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
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
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.
insights INSIGHT
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.
insights INSIGHT
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.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
The Road is set in a world that has been devastated by an unspecified cataclysmic event, resulting in the extinction of nearly all life on Earth. The story follows an unnamed father and his young son as they travel south along the road, carrying their meager possessions and a pistol with only two bullets. The father, suffering from a worsening respiratory condition, is determined to protect his son from the dangers of their new world, including cannibalistic marauders. Along their journey, they encounter various survivors, some of whom are cruel and others who show kindness. The novel explores themes of love, survival, and the preservation of humanity in a world devoid of hope. Ultimately, the father's health fails, and he dies, but not before ensuring his son's safety with a new family who may offer a chance for a better future[2][3][4].
Story
Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting
Robert McKee
In *Story*, Robert McKee provides a detailed and integrated explanation of the craft of writing for the screen. The book expands on the concepts he teaches in his highly regarded seminars, offering insights into the relationship between structure and character, and the underlying principles that make a story compelling. McKee draws from a wide range of sources, including Aristotle and classic films, to offer practical advice on storytelling that is applicable to screenwriters, novelists, playwrights, and non-fiction writers.
Douglas Vigliotti authored "Aristotle for Novelists" with the intention of adapting the timeless principles of Aristotle's Poetics in a way tailored to the needs of novelists. He joins us on this week's Self Publishing Insiders to reflect on how these philosophical lessons can benefit authors looking to improve in their craft.
//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//
Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We’ll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won’t charge you a dime.
We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.
Self Publishing Insiders 
