20 reviews for Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide

1. Yasmira_M – June 29, 2020

   Review from OnlineBookClub.org
   This book was a real eye-opener for me as I discovered how little I actually knew about writing fiction. It is a book filled with so much useful information written in an entertaining manner that held my attention even more than a fictional novel. The author used examples throughout the book to explain the various concepts. For example, he used the story of The Little Red Riding Hood to explain the role of character-based stories. This method of teaching was constant throughout the book which made it so much easier to comprehend all the lessons in the book while making it more entertaining. The book is generally easy to read with such flow and cohesion that made it both educative and entertaining. Read the entire review here…

2. mariatraianou – June 29, 2020

   Review from OnlineBookClub.org
   Coles is analytic and precise in explaining the process of writing. He produces several examples of re-writes (and editing) that work best and provides definitions regarding specialized words that need clarification. He writes the book in a rather technical and slightly academic language that might need a bit more concentration to understand.
   I found the book to be highly inventive and direct. The author offers a guide through the challenges of writing literary fiction. It teaches writing with useful examples of the ideas the author provides. Read the entire review here…

3. m1n – April 28, 2020

   Review from OnlineBookClub.org
   In Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide, the author, William H. Coles does exactly what it says on the cover. He leads his reader through how Literary Fiction differs from other types of fiction and explains what marks it out. These are not fluffy explanations! This is proper English Literature education for the purpose of making you a better literary fiction writer.
   Read the entire review here…

4. f_starkperalta – April 28, 2020

   Review from OnlineBookClub.org
   The book is very well written, and the language is pretty clear for readers of all age. The way the author explains every single detail that makes a book a great book is very fascinating for me. Personally, I found it so helpful reading this book as I love writing fictional stories as well and this guide is the perfect thing to read if you want to understand the art of literature better.I rate this book 4/4 for sure and I highly recommend it for enthusiast young authors and readers, and for people who would like to develop their writing skills.
   Read the entire review here…

5. Vleewrites57 – October 7, 2019

   Review from OnlineBookClub.org
   Coles, who has penned other non-fiction books teaching about literary fiction as well as fictional books and short stories, takes great care in differentiating literary fiction from genre fiction. He walks the reader through each chapter of Books One and Two, delving into, but not limiting information to character development, point-of-view, voice, humor, time and narration. As he does so, Coles stresses the importance of the writer’s imagination and creative skill as the foundation for creating timeless literary fiction.
   Read the entire review here…

6. nobleronin – October 7, 2019

   Review from OnlineBookClub.org
   The following is a review of the book entitled Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by by William H. Coles. I read the book in a relatively short amount of time because I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I highly recommend it. I rate this book a 4 out of 4 . I do not believe that a rating this high is to be lightly given. However, the reason I give it such a high rating is that the book accomplishes what it claims to do in a succinct fashion. Mr. Coles gives much valuable insight that will improve the writing of people who are interested in composing literary story fiction in under 130 pages which in my view makes it an excellent investment worth the highest rating. I have read stories my entire life, but I usually avoid books such as this one because I usually feel like I am being forced into a straight-jacket that if I don’t follow a certain way as exactly defined by an author the story will automatically fail. Mr. Coles does an outstanding job of of not losing the overall goal of a story, but providing much helpful information in how to actually go about writing a literary fiction story. Almost all people who are interested in the construction of a literary fiction story will find this book interesting and useful.
   Read the entire review here…

7. Mlh1981 – October 7, 2019

   Review from OnlineBookClub.org
   As a writer, I am always searching for ways to improve my craft so it connects with the reader and leaves a lasting impression. The search for this knowledge can seem daunting because there are so many opinions and thoughts on the best way to connect with a reader of fiction. After reading Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide, I feel a refreshed eagerness to jump right into writing with the information I gleaned from this amazing book. The author William H. Coles was able to reignite a fire in me for fiction, after so many other writing books had failed, that has left me eager to put everything I absorbed into practice with my next novel. I found this book extremely thought-provoking, and it wholly deserves a rating of 4 out of 4 stars.
   Read the entire review here…

8. Y0landa – September 12, 2019

   Review from OnlineBookClub.org
   This book lists the key constituents that set literary fiction apart from other genres. Chapter by chapter, the author breaks down these important components and goes into depth describing each one in detail. I like how the author found ways of giving examples so that the book content would be easily understood. First of all, the new terms introduced in each chapter were listed and defined to clear any doubts before further reading the chapter. Second, I loved how the author takes one particular paragraph or dialogue from a literary piece and changes the structure over and over again to use as an example so that the reader can perceive with more clarity the different styles and characteristics used in literary fiction whilst at same time showing the reader what works and what doesn’t . Third, the use of similes and comparisons simplified the understanding because the reader is able to look at things from a different perspective. Fourth of all, I like how the author included a revision chapter (at the end) in the form of questions to aid the literary fiction writer in assuring they have covered all contents in their finished piece.
   Read the entire review here…

9. nobleronin – September 12, 2019

   Review from OnlineBookClub.org
   The following is a review of the book entitled Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by by William H. Coles. I read the book in a relatively short amount of time because I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I highly recommend it. I rate this book a 4 out of 4 . I do not believe that a rating this high is to be lightly given. However, the reason I give it such a high rating is that the book accomplishes what it claims to do in a succinct fashion. Mr. Coles gives much valuable insight that will improve the writing of people who are interested in composing literary story fiction in under 130 pages which in my view makes it an excellent investment worth the highest rating. I have read stories my entire life, but I usually avoid books such as this one because I usually feel like I am being forced into a straight-jacket that if I don’t follow a certain way as exactly defined by an author the story will automatically fail. Mr. Coles does an outstanding job of of not losing the overall goal of a story, but providing much helpful information in how to actually go about writing a literary fiction story. Almost all people who are interested in the construction of a literary fiction story will find this book interesting and useful.
   Read the entire review here…

10. nancynayana – September 12, 2019

    Review from OnlineBookClub.org
    I highly recommend this book as a guide for both new and established fiction writers. A handy and very detailed reference if you are writing literary fiction for the first time. The beginners of fiction writing are provided with the reasons why the literary fictional stories fail and when a fictional story is received as credible. The author urges the fiction writer to introspect and figure out ones motivation for writing literary fiction. A truly great work of fiction is born when ideas are successfully expressed to make an enlightened change in its readers.
    Read the entire review here…

11. Gisela Dixon – June 19, 2019

    Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide is a non-fiction book on the do’s and don’ts of writing creative fiction stories. William H. Coles is himself an author of fiction stories and in this book, he talks from his own experience about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to fiction or creative writing. In this book, he discusses in detail the craft and techniques of creating stories. The topics covered in this book include character development in fiction, narration, dialogue, depicting conflict, humor, emotion, writing scenes, the importance of first-person point of view, second-person narration, the pitfalls to watch out for and some reasons why literary stories fail, how to create a literary fiction story, how to make it come to life, essentials, revision, and more. There are also examples provided within the appropriate context that really highlight these techniques and how to use them.

    Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H. Coles is a book that I am sure any aspiring fiction writer will find handy. It is a fairly short read but provides plenty of tips and techniques for the novice or amateur writer to improve upon and hone their skills. It can also be helpful for anyone who has never written a book before but would like to be an author of literary stories. William writes in a clear, lucid style and although the book should ideally be read in sequence, I feel readers can jump around to certain topics and chapters if they want. This is a handy guide for aspiring writers.

12. Samantha Gregory – June 19, 2019

    Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H. Coles is a how-to guide for writing fiction. It goes through the various elements needed to get started as well as some tips and advice on things like plot and dialogue. If you are a first-time writer who is struggling or trying to work out your story before writing it, this would be a good book to read first. If you are unfamiliar with things like a plot-driven story, a character-driven story, or how to write effective dialogue, then this would help a writer understand what they need to do. The second half of the book looks at how to create characters and examines some of the terms in more detail. I found the creating conflict section quite useful.

    William H. Coles has created an informative book in Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide. It reads like a glossary of terms at times, which would make it ideal for writers who are absolute beginners and are only starting their journey as a writer. I feel it is quite basic, but it did explain key aspects of writing and what is needed from the writer to create a good story. I think it would do quite well on the market, although it would be a limited audience of first-time writers, but it is a good stepping stone for writers who could then go on to research some of the terms in detail later on.

13. K.J. Simmill – June 19, 2019

    With more people than ever being able to embrace their inner author, learning resources, information, and guidelines are something in high demand for those wishing to hone their craft. There is a lot to understand, from the definitions of keywords to the all-important narrative and plot design. Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H. Coles aims to introduce topics from conception to execution.

    As an author myself, I always feel the need to be constantly improving, whether that is taking the latest course, or reading a plethora of books on the topic. When I saw William H. Coles’ Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide, I was eager to give it a read. I was surprised to find a holistic approach to writing within such a short book. This book will provide a strong foundation for anyone seeking to emerge onto the writing scene, and also acts as a good reminder to seasoned authors of the basics and important aspects of character, narrative, and writing style. It focuses more on definition, explanation, and foundations of what can and should be used and what to avoid. For instance, the dialogue section covers how and why dialogue is used. It gives points to be considered, as well as providing examples and tips which prove useful for consideration and skill building. The end of chapter summary is a useful tool to condense the material in the chapter into its main points.

    All in all, I enjoyed reading Creating Literary Stories. It is suitable more for those needing an understanding of terminology and how things are used. It is a good resource for people new to the field of writing as it cuts through the jargon and offers helpful tips. A person with writing experience under their belt already will find this lays out things they should already have a grasp on; however, refreshing your knowledge never hurts and often leads to the discovery of little gems forgotten or overlooked. This book contains information writers should be aware of, and the easy to digest segments make it easy to pick up, put down, and absorb what is being discussed.

14. Asher Syed – June 19, 2019

    Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H Coles is a non-fiction writing manual for those who are interested in improving their craft as authors. Whether it is flash fiction, short stories, or any length of novel, Coles outlines the foundational groundwork and then builds up through the process of a tale’s construction in order to assist a writer with the fundamentals of successful story writing, as well as explaining why each component is necessary. Spread over two sections (or books, both within the single volume) and seventeen individual chapters ranging from point of view, scene writing, and time to bringing a story to life and continuous revisions, Coles offers up a wealth of knowledge with insightful and direct instruction.

    Creating Literary Stories is wonderful in its succinct composition and, as a prolific author himself, William H Coles delivers from a platform of extensive experience and education on the subject matter. I read more books per year than most might in five, wishing that some might have had even a fraction of the knowledge Coles provides in this guide. My favorite chapter was on dialogue, where the principles of advancing the story while making your characters sound authentic are at the forefront. The technicalities are just as important as the story itself. I’d recommend this book to anyone who has the desire to strengthen their skill set and home in on writing entertaining, memorable literary fiction that stands out in a sea of stories, whether you are new to the craft or have spent a lifetime filling the pages.

15. Edith Wairimu – June 19, 2019

    Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H Coles is an informative guide for both beginners and seasoned writers who want to learn more about how to write engaging fiction. It is divided into two sections. The first section examines aspects of fiction writing such as character development, creation of dialogue, selecting the appropriate point of view for your story and other features. In the second section, the book delves into the foundational aspects of writing a literary fiction story that can stand the test of time. Definitions of applicable terms are also included at the beginning as well as examples that explain the points.

    The writing in Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H Coles is accessible to a wide range of readers, regardless of their experience. The illustrations it contains help clarify the points raised in the book. Sections are clearly labeled and explained. The work is short but explores many aspects of fiction writing. Most importantly, the ideas suggested can be easily applied by any writer in their work. As I am working on my first novel, I found many insightful guidelines on creating an appealing and captivating story that I can implement in my work. The works of renowned authors are also studied to analyze the features that make their writing stand out. Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H Coles is an enlightening guide for any reader who wants to develop their fiction writing skills.

16. Anne-Marie Reynolds – June 19, 2019

    From award-winning author, William H Coles comes Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide. Ever dreamed of being a fiction writer? Tried your hand at it but just can’t figure out where you are going wrong? Then this guide may be just what you are looking for. This is a no-nonsense, to the point guide that leads you by the hand through the ins and outs of writing a great literary novel. Learn the structure, how to build up your characters, narration, and dialog. Learn how to get your point of view right, how to add drama and action to your story and a bit of humor where necessary. Most of all, learn how to revise, revise and revise again until you get it right.

    Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H Coles is a great guide for anyone thinking of starting out as a fiction writer or who has started but has become stuck. It really is a no-nonsense guide, written in a way that is incredibly easy to read. Where some books about fiction writing seem to ramble, this one doesn’t. It gets right to the heart of the matter, each chapter about a different part of writing, and there are plenty of examples on what you should and shouldn’t do. It is a short guide but you will learn more from this than wading through a book four times its size on the same subject. It doesn’t promise to make you a great fiction writer right off the bat – that’s down to you – but it does give you the grounding you need to take you forward. If you are intending to write fiction, read this guide and then keep it beside you at all times. You will refer back to it more than once.

17. Ray Simmons – June 19, 2019

    I decided to read Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide by William H. Coles because I am a writer and I’m always trying to work on and improve my craft. I have four books published, but I always want to improve, I always want to write more, and better. I have taken courses and read books but, to be honest, not recently. I hoped I would get some new ideas and a new perspective from reading William H. Coles’s book. I looked him up and he has a lot of books on writing, as well as a website dedicated to helping writers improve their skills. I had high expectations as I began reading Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide and I am pleased to say, those expectations were met and even exceeded. I don’t know what the practical result will be as I just finished the book. All I can tell you is that I learned a lot and I’m eager to start putting it into practice.
    Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide is a very well-organized book. It’s short so I suggest you read the whole book and not skip around reading only what you think you might need. I think most writers need it all. Especially beginners who might be trying to find their voice. Start at the beginning. The Literary Fictional Story is a great chapter. It defines fiction and literature and the various components that make these concepts powerful and meaningful. I found every chapter relevant to my journey as a writer. Several chapters, like the ones on revision, character in a literary fictional story, and the fundamentals of telling a literary story really spoke to areas of my writing that I especially feel need improvement. William H. Coles’s writing style is easy to understand. You feel as if the teacher is in the room with you.

18. Lesley Jones – June 19, 2019

    Creating Literary Stories by William H Coles is a detailed and comprehensive guide and a must for any writer. Unlike many other books on the subject, this guide tackles often overlooked areas such as the development of strong characters and plot in far more detail. You will learn to understand the importance of dialogue that propels the story forward and build characters that readers can relate to on an emotional level. Discover the myths to writing fiction and guidelines to sharpen your skills in structuring characters, plots, narration, and writing memorable and current humor stories plus much more. Learn the various types of conflicts that are essential to any novel, including when and how to include them. Uncover the traps that many writers fall into and techniques that will give your stories that professional edge. Finally, discover your unique writing style that will engage your reader and wow them with your storytelling ability.

    As a writer myself, I have read many guides on the art of fiction writing, but I have to say I have never come across a guide as comprehensive as this one. The author has covered every subject on the art of writing plus many areas that I have never seen in other books. I especially thought the section on how effective changing one word in your narrative could be to completely transform the emotions behind the dialogue. The guidelines in section two are invaluable for the planning stage of your novel, the second draft, or when you are simply lost on ways to improve the overall polish of your story. The revision chapter at the end is undoubtedly the most helpful for me, covering the main principles you need to be aware of. I would also recommend any aspiring novelist check out the author’s website for even more helpful articles which will build your creativeness and skills.

19. Marta Tandori – June 19, 2019

    Many would-be fiction writers have sat before their computers, staring perplexed at the sea of words before them, utterly stumped at why the words that form the sentences, and the sentences that form the paragraphs, simply don’t work. Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide, by William H. Coles, would undoubtedly have shed some light on their respective dilemmas. Coles goes about demystifying and dissecting the fundamental elements of literary fiction writing in Book One with sections on character, narration, dialogue, conflict, humor, writing in scene, the first person point of view (POV), time, second-person narration and, perhaps the most important element of all, why literary stories fail. While the first section of Creating Literary Stories is about the fundamental elements in literary fiction, Book Two is more about the creation of the actual story. Coles covers the fundamentals of telling a story, the essentials of literary story writing and how a story comes to life and, finally, some thoughts on the all-important revisions.

    Coles’ voice is candid and his approach totally relatable, thanks to plenty of writing samples from different perspectives in order to illustrate his points. References to timeless favorites, like Little Red Riding Hood to emphasize the importance of character, as well as to famous Shakespearean soliloquies and classics like Wuthering Heights, show not only an appreciation for a wide range of writing styles but also an awareness as to their unique elements that make them endure over time. The author clearly knows what he’s talking about: “Involving the reader is essential for story success. The reader should not feel like a mere observer, but like a part of things through emotional involvement with the characters and the drama of the story.” Most authors have a facility with language. However, that in itself does not make for the ability to write captivating fiction. Oftentimes, it takes a combination of dexterity with words and applying the fundamental elements so important to fiction writing to create a story writers would be proud to call their own. Coles gives writers those invaluable tools in Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide.

20. Emily-Jane Hills Orford – June 19, 2019

    What is literary fiction? And what makes it different from memoirs or genre fiction? Literary fiction is something that will stand the course of time; it will make a bold statement and allow the individual reader to grow in his or her experience merely by reading the story. Basically, literary fiction is a complex work of art, something to be savored, studied and analyzed. So, how does one write literary fiction? It must be assumed that any writer can write a good story, but is it literary fiction? Does it have the potential of becoming literary fiction? There are many elements essential in the creation of a good piece of literary fiction. First of all, characterization is important. “The author who wants to create great stories must characterize well.” The characters give the story focus, meaning, direction and so much more. And that, in the art of literary fiction, is what makes it. In effect, “Meaning and purpose are crucial.”
    Author William H. Coles’ Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide is a powerful tool to help writers, both beginners and established, to create their great work of literary fiction. Starting with a discussion and comparison of literary fiction versus memoir or genre fiction, the author proceeds to outline the important elements of a good work of literary fiction. Step-by-step, he leads the reader through the complexities of characterization, narration, dialogue, conflict, point of view and so much more. Using examples from classic literature, each important element is explained and compared to help the reader comprehend the complexities of the story’s structure. This is a must-have guide for all writers. Well written and laid out, this is an interesting read.
    Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite