Self Publishing Insiders
Aristotle for Novelists
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.
55:41
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Quick takeaways
- Douglas Vigliotti emphasizes the importance of adapting Aristotle's Poetics specifically for novelists to enhance their storytelling craft.
- The principle of believability, founded on logical causality, is essential for engaging narratives and character development in fiction.
Deep dives
The Genesis of 'Aristotle for Novelists'
The author, Doug Vigliotti, shares the journey behind writing 'Aristotle for Novelists', which stemmed from his transition from nonfiction to fiction. He discovered a lack of resources tailored for novelists when researching story structure, as most available guides catered to screenwriters. Vigliotti noted that principles from Aristotle’s Poetics have underpinned storytelling for centuries, influencing modern narratives in both literature and film. His frustration with the absence of these insights packaged specifically for novelists motivated him to write a book that bridges this gap.
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