Jack M. Bickham

Jack M. Bickham (1930-1997) was an American author and writing instructor known for his books on fiction writing technique and for his western and thriller novels. He wrote over 75 published books during his career, including both fiction and instructional works on the craft of writing. Bickham taught creative writing at the University of Oklahoma for over 20 years and developed systematic approaches to fiction writing that influenced many authors. His craft books, including "Scene and Structure" and "The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes," remain widely referenced resources in creative writing education. As a novelist, Bickham wrote primarily in the western and thriller genres, with notable works including "The Apple Dumpling Gang" and the Brad Smith spy series. His novel "The Apple Dumpling Gang" was adapted into a successful 1975 Disney film starring Don Knotts and Tim Conway. Beyond his published works, Bickham's influence extended through his development of the "Scene and Sequel" concept in fiction writing, which breaks down narrative structure into action scenes followed by reflection periods. This framework continues to be taught in creative writing programs and referenced by authors developing their craft.

Readers consistently praise Bickham's writing instruction books for their clear, practical approach to fiction techniques. His "Scene and Structure" receives particular attention for breaking down complex storytelling concepts into actionable steps. Multiple reviews on Amazon and Goodreads note his straightforward explanations of scene construction and story momentum. What readers liked: - Concrete examples from published works - Step-by-step breakdowns of writing techniques - Direct, no-nonsense teaching style - Clear explanation of scene-and-sequel concept What readers disliked: - Some find his rules too rigid - Occasional repetition between books - Dated references in older editions - Technical approach can feel mechanical Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Scene and Structure: 4.24/5 (1,200+ ratings) - 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes: 4.1/5 (900+ ratings) Amazon: - Scene and Structure: 4.6/5 - Writing Novels That Sell: 4.5/5 Several reviewers mention keeping his books as permanent reference guides, with one noting: "I return to this book whenever my writing feels stuck."

The Apple Dumpling Gang (1971) - A western novel about three orphaned children who discover a large gold nugget, leading to complications with bumbling outlaws and a gambler who becomes their reluctant guardian.

Scene and Structure (1993) - A technical guide explaining the mechanics of scene construction and narrative structure in fiction writing.

The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (1992) - A practical handbook identifying and providing solutions for frequent errors made by developing writers.

Writing Novels That Sell (1989) - A comprehensive guide to novel writing focusing on commercial fiction techniques and market considerations.

Setting (1994) - An instructional book examining how to effectively use physical locations and time periods in fiction.

Brad Smith: Easy Money (1981) - A thriller following intelligence operative Brad Smith investigating a complex financial conspiracy.

Writing and Selling Your Novel (1996) - A detailed examination of novel-writing techniques and the publishing industry.

The Brad Smith Spy Series: Operation Hunger (1982) - A spy thriller featuring Brad Smith uncovering a plot involving international food supplies.

Elements of Fiction Writing: Scene & Structure (1999) - An expanded version of his earlier work on scene construction and narrative development.

Lawrence Block is a prolific crime fiction author who wrote instructional books on writing while maintaining a successful career as a novelist. His mix of teaching craft and producing commercial fiction mirrors Bickham's dual career path.

Dwight Swain was Bickham's mentor at the University of Oklahoma and developed many of the scene-structure concepts Bickham later expanded upon. His book "Techniques of the Selling Writer" presents similar systematic approaches to fiction writing.

Donald Maass combines work as a literary agent with writing instructional books on craft, focusing on commercial fiction techniques. His books present structured approaches to writing that build on concepts similar to Bickham's scene-and-sequel framework.

Robert B. Parker wrote westerns and thrillers with clear, action-driven plots following structural principles similar to Bickham's teachings. His Spenser series demonstrates the scene-and-sequel pattern in detective fiction.

James Scott Bell writes both fiction and books on writing technique that expand on Bickham's structural approaches to storytelling. His work on plot and structure directly references and builds upon Bickham's scene-and-sequel concept.