Experienced publisher and editor Richard Cohen knows what aspiring writers need to pay attention to. In his book, he talks about how to create plot, characters, and dialogue; explains who should be chosen for the role of narrator and why rhythm and irony are so important for a novel; teaches you how to edit your own work. The author does not shy away from issues related to plagiarism and descriptions of erotic scenes. You will not just find advice, tips and secrets of mastery in this book, you will learn how outstanding writers from different countries and eras worked. Leo Tolstoy, Marcel Proust, Ian McEwan, Julian Barnes and other great authors will become your teachers.