impressive repertoire as well as from over 100 classic and contemporary novels, plays and films.

Each element is dealt with individually beginning with the all-important development of 'Plot'. The importance of 'Conflict' to writers such as Shakespeare, Hardy and Poe is explored, while the section on 'Setting' focuses on the development of a sense of place and mood. In 'Dialogue' L. P. Wilbur emphasizes reality in the creation of characters, using extracts from Dickens as an example, whilst in both 'Point of View' and 'Style' he considers the more technical aspects of writing. The last element, 'Character', highlights the fundamental importance of well-rounded, unforgettable characters and looks at twenty-five different ways of creating those characters.