Degree Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2009
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
English
First Advisor
David Roberts
Abstract
No strict rules exist for a fiction writer. Writers and editors have provided much advice for writers on what to do or not to do, but their advice often varies and can't be summarized in a list of what should a writer do and what should a writer not do in order to be a success. Writing also takes some natural talent; not everything can be learned. This thesis examines the publication process for one short story, "Refresh, Refresh" by Benjamin Percy. Through collaboration between Percy and his agent, and Percy and his editors at The Paris Review, the story was shaped into "good fiction" and was published in a prestigious literary journal. A lot of the story could already be considered "good fiction" before Percy's agent and editors collaborated with him to edit the story, but without their help the story wouldn't have been good enough to be published. This thesis examines what successful authors have said makes good fiction, the process of editing "Refresh, Refresh," and how the writing and editing of Percy's short story fit with what authors say makes "good fiction."
DOI
https://doi.org/10.31274/etd-180810-1894
Copyright Owner
Sarah Hay
Copyright Date
2009
Language
en
Date Available
2012-04-30
File Format
application/pdf
File Size
162 pages
Recommended Citation
Hay, Sarah, "Defining and producing "good" fiction: The roles of the author, editor, and agent in the publication of "Refresh, Refresh"" (2009). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 10919.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/10919
