Aristotle for Novelists: 14 Timeless Principles on the Art of Story

by Douglas Vigliotti

In many ways, we've been telling the same stories, over and over, for the last 2300 years. This book will show you why, and how you can do it too.

For centuries, dramatic writers have relied on Aristotelian principles to write their stories for the screen and stage—the same stories you stream and watch today. But for the first time ever, the timeless principles from Aristotle’s esteemed Poetics have been adapted for novelists.

With succinct clarity, novelist Douglas Vigliotti shows you exactly how to write a novel using tried-and-true principles that have been used since antiquity to tell great stories. Whether you are writing your first or tenth novel, Aristotle for Novelists has something to offer every writer. Consider these principles the foundation on which any story can be written.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing

132 pages, Paperback

Published November 29, 2024

About the author

DOUGLAS VIGLIOTTI is the author of four books, including Aristotle for Novelists and Tom Collins: A ‘Slightly Crooked’ Novel, which is available to listen to on Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well, a podcast that also features his raw and unorthodox poem collection mini heartbreaks (or, little poems about life). He is also the host of Books for Men, a weekly podcast to inspire (more) men to read. He currently lives in New Haven, Connecticut. For more visit DouglasVigliotti.com or BooksforMen.org.

Reviews

[Roz Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review - Aristotle for Novelists: 14 Timeless Principles on the Art of Story by Douglas Vigliotti


If you are a writer, aspire to be a writer or just want to know how authors manage to keep coming up with stories you love, then this is the book for you! 


Each chapter represents a principle on the art of storytelling, based on the writing of Aristotle and the authors own experiences of writing. I thought the presentation was clearly laid out and easy to follow. It makes perfect sense! 


It is a short book but it is packed with lots of information, hints and tips for writing a cohesive narrative no matter the genre. It is a great guide that you can pick up and put down throughout the writing process. The author makes something daunting feel achievable as each stage is broken down into simple steps. Although,  it can't come up with the story for you... that is left to your own creativity!


"Story is why the come, writing is why they stay."

With thanks to the author and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review. This is my honest opinion.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is a thin book, there is a LOT here. I’ve actually read this book twice since I got my copy a few weeks ago. There are so many points to think about here. Although I’ve made many notes in the margins of my copy, I know this is a text I’ll review over and over as I write different things. From story to character development, this book takes a new point of view (or actually a very old one, because Aristotle!) that feel refreshing even though they’re centuries old! I highly recommend this book for any writer looking for inspiration!

[Emma Minazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, although it's an educational book with quotes, references etc, there were quips thrown in. A casual chat amongst friends as it were. I really liked how Douglas writes this, I need to check out the favourite books list at the back and think this is a nice addition.

I didn't know much about Aristotle before, now I feel I know a little bit more, the ideas and creative mind is flowing, the principles throughout this make sense. It brings a whole new perspective to review writing and I hope to use them in future reviews!

I like how it opens your mind up to different parts of books, characters, morals, plot, friendships, relationships etc, are they believable? Are they following a believable plan of action? Is it too farfetched? Is it relatable? All valid points and ones to take into consideration.

Enjoyable read!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. As someone who wrote short stories mannnnny years ago and considered writing a novel, this was insightful and food for thought. With examples, concepts, and principles a plenty, you will gain insight and learnings, whether you are an aspiring writer or someone who wants to understand the processes of what goes into writing a novel.

This is quite a short book, but what I like about it is the fact that it is a book that you can return to, and dip in and out to the sections that you are interested in or would like to revisit. Now, although this only comes in at 96 pages, it really is packed with a lot of information, and the author cleverly keeps you entertained with his writing style and references!

If you are an aspiring writer or would love to learn more, then this will be perfect for you!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

It may be a thin book but it is ideal for those who are looking into writing their own novels! It is a must-read, it is full of examples and concepts to help. As we all know, there is an art to writing and this book helps you to not only see the story you are developing from different angles but can also help you with how to structure the story. Completely recommend for those who are looking for a refresher in their creative writing or even to have for those writer block days.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Readalong for
Aristotle for Novelists: 14 Timeless
Principles on the Art of Story by
Douglas Vigliotti.
I did really enjoy this book. I loved the cover. I found this intriguing and unique. It has does less equall more. It's packed with useful information for writers. Each chapter has a principal on the art of telling stories. It has opened my mind and I have learnt how much goes into writing a book. I did like the writing style. I liked how each chapter was set up. This was a quick and easy read. I recommend this book

[Bookworm86 · Rating 4 out of 5]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Aristotle For Novelists' by Douglas Vigliotti

I will start by saying that this isn't my usual chosen genre but I'm an eclectic reader and happy to give any book a read I must say that if you are the same as me and don't normally read non fiction then don't let that put you off and pick up your copy of this great book today!! Although this book is advertised more towards authors as a reader I still found it intriguing and since I have read it have been able to spot several of the principles that Douglas talks about in other books where authors have used them. The last principle especially speaks about reviews and as a bookstagrammer and reviewer myself I thought that it included some very useful tips as to what to look for and then review in a book. I will definitely be referring back to this book when I do my book reviews from now on and you never know maybe if I ever become an author myself too!! I read this book as part of a read along where I answered questions that were relevant to the plot such as 'Does less equal more'? and 'What's More Important to you, writing or plot?'. I thoroughly enjoyed answering these questions as I read the principle which covered those topics. This book really does make you think more about parts of books that you have read such as the plot, characters and writing style. I absolutely loved Douglas' writing style which was humorous, informational and fun meaning it felt more like I was having a chat with a friend across the table with a friend than reading an educational book. It is also a short book at just 132 pages but in those pages Douglas packs a lot of information!! It is also set in sections with an introduction and 15 chapters, each discussing Aristotle Principle's. I have only read about Aristotle in one other book before now but thanks to Douglas it feels like I know a lot more about his principles. Douglas also includes plenty of references and quotes which I enjoyed reading as well as using examples of other books. I have not actually read most of the books that Douglas mentions but they are now on my TBR list as I am intrigued to read them after how Douglas speaks about the authors writing styles, etc. I like that Douglas has included a list of recommend non fiction books at the end but even more that he has a podcast titled 'Books For Men' and a back catalogue of the same name which I will be getting my partner to check out. Daz is not a huge reader so it is always good to discover books recommended specifically for men.
This really is a great little book which I found to be humorous, intriguing, educational and fun!!! I am looking forward to reading more books by Douglas Vigliotti. Thank you for a brilliant, easy, fun and knowledgeable read!! I thoroughly enjoyed it!! I would definitely highly recommend this book to anyone considering writing a book but also to readers and reviewers alike.

Congratulations Douglas on a fantastic, fun, intriguing, knowledgeable and fascinating read! I am looking forward to referring back to it time and time again when I am reviewing future books.

Overall an absolutely brilliant, entertaining, educational and fascinating book perfect for readers and writers alike!


@douglasvigliotti

@lovebookstours

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[Veronika Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book, I felt like I was revising for my Open University Humanities degree again, part of which was a Diploma in Literature with Creative Writing. I needed this! I graduated in 2009 and had forgotten so much about the principles. ‘Less is more’, ‘murder your darlings’, relevance. How it all came back! Basically, stop waffling to reach your word count. Note the use of italics. I use it for titles of things – for me it’s just my editorial style.

But that’s only one of the principles. It all came from Aristotle apparently, who never actually wrote a novel. But the principles remain true today. In general a novel should have a beginning, a middle and an end. And be a certain length depending on the genre (a lot of historical fiction can be VERY long). Break the rules if you want, but do so at your peril. You need a good reason, do it well, but be prepared to take the flak.

Vigliotti tells us that films pack everything into a couple of hours or less, but that the rules still apply. Novels (and films) can be tragedy or comedy. The main difference is that a tragedy will end in…well…tragedy, while a comedy should have a happy ending. Hamlet is my favourite Shakespeare play even though everyone dies at the end (tragedy), while in A Midsummer Night’s Dream everyone ends up happy (comedy).

My husband is always coming up with ideas for a novel. I rarely do – I wish I did – because I admit I am more ‘style over substance’. On that basis, he says we could write one together. My answer is always the same. Go away and read as many books as you can that were written later than the 1970s. Your ideas are great, but they’ve been done a million times already. You would know this if you tried reading more – it’s fine, we’ve been married 42 years.

Stephen King said famously, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.”

So where are we? Having a good idea is only the beginning. You have an amazing protagonist. He/she will be the stuff of dreams (after they have overcome the usual problems and journeys and found themselves – think Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy). Spoiler alert – you know they will get together in the end. The villain can be handsome and charming like Christopher Lee’s Dracula, or look obviously evil with one eye, a limp and a scar across his face. The reader will be awaiting his downfall with baited breath. Or maybe they won’t, but it depends on the reader.

As usual, I’m in danger of waffling. Just read the book – it’s only short – and take from it what you need. It’s well worth it.

Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of the #AristotleForNovelists readalong and review tour.

[Emmie Mere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow did I underestimate this book! While I have about 23 novels brewing in my head and chapters of several others written(ish), I am far from being a novelist. That, plus being overwhelmed at just the thought of Aristotle’s teachings, I figured this would be interesting to skim through at the most.

Instead I found the writing easy and simple to understand, without being patronizing. I appreciated the author’s humor and applaud any non-fiction that includes multiple uses of the f-word. The book had a conversational flow and I get the sense reading from the author is much like talking to him.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this was not simply a translation or regurgitation of, Aristotle says. It’s a truly thoughtful book that takes Aristotle’s teachings as grounding for writing, and reconstructs them for the rest of us. I came away with intelligent, well-developed tips that I can actually see being put into practice. I especially gravitated toward the ideas around organization, form and structure.

I won’t go so far as to say reading this book is going to turn me into the next great novelist, and I’m positive that wasn’t the author’s intention. But I do think it could help me hone my craft and maybe be a better writer in the end. I also came away with a list of books to read, the top of which is Aristotle’s “Poetics,” translated of course.

Coming in at a smooth 96 pages, this book is completely manageable. I’d recommend to anyone wanting to improve as a writer.

I’m truly thankful to author Douglas Vigliotti and Love Book Tours for a free physical copy of Aristotle for Novelists. All opinions are my own.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reviewing, I read Tom Collins by this author and loved it, so I was really keen to dive into another of their books.

This, however, turned out to be something completely different, both to that first read and to what I'd been expecting.

 

This is a quick non-fiction read that holds some brilliant hints and tips which offer help for aspiring (and maybe also the more seasoned) writer.

 

I wondered whether I'd get as much enjoyment out of this than others might, given that I'm definitely not (now or in the future) going to be writing anything - other than a shopping list!

But this really surprised me with it's insightful and interesting principles.

 

I loved the format and breakdown of this book and found it easy to read over the course of our Read-Along month.

Taking one or two of the principles at a time and really digesting what the author was imparting.

 

Using their own experience as a writer and also referencing many other authors, directors, books and films (including Aristotle of course) we take a look at these principles and see how they can relate to what makes a great novel.

 

I think that this also helps us as reviewers, to become more mindful of what is involved in creating the books that we read and to be much more constructive in our reviews too.

 

I really liked the relaxed and chatty writing style used here, which kept the content light and enjoyable throughout.

 

A short and snappy read that will be a great addition to any writers reading pile but also enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in the book writing process.

[Amorina Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an interesting and helpful book for writers. I have definitely heard of Aristotle. I've heard of the comedy, the tragedy, and many of his ideas. This is the first I've heard of it being focused on novels. It's such an interesting concept, and it offers a ton of great advice for writers like me. I've really decided to buckle down and focus on getting my work published this year, so this book can't have come at a better time for me.

I found tons of useful information in the pages. As a fellow writer, I'll definitely come back to this book again and again to mine it for bits of wisdom. The author is himself a writer. Obviously, he wrote this book, but he's also written others. It's really clever to me that he mined the Poetics for useful tidbits to help us write better novels. I've never heard of anything like that, but, of course, I haven't read all the books - so don't quote me on that.

I'm also impressed he managed to make this book so interesting. Sometimes, books like this can be boring. It's just a fact of life, but this one had plenty of entertaining information and was written with a sense of humor.

I don't want to spoil anything, but it includes 14 principles to help make you a better writer. My favorite is No. 15, though, which is a little bonus. It says Novelists must write, read, and have courage. It really resonated with me, and this author at least agrees that authors need to read and practice! Some argue against that, and I'll never understand why!

[Alis Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aristotle for Novelists is a non-fiction book based on 14 principles of writing a novel. Now, I’m not a novelist myself, but as a prolific reader, I’ve always been curious about how stories are crafted. I also wondered if the lessons from this book could be applied beyond writing fiction—and that curiosity is what drew me to it.
First off, I have to mention the cover design—it’s gorgeous! It hooked me right away. The book itself is well-organised, breaking down each principle into manageable sections. It offers plenty of practical advice, making it a great starting point for anyone embarking on their writing journey. The tone is pragmatic yet sprinkled with humour, which kept me engaged throughout.
One thing I loved is that you don’t have to read it cover to cover in order. You can dip in and out as you like, which makes it feel more like a handy reference guide than a rigid manual. As a reader, I had several lightbulb moments where I found myself nodding along, realising how these principles influence the stories I enjoy. Some ideas were entirely new to me, and I could see how they might apply outside of novel-writing too.
That said, a few chapters felt a bit long for my taste, and I found myself wishing they were more concise. But overall, the layout and content make this a book you can return to again and again, whether for inspiration or a quick refresher.
If you’re a writer—or even just someone curious about the mechanics of storytelling—I think you’d find this book insightful and enjoyable!

[Nadine-Sue Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating guide to writing where we are given a breakdown of principles to consider when writing a novel/novella etc.

I like how this is quite succinct and to the point whilst also giving a range of examples including some fun references to Rocky!! We're also given an honest view regarding industry standards and the potential issues a new writer might encounter should they deviate from those. Definitely gives you something to think about when considering writing for yourself. Have been told to write about my life experiences before and often wondered if I should or whether I have another kind of book in me 🤔 This guide is something useful to consider before (and alongside) putting pen to paper and writing.

Something that did peak my interest was the reference to trickery in principle 11. I love books that are full of twists and turns. However, you do only read them once as you know the tricks so the element of surprise is lost. Trickery is good fun as a reader but I imagine is hard work for writers who probably spend a lot of time piecing it all together only to realise that the reader will most likely read once. This adds pressure as you want the tricks to be good enough to ensure you reader is wowed enough to recommend/pass on the book. Bit of a gamble but it does pay off for some writers.

There's a lot of interesting points within the principles and then a recommendation of 30 books to read around storytelling, writing and creativity

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a novelist. I mean, I've probably got about 100 stories inside me, but I don't think I'll ever get them onto paper. Not least because the one I most want to write isn't really my story to tell. And the person it belongs to probably doesn't want it out there. I've also never read Aristotle, I'm not sure what that says about me!

But this book was fascinating and helpful as a reader and reviewer too. It made me think about what matters to me when reviewing how good a book is. I'm hoping it's helped my reviews to be more concise and structured.

Laid out in logical and clearly defined principles, Aristotle for Novelists really is a one stop guide to the things you need to consider when writing a novel. Not only is it useful, but it's written in such a humorous style, I really felt like Douglas and I were just having a casual chat together rather than being spoken 'at' or lectured.

Physically, this book is such a great size. Perfect for sticking in my handbag to read when I've got a spare 5 minutes. Plus the cover is so nice and colorful. What's not to like!

[Cathy Pike · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this is a bit of a deviation from my usual type of book, it’s non-fiction for a start! And is not about true crime, archeology, space, history, or autobiographies, which are my usual non-fiction go-to.

Douglas has taken Aristotles key principles from his poetics work and adapted them for novelists, in particular for writers of fiction, starting his own thoughts along the way.

Out of the 14 principles I think the principle that resonates with me most is principle 2 - novels should be consistent. Whilst I agree with the points Douglas makes about stylistic changes, it is when the writer flips from 1st to 3rd person or the tense mid sentence, I get frustrated when there are inconsistencies in a piece of writing, whether it be a book, film, play or even a news article. There is nothing worse because it can lead to confusion which in turn can lead to frustration from a readers standpoint.

This is a great book for anyone looking to write anything really, it is not overly long or complicated which is helpful. It is well written and easy to read, and is interesting too!

[Teresa Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aristotle for Novelists
14 Timeless Principles on the Art of Story
Douglas Vigliotti
11/29/2024

First, let me say, I am not a writer. I never thought I could do it. I mean I come up with scenarios in my mind or with my husband and a banger of a story always plays out. But – that – is – it . Now - - well, I am thinking differently. Like, it might totally be possible.

Although this book is small and thin, it is packed full of information and thoughts and ideas. This will totally make my reviews a little different. Things that I have never considered. Each principle is explained with examples and ideas of what to do or how to do it and why it is important. For example, Principle #12 – Novels should be clear, but not ordinary. And, yes there are principles on reviews and criticism and COURAGE do it!

Check it out. I think you will pick this up, write a lot of notes in the margins. Argue with yourself, a fellow writer and maybe Aristotle

[Julie B. (readingonthebrink) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“🎵Queue Atli Örvarsson’s Aristotle Theme.…“🎵

All I can say is, WOW! Nothing I imagined, nothing I expected. I was interested to read this book as several people have often told me I needed to write my own story. But regardless of whether or not I was looking to learn how to write a novel, or just how to better my writing as a reviewer, THIS is the handbook to have and to hold, to reflect on and to refer to (yes, grammar aside!).

There is so much to absorb and unpack, while you can read the novel in one sitting, to truly gain all it has to offer, it must command a prominent place on the closest bookshelf or desktop. I never delved into the teachings of Aristotle, but I love how Vigliotti takes not one, but three different translations and transforms the ideas within into understandable and actionable terms. I also love the wit and ease, the comfortability Vigliotti takes as he relays his knowledge to the reader. Anyone who has an interest in writing for readers needs this novel! Just remember (according to Vigliotti and Aristotle), "Art is subjective. Reviews are about taste." 😉

Thank you to @lovebookstours for introducing me to Aristotle for Novelists, and to @douglasvigliotti for my electronic copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a well written book writing novel. We are huge learners in our house and know Plato and Aristotle both;) This is a fantastic book about learning how to write a novel with 14 principles. I loved how the author compared screenplay and novel writing as they are very similar but very different. The principles all make perfect sense to me as a writer, myself,(non-published). I think that the author did a great job with writing a very interesting and conversational read about novel writing. I also loved the part where the writer says that Aristotle outlined The Odyssey in seven lines and they were short. You don't have to have a huge outline, it can be short and still you can write a good story!

I think this is a must book for any up and coming writer who is looking to become a better writer overall, not just for published writers or nonpublished writers. This is a great addition to a writer's shelf!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author Douglas Vigliotti and to Love Book Tours for the physical copy, it has not affected my honest review.

Aristotle for Novelists is a really original guide to writing. It uses Aristotle's words to help writers (and non-writers; this could be easily read by anyone) develop and believe in their writing through quotes, references to other works and a lovely, well-balanced amount of humour. I've read a few writing aids before but nothing like this, it's informal and casual but the points Douglas Vigliotti makes are genuinely so helpful and relatable. By taking the words of Aristotle and weaving them together with 14 principles, the author allows the reader to think more deeply about how they write, what they're trying to say and whether or not they can be their authentic artistic self. This is a small book, running at just over 100 pages, but it gives a lot- I just wish it had been longer.

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you're a wordy person you always think to yourself !"I could write a book" or "That's be a great idea for a book". But not many of us are brave enough to put pen to paper and actually write it down.

This book, although slim, is actually packed full for information, things to ponder and ideas to mull over. The tone of the book feels very informal and reads almost like a conversation between the author and the reader. The wee quips every so often really tempers the information overload.

As a bit of Classicist and Ancient History buff I already knew quite a lot about Aristotle and Co but I had read very few of his actual works. The way the chapters were broken down into nuggets to improve you writing - such as characters, plot, writing style, what scenes are probable, which relationships bolster your characters, etc - all helps to get your brain to think about YOUR style of writing and book and less about what others do.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much more enjoyable than I thought it would be. The fact that it says Aristotle for Novelists can be a bit intimidating. However, I found this book to be quite insightful. Each principle came with real life examples to make them truly come to life in your mind. Whether you're a novelist or just enjoy consuming novels, the breakdown in this and examples really give you an insight into storytelling. While it says 14 principles, Vigliotti graces us with a 15th principle all his own. Included in it is some examples from others in literature and storytelling that are rather well known in my opinion. This book has done what others have been trying to do for some time now. I will finally start writing again. I'd quote the 15th principle here but I believe it's better if you get it directly from the source.

[Jessica Juby | jesshidesinbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

A print copy of this book was provided through Love Books Tours in exchange for an honest review.

For a small book, this readalong has delved into some big topics! I enjoyed the style in which this was written, not too formal, sometimes tongue in cheek, delivering the points succinctly.

I feel like new writers would have the most to gain from reading this but I did make a couple of notes which I think will help progress my third revision of my current WIP. It also definitely offered lots of opportunity for reflection and activities to work through various parts of your writing.

There were a lot cult TV/movie references which helped apply the points to wider examples, but these were mostly lost on me 😅 however, it does mean that the examples are still there for me to refer to if I want to see the case in point through a different medium.

[Reads_Must · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aristotle for Novelists
Non-fiction
Douglas Vigliotti
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

•ᴀᴅ-ᴘʀ ᴘʀᴏᴅᴜᴄᴛ•

This book is great to both readers and writers!

I really liked the writing style of Douglas Vigliotti. He made the topics very easy to read and understand while including a lot of interesting information at the same time.

I liked how humour was used throughout this book. It fit very well and helped me to stay engaged.

The topics and principles themselves were often thought provoking and they definitely changed the way I thought about writing and reading.

When people read about Aristotle and his philosophies, they often think that it's boring, dense or too long winded but this book was the complete opposite of that.

I'm so glad I got to be part of this readalong.

*Thank you to @lovebookstours and @douglasvigliotti for providing this book and including me in this read-along.*

[Bianca Duthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the introduction, the writer discusses the benefit in a good story vs. good writing. This really stood out to me, I've often read books and nit enjoyed the story but appreciated it being well-written. This is a non-fiction piece of work, so you can't judge it on the story, but this is really good writing. It has humorous, relatable speech and reads as if I'm listening to someone speaking to me.
There's a lot of insightful tips for aspiring writers, and I'm sure more established ones too.
I really like the cover, and I think it will attract attention straight off.
I like all of the pop-culture references throughout and found the pacing really kept my attention well.
This is a short read, I think that many people will get a lot out of this read and that it will do well.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been interested in philosophy and recently have been reading a lot more about it so when I saw this I knew I had to read it. It's so interesting how philosophy can be applied to absolutely anything in life, including writing a novel!

This guide was written with lots of humour and a great casual, friendly tone which is what I prefer in non-fiction. It has lots of useful tips and has also helped me to realise WHY certain parts of stories get me hooked and why other parts are just annoying. It's great having a bit of a framework as to what works rather than just my vague feelings. The only thing I would have liked is a bit more of Aristotle in the book as I am fascinated by his work.

[Amie Boes · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Aristotle for Novelists, by Douglas Vigliotti bridged the ancient wisdom of Aristotle’s teachings with the modern craft of storytelling. Vigliotti covers Aristotles key concepts, such as ethos, pathos, and logos, and tells us how these elements are essential to creating compelling narratives and well-rounded characters. This book is written in such an accessible and engaging style that it makes complex philosophical ideas easy to understand and apply. Not only is this an excellent educational tool, it is also a guide which encourages writers to ground their stories in these principles. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I think it’s a must-read for anyone who writes/wants to write and is looking to enhance their story telling techniques.

[Helen Arrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

READAL0NG BOOK REVIEW - ARISTOTLE FOR NOVELISTS

 

Aristotle for Novelists by Douglas Vigliotti

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

A very interesting book working through Poetics, a work of Aristotle. I liked Douglas’s writing style, informative but humorous, and in places almost chatty with the reader.

It is broken down into 14 principles and Douglas explains each area using personal references to his books but also to movies and books which may be more recognisable, detailing how it fits together. I think anyone wanting to write a novel would benefit from reading it and also having it handy to refer back to.

I received a gifted copy of this book. This is my honest review.

[kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book much more than I expected too, it was a very short but incredibly insightful read full of tips for people who are thinking of writing their first novel.

It was well written and the author has a simple way pf bring humour into it that just makes it so readable, I love that something like Aristotle that isn't necessarily accessible to everybody - I know he intimidates me anyway - has been brought into this book in such a way that it has made me want to read more Aristotle.

I really liked it and I would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking of writing their debut, or writers looking for that next bit of inspiration or simply anyone looking to try something new

[Sharlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredibly useful read for anyone who wants to be an author. Douglas Vigliotti provides a lot of information and examples for writing your own book, and gives us 15 main principles for writing a good book. With inspiration from Aristotle, this is a great guide and a quick read so it doesn't feel too intimidating - it's accessible and motivating. As someone who aspires to publish their own book one day, I'm definitely going to be revisiting this a lot! Though, I would also say that anyone interested in working in music and film, not just authors or aspiring authors, would also find this useful!

[Meg Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredibly informative, 14 principles broken down into easy to understand and employ with added humor and pop culture references.
The way this book is written had me flying through it, I loved the style of writing, and references to books such as the secret history! Aristotle for novelists takes you through the stages of writing a book, it’s written in a humorous style which again, was very enjoyable for me, especially with such a subject as Aristotle, and I have to say this book has been the most enjoyable for me on him🤣. Thankyou so much for my place on the tour, my book and the goodies.