Good advice and sobering truths

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This is an excellent lecture for both the beginner and for the guy working on his next book. The first half of the book was filled with the same old tips you find in most writing books. That’s not to say the tips weren’t valuable – in fact they made for a good refresher. However, it was the latter part of the lecture that I found most helpful.

I am a published (not self-published) author of a well-written (though not very successful) book that I am convinced, far exceeded my actual capabilities. I am very proud of that book but I am fairly convinced it was a fluke. Now I am currently halfway through my next book and I find myself facing the same struggles and self-loathing that I faced writing the first book.

So I found it very reassuring to know that my plight is no different than what most writers face. Listening to (most) of the second half of this lecture inspired me and gave me hope. Hope that I am just like every successful writer out there and that I too would reach my goal.

I highlight the word (most) because the last chapter of this lecture was so frank and true that I questioned why I am even writing in the first place. In the last 30min, Hynes gives a sobering and honest account of what it means to be a writer. Despite the lack of success from my first book, I am still deluded enough to believe that some day I will write the great American novel. So while Hynes’ honest conclusion may leave the listener feeling defeated, I have taken it as a call to arms. If writing were easy everyone would do it.

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292 people found this helpful

Theory AND Practice

This really is an outstanding course. I teach creative writing and I got interested to have a listen to this to get a glimpse of another approach.

I'd say that if you are a complete beginner writer, then this is probably not helpful yet. But if you are a writing novice, with a little unpublished writing under your belt, this may be the single most helpful tool you ever buy.

If you are an experienced writer who has gotten stuck in your process, this is a marvelous guide to alternate approaches.

Well presented, very well illustrated through texts and super-practical.

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189 people found this helpful

Best Course I've ever taken

I learned more from this course than many I took during my MFA program.

Professor Hynes breaks the process of writing fiction into its many elements: character development, setting, plot vs. story, etc., just like dozens of other books/audio lectures I've listened to. But there's one huge difference - he delivers the information in such a way that it is not only understandable, but exciting and relevant.

For each chapter/subject, Professor Hynes cites examples of the techniques he's describing from published fiction, from age-old classics to current day novels, reading brief passages and then explaining how the author utilized the technique. With precision and finesse, he literally paints a picture of what he is describing, and he ends each chapter with a suggested exercise to enforce the concept in the student's mind.

As far as delivery, Dr. Hynes is an eloquent, clear-speaking narrator who turns what might otherwise become just another boring lecture into an engaging, lively conversation between himself and the listener. I must admit, when he announced he had reached the last lecture, I was disappointed.

I experienced more than a few epiphanies for my own work during this course. I believe it to be an invaluable tool for ANY fiction writer, and one I highly recommend. It will remain in my "writer's toolbox" to be listened to time and again.

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107 people found this helpful

Like Taking a Course in the Art of Fiction

This is my first of the great courses and it definitely set the bar very high. I have my BA in Professional Writing and am currently working in an unrelated field. I've been creatively stunted and eager to get my mind back on writing.

This course is absolutely brilliant! I feel like I actually got a mini degree in fiction writing. The narrator is awesome! He walks you through all the major components of crafting a story from character to point view, plotting to research. All of the major stones are turned over and addressed in detail, citing passages from famous beloved works of fiction, many of which I have read. Those that I have not read are now on my list.

Not only does he take you through the major components necessary to write a successful work of fiction, but he also discusses the writing process, revision, the publishing industry, not to mention many insights into the writing life in his own words and in the words of many other greats.

I feel more motivated and confident as I move forward, trying to get myself back into writing again. I highly recommend this course for experienced and inexperienced writers alike. Five stars!

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101 people found this helpful

My favorite top 5 audiobook!

Would you listen to Writing Great Fiction: Storytelling Tips and Techniques again? Why?

YES! I love this audiobook and I feel I could listen to the speaker talk all day. I love the information, it's clear, very informative and inspiring. I'm definitely listening to this again! I have learned so much from this course and found it immensely inspiring for my own writing. On my second listen I will do the exercises he suggests.

Have you listened to any of Professor James Hynes’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I havn't but he's now my favorite performer (I only have 3 favorites and I listen to A LOT of audio books) so I'm excited to see what else he has done. I'd listen to him read the phone book I think. He should do more readings.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but who has the time! I've been listening to it for about an hour at a time everyday on my walks and in car rides. Usually I'll switch sometimes but this book was not only informative but also so enjoyable to listen to.

Any additional comments?

The only thing I didn't like is the music that comes in at the end of a chapter sometimes is really loud and distracting from what he's saying in the last few sentences. But no big deal.

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62 people found this helpful

Repetitive, annoying, hard to finish.

By the time I got to the last 4 hours I had it on triple speed to finish it. He states around hour 12 that he's "not a very successful writer so maybe you shouldn't listen to [him]" I found myself nodding yes. His favorite phrases: 'in other words', 'for example', and 'as I said before'. He uses the same six or seven books for examples so often, I can quote from memory several books I've never read. If you took out all the repetition this would probably be about 8 hours long. The speaker also stammered a lot. Forgivable on its own, but added to the other flaws, it's incredibly annoying. I recommend Stephen King's book On Writing instead.

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49 people found this helpful

Useful and interesting

The lecture series has plenty of good tips on going about the process of creating and revising stories and includes insights into the publishing industry, including how writing and publishing have changed in recent years. I would recommend this to beginner writers who don't have a clue how to start as well as writers who need a refresher, are experiencing writer’s block, or just want to try new methods.

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47 people found this helpful

SHOW, DON'T TELL, EVOKE

IN MY NEXT LECTURE
I did pick up some pointers and learned some things. My beef is that I could have picked it up in 2 to 3 lessons. I listen to this in two days. You do not want to do that. It is just too boring. I suggest that you listen to a lesson a day, if you make the mistake of getting this. There are shorter more to the point references out there.

NEXT
Not to harp on the failings of this professor, but how can he tell us how to write great fiction, when he as never done so. He hints that he does not like reader reviews and I can see why. With the exception of this course, he has three books available here at audible. "Next" has been listened to by ten people and has a 3.3 rating. "Kings of Infinite Space" has been listened to by 95 people and has a 3.1 rating. "Publish and Perish" has been listened to by four people and has a 3.8 rating. It is easy to see why he rather have some easily influenced academia type at a newspaper review his books as opposed to real readers. I would prefer someone like myself give his opinion, then be told by some Egghead what I am suppose to like.

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38 people found this helpful

Okay but better writing books are out there

Stein On Writing is a much better book. This was okay, but seemed too generic and not enough really good tips.

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37 people found this helpful

Pretty good

The first three quarters of the lectures were better than the last quarter... up until the part where he started quoting his own work and philosophy.

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34 people found this helpful