

Aristotle for Novelists
10 snips Apr 3, 2025
Douglas Vigliotti, an author of four books and host of 'Books for Men,' shares insights from his book 'Aristotle for Novelists.' He discusses how Aristotle's timeless storytelling principles can enhance modern novel writing. Discover how character flaws shape narratives, the delicate balance between structure and creativity, and the significance of causality in storytelling. Vigliotti introduces a unique 15th principle highlighting the emotional challenges of publishing, emphasizing the need to conquer fear on the self-publishing journey.
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Aristotle's Influence on Storytelling
- Doug Vigliotti's journey into fiction writing led him to study story structure.
- He found screenwriting resources but realized everything traced back to Aristotle's Poetics.
Story vs. Writing
- Story is the reason people engage with a piece of writing, while writing is what makes them stay.
- Writing can be excellent, but if the story is poor, it won't hold the reader.
Universal Storytelling Elements
- All stories share common elements: a protagonist, their desires, and obstacles.
- These elements exist regardless of genre, creating a universal storytelling framework.