Review by WillB -- Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction ...
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WillB
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Review by WillB -- Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction ...
[Following is a volunteer review of "Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer's Guide" by William H. Coles.]
Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H. Cole.
Cole is an academic and award winning author with an analytical mind who has distilled the knowledge and know-how of more than thirty well known writers, including a Pulitzer Prize winner, whom he has interviewed and condensed that wisdom into a practical working tool for aspiring and more experienced writers to help them improve the quality of their work.
As to be expected of an intellectual the book is written in the distinctive manner of an academic. This is a positive factor given Cole’s intention to provide an informative guide to writers to create stories which are engaging and meaningful.
Cole elevates ‘literary Fiction’ above ‘genre fiction’ and makes clear that his intention is to encourage and guide fiction writers in the important matter of thinking seriously about their work.
It may have been helpful to some aspiring writers considering owning his book had Cole spent more time explaining the distinctions between ‘literary fiction’ and ‘genre fiction.’ But this may be a case of being over-critical as it could be that those distinctions are already known to those who aspire for success in that category of writing.
Briefly, by way of examples to contrast the distinctions in ‘genre fiction’ and ‘literary stories’ the Mike Hammer private detective books by Mickey Spillaine are in the ‘crime genre.’ ‘Crime and Punishment’ by Fyodor Dostoevsky is in the category of ‘literary story.’
Both books contain crime and detective elements but there the ‘similarity’ ends.
No disrespect to the late Mr Spillaine or his many readers but his books are ‘escapist.’ Readers of those books want fast moving action packed blood and guts plot driven stories with which they engage for the length of time taken to read – and then quickly forget.
‘Crime and Punishment’ is literary fiction of importance about the human condition and serious issues causing readers to engage and to think seriously to get inside the minds of the major characters and motivations for their actions. Literature of this type and quality, which William H. Cole focuses on, is both meaningful and memorable with characters which live in the minds of readers long after the novel has been placed back on the shelf.
It is to writers who aspire to achieve such high standards of literary fiction that ‘A Fiction Writer’s Guide’ is aimed and whom will most appreciate the insights contained within its pages.
Creative writing is art and craft combined. Cole’s ‘Fiction Writer’s Guide’ contains both aspects but does not make false promises that it will make someone who is unwilling to work at her craft and who is devoid of talent to win the ‘Book of the Year.’
But the willingness to study, learn and to apply knowledge gained can raise the quality of work of those who are diligent and serious about creating serious meaningful stories that will make an impression on the minds of their readers.
Cole specifies and discusses the essential elements necessary in quality storytelling and deals with each aspect giving examples of good and bad writing and why they are so and how to make improvements.
As one would expect from an academic, ‘Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide’ by William H. Cole, is professionally written and contains one minor typo and one borderline ‘profanity,’ contained in a story which is being critiqued, of so little significance that it is hardly worth mentioning.
I will have to give 4 out of 4 and recommend ‘Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide’ by William H. Cole’ to aspiring writers whether their interest is in ‘genre fiction’ – they will learn much about creating and developing the characters in their stories – or aspiring and more experienced ‘literary fiction storytellers’ seeking direction to raise the quality of their work.
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Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer's Guide
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H. Cole.
Cole is an academic and award winning author with an analytical mind who has distilled the knowledge and know-how of more than thirty well known writers, including a Pulitzer Prize winner, whom he has interviewed and condensed that wisdom into a practical working tool for aspiring and more experienced writers to help them improve the quality of their work.
As to be expected of an intellectual the book is written in the distinctive manner of an academic. This is a positive factor given Cole’s intention to provide an informative guide to writers to create stories which are engaging and meaningful.
Cole elevates ‘literary Fiction’ above ‘genre fiction’ and makes clear that his intention is to encourage and guide fiction writers in the important matter of thinking seriously about their work.
It may have been helpful to some aspiring writers considering owning his book had Cole spent more time explaining the distinctions between ‘literary fiction’ and ‘genre fiction.’ But this may be a case of being over-critical as it could be that those distinctions are already known to those who aspire for success in that category of writing.
Briefly, by way of examples to contrast the distinctions in ‘genre fiction’ and ‘literary stories’ the Mike Hammer private detective books by Mickey Spillaine are in the ‘crime genre.’ ‘Crime and Punishment’ by Fyodor Dostoevsky is in the category of ‘literary story.’
Both books contain crime and detective elements but there the ‘similarity’ ends.
No disrespect to the late Mr Spillaine or his many readers but his books are ‘escapist.’ Readers of those books want fast moving action packed blood and guts plot driven stories with which they engage for the length of time taken to read – and then quickly forget.
‘Crime and Punishment’ is literary fiction of importance about the human condition and serious issues causing readers to engage and to think seriously to get inside the minds of the major characters and motivations for their actions. Literature of this type and quality, which William H. Cole focuses on, is both meaningful and memorable with characters which live in the minds of readers long after the novel has been placed back on the shelf.
It is to writers who aspire to achieve such high standards of literary fiction that ‘A Fiction Writer’s Guide’ is aimed and whom will most appreciate the insights contained within its pages.
Creative writing is art and craft combined. Cole’s ‘Fiction Writer’s Guide’ contains both aspects but does not make false promises that it will make someone who is unwilling to work at her craft and who is devoid of talent to win the ‘Book of the Year.’
But the willingness to study, learn and to apply knowledge gained can raise the quality of work of those who are diligent and serious about creating serious meaningful stories that will make an impression on the minds of their readers.
Cole specifies and discusses the essential elements necessary in quality storytelling and deals with each aspect giving examples of good and bad writing and why they are so and how to make improvements.
As one would expect from an academic, ‘Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide’ by William H. Cole, is professionally written and contains one minor typo and one borderline ‘profanity,’ contained in a story which is being critiqued, of so little significance that it is hardly worth mentioning.
I will have to give 4 out of 4 and recommend ‘Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide’ by William H. Cole’ to aspiring writers whether their interest is in ‘genre fiction’ – they will learn much about creating and developing the characters in their stories – or aspiring and more experienced ‘literary fiction storytellers’ seeking direction to raise the quality of their work.
******
Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer's Guide
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Latest Review: That Guy What Kill Topsy by Peter Wood Cotterill
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bookreviewmi1111
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- Latest Review: Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer's Guide by William H. Coles
I read this book and enjoyed it. It would be so helpful for those who are learning about fictional writing. Thanks for the review!
