Listen free for 30 days
-
Writing Great Fiction: Storytelling Tips and Techniques
- Narrated by: James Hynes
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $43.80
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Buy it with
-
Writing Creative Nonfiction
- Written by: Tilar J J. Mazzeo, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Tilar J J. Mazzeo
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bringing together the imaginative strategies of fiction storytelling and new ways of narrating true, real-life events, creative nonfiction is the fastest-growing part of the creative writing world. It's a cutting-edge genre that's reshaping how we write (and read) everything from biographies and memoirs to blogs and public speaking scripts to personal essays and magazine articles.
Written by: Tilar J J. Mazzeo, and others
-
How to Write Best-Selling Fiction
- Written by: James Scott Bell, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: James Scott Bell
- Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Most people think the way to write a best seller is to have a lot of talent and even more luck. As you will learn, there is a recipe for success, and luck may be the least important ingredient in creating a best seller. No one has cracked the code better than James Scott Bell. A best-selling author himself, and the author of the number-one best seller for writers, Plot & Structure, Mr. Bell has been teaching the principles of best-selling fiction for over 20 years, principles that apply to any genre or style.
-
-
Inspiring
- By The Three Chicas on 2021-02-01
Written by: James Scott Bell, and others
-
Effective Editing
- How to Take Your Writing to the Next Level
- Written by: Molly McCowan, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Molly McCowan
- Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Book coach and editor Molly McCowan takes you through the self-editing process in 13 detailed lessons, using a step-by-step method designed to reduce overwhelm and to structure the revision process in the most productive way possible. Working from the big to the little picture of your work, Molly shows you how to strengthen character development, find and fix plot holes, build stronger scenes, focus on smooth pacing and point-of-view issues, elevate your language, and much more.
-
-
Essential
- By Chris Dow on 2022-04-05
Written by: Molly McCowan, and others
-
Story Genius
- How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere)
- Written by: Lisa Cron
- Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
- Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's every novelist's greatest fear: pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into writing hundreds of pages only to realize that their story has no sense of urgency, no internal logic, and so is a page-one rewrite. The prevailing wisdom in the writing community is that there are just two ways around this problem: pantsing (winging it) and plotting (focusing on the external plot).
-
-
Wow. A Series of Advice that Needs Interpreting.
- By Daniell T. on 2023-05-03
Written by: Lisa Cron
-
Save the Cat!
- The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
- Written by: Blake Snyder
- Narrated by: George Newbern
- Length: 5 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here's what started the phenomenon: This book has been a best seller for over 15 years and has been used by screenwriters around the world! Blake Snyder tells all in this fast, funny, and candid look inside the movie business. Save the Cat is just one of many ironclad rules for making your ideas more marketable and your script more satisfying.
-
-
Great info but lacking PDF content
- By J. on 2018-12-07
Written by: Blake Snyder
-
Writing Tools (10th Anniversary Edition)
- 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer
- Written by: Roy Peter Clark
- Narrated by: Neil Kaplan
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ten years ago, Roy Peter Clark, America's most influential writing teacher, whittled down almost 30 years of experience in journalism, writing, and teaching into a series of 50 short essays on different aspects of writing. In the past decade, Writing Tools has become a classic guidebook for novices and experts alike and remains one of the best loved books on writing available. This new edition includes five brand-new, never-before-shared tools.
Written by: Roy Peter Clark
-
Writing Creative Nonfiction
- Written by: Tilar J J. Mazzeo, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Tilar J J. Mazzeo
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bringing together the imaginative strategies of fiction storytelling and new ways of narrating true, real-life events, creative nonfiction is the fastest-growing part of the creative writing world. It's a cutting-edge genre that's reshaping how we write (and read) everything from biographies and memoirs to blogs and public speaking scripts to personal essays and magazine articles.
Written by: Tilar J J. Mazzeo, and others
-
How to Write Best-Selling Fiction
- Written by: James Scott Bell, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: James Scott Bell
- Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Most people think the way to write a best seller is to have a lot of talent and even more luck. As you will learn, there is a recipe for success, and luck may be the least important ingredient in creating a best seller. No one has cracked the code better than James Scott Bell. A best-selling author himself, and the author of the number-one best seller for writers, Plot & Structure, Mr. Bell has been teaching the principles of best-selling fiction for over 20 years, principles that apply to any genre or style.
-
-
Inspiring
- By The Three Chicas on 2021-02-01
Written by: James Scott Bell, and others
-
Effective Editing
- How to Take Your Writing to the Next Level
- Written by: Molly McCowan, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Professor Molly McCowan
- Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Book coach and editor Molly McCowan takes you through the self-editing process in 13 detailed lessons, using a step-by-step method designed to reduce overwhelm and to structure the revision process in the most productive way possible. Working from the big to the little picture of your work, Molly shows you how to strengthen character development, find and fix plot holes, build stronger scenes, focus on smooth pacing and point-of-view issues, elevate your language, and much more.
-
-
Essential
- By Chris Dow on 2022-04-05
Written by: Molly McCowan, and others
-
Story Genius
- How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere)
- Written by: Lisa Cron
- Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
- Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's every novelist's greatest fear: pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into writing hundreds of pages only to realize that their story has no sense of urgency, no internal logic, and so is a page-one rewrite. The prevailing wisdom in the writing community is that there are just two ways around this problem: pantsing (winging it) and plotting (focusing on the external plot).
-
-
Wow. A Series of Advice that Needs Interpreting.
- By Daniell T. on 2023-05-03
Written by: Lisa Cron
-
Save the Cat!
- The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
- Written by: Blake Snyder
- Narrated by: George Newbern
- Length: 5 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here's what started the phenomenon: This book has been a best seller for over 15 years and has been used by screenwriters around the world! Blake Snyder tells all in this fast, funny, and candid look inside the movie business. Save the Cat is just one of many ironclad rules for making your ideas more marketable and your script more satisfying.
-
-
Great info but lacking PDF content
- By J. on 2018-12-07
Written by: Blake Snyder
-
Writing Tools (10th Anniversary Edition)
- 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer
- Written by: Roy Peter Clark
- Narrated by: Neil Kaplan
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ten years ago, Roy Peter Clark, America's most influential writing teacher, whittled down almost 30 years of experience in journalism, writing, and teaching into a series of 50 short essays on different aspects of writing. In the past decade, Writing Tools has become a classic guidebook for novices and experts alike and remains one of the best loved books on writing available. This new edition includes five brand-new, never-before-shared tools.
Written by: Roy Peter Clark
-
Structuring Your Novel
- Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story
- Written by: K. M. Weiland
- Narrated by: Sonja Field
- Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Why do some stories work and others don't? The answer is structure. In this IPPY and NIEA Award-winning guide from the author of the bestselling Outlining Your Novel, you will discover the universal underpinnings that guarantee powerful plot and character arcs. An understanding of proper story and scene structure will help you to not only perfectly time your story's major events, but will also provide you with an unerring standard to use in evaluating your novel's pacing and progression.
-
-
Actionable tips that are easy to understand
- By Amazon Customer on 2019-06-02
Written by: K. M. Weiland
-
Screenwriting 101: Mastering the Art of Story
- Written by: Angus Fletcher, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Angus Fletcher
- Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whether you want to write your own scripts or simply gain a deeper appreciation for the great stories you see unfold on the screen, Professor Angus Fletcher is here to show you the way in Screenwriting 101: Mastering the Art of Story. Professor Fletcher, Professor of English and Film at The Ohio State University, brings both a personal and scholarly perspective to this craft. As a screenwriter himself, he has experienced the ins and outs of the process first-hand.
-
-
Not practical
- By Marie-Louise on 2019-01-03
Written by: Angus Fletcher, and others
-
On Writing and Worldbuilding - Volume I
- Written by: Timothy Hickson
- Narrated by: Larissa Thompson, Merphy Napier
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Writing advice tends to be full of "rules" and "tips" which are either too broad to be helpful or outright wrong. In On Writing and Worldbuilding, we will discuss specific and applicable ideas to consider, from effective methods of delivering exposition and foreshadowing, to how communication, commerce, and control play into the fall of an empire.
-
-
A great explanation of world building
- By Samantha on 2023-09-11
Written by: Timothy Hickson
-
Food: A Cultural Culinary History
- Written by: Ken Albala, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Ken Albala
- Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eating is an indispensable human activity. As a result, whether we realize it or not, the drive to obtain food has been a major catalyst across all of history, from prehistoric times to the present. Epicure Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin said it best: "Gastronomy governs the whole life of man."
-
-
This is a Western food history course
- By Anonymous User on 2019-05-15
Written by: Ken Albala, and others
-
Directing Actors
- Written by: Judith Weston
- Narrated by: Judith Weston
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this essential guide to acting, internationally renowned directing coach Judith Weston demonstrates what constitutes a good performance, what actors want from a director, and what directors do wrong. She also goes over script analysis and preparation and how actors work, and she shares important and helpful insights into the director/actor relationship.
-
-
Very thorough
- By Eric on 2021-07-28
Written by: Judith Weston
-
Outlining Your Novel
- Map Your Way to Success
- Written by: K. M. Weiland
- Narrated by: Sonja Field
- Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Let outlines help you write a better book! Writers often look upon outlines with fear and trembling. But when properly understood and correctly wielded, the outline is one of the most powerful weapons in a writer's arsenal.
-
-
Indispensable
- By Ivy Mills on 2022-09-15
Written by: K. M. Weiland
-
The Theory of Everything: The Quest to Explain All Reality
- Written by: Don Lincoln, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Don Lincoln
- Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the end of his career, Albert Einstein was pursuing a dream far more ambitious than the theory of relativity. He was trying to find an equation that explained all physical reality - a theory of everything. Experimental physicist and award-winning educator Dr. Don Lincoln takes you on this exciting journey in The Theory of Everything: The Quest to Explain All Reality. Suitable for the intellectually curious at all levels and assuming no background beyond basic high-school math, these 24 half-hour lectures cover recent developments at the forefront of particle physics and cosmology.
-
-
Needs to be re-recorded
- By WTL on 2019-09-17
Written by: Don Lincoln, and others
-
Your Deceptive Mind: A Scientific Guide to Critical Thinking Skills
- Written by: Steven Novella, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Steven Novella
- Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No skill is more important in today's world than being able to think about, understand, and act on information in an effective and responsible way. What's more, at no point in human history have we had access to so much information, with such relative ease, as we do in the 21st century. But because misinformation out there has increased as well, critical thinking is more important than ever. These 24 rewarding lectures equip you with the knowledge and techniques you need to become a savvier, sharper critical thinker in your professional and personal life.
-
-
Great book worth a listen but maybe I'm bias.
- By Martin on 2018-01-15
Written by: Steven Novella, and others
-
Thinking Like an Economist: A Guide to Rational Decision Making
- Written by: Randall Bartlett, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Randall Bartlett
- Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Economic forces are everywhere around you. But that doesn't mean you need to passively accept whatever outcome those forces might press upon you. Instead, with these 12 fast-moving and crystal clear lectures, you can learn how to use a small handful of basic nuts-and-bolts principles to turn those same forces to your own advantage.
-
-
Informative, Concise and Useful wisdom
- By B on 2018-06-11
Written by: Randall Bartlett, and others
-
Creating Character Arcs
- The Masterful Author's Guide to Uniting Story Structure, Plot, and Character Development
- Written by: K.M. Weiland
- Narrated by: Sonja Field
- Length: 5 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Have you written a story with an exciting concept and interesting characters - but it just isn't grabbing the attention of readers or agents? It's time to look deeper into the story beats that create realistic and compelling character arcs. Internationally published, award-winning novelist K.M. Weiland shares her acclaimed method for achieving memorable and moving character arcs in every book you write.
-
-
Indispensable
- By Alex Makar (the author!) on 2019-09-19
Written by: K.M. Weiland
-
A Day's Read
- Written by: The Great Courses, Emily Allen, Grant L. Voth, and others
- Narrated by: Arnold Weinstein, Emily Allen, Grant L. Voth
- Length: 18 hrs and 25 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Join three literary scholars and award-winning professors as they introduce you to dozens of short masterpieces that you can finish - and engage with - in a day or less. Perfect for people with busy lives who still want to discover-or rediscover-just how transformative an act of reading can be, these 36 lectures range from short stories of fewer than 10 pages to novellas and novels of around 200 pages. Despite their short length, these works are powerful examinations of the same subjects and themes that longer "great books" discuss.
-
-
341
- By John McDougall on 2020-07-19
Written by: The Great Courses, and others
-
Elements of Jazz: From Cakewalks to Fusion
- Written by: Bill Messenger, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Bill Messenger
- Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jazz is a uniquely American art form, one of America's great contributions to not only musical culture, but world culture, with each generation of musicians applying new levels of creativity that take the music in unexpected directions that defy definition, category, and stagnation. Now you can learn the basics and history of this intoxicating genre in an eight-lecture series that is as free-flowing and original as the art form itself.
-
-
Excellent
- By ChrisVK on 2023-07-15
Written by: Bill Messenger, and others
Publisher's Summary
Whether you're huddled around the campfire, composing an email to a friend, or sitting down to write a novel, storytelling is fundamental to human nature. But as any writer can tell you, the blank page can be daunting. It's tough to know where to get started, what details to include in each scene, and how to move from the kernel of an idea to a completed manuscript.
Writing great fiction isn't a gift reserved for the talented few. There is a craft to storytelling that can be learned, and studying writing techniques can be incredibly rewarding - both personally and professionally. Even if you don’t have ambitions of penning the next Moby-Dick, you'll find value in exploring all the elements of fiction.
From evoking a scene to charting a plot to revising your drafts, Writing Great Fiction: Storytelling Tips and Techniques offers a master class in storytelling. Taught by award-winning novelist James Hynes, a former visiting professor at the famed Iowa Writers' Workshop, these 24 insightful lectures show you the ins and outs of the fiction writer's craft. Get tips for developing believable and memorable characters, explore how to craft plausible dialogue that serves the purposes of your narrative, compare the advantages of different points of view, and more. A wealth of exercises will inspire you to practice the many techniques you learn. Professor Hynes is an able guide, showing you what has worked for him and other novelists, and pointing out pitfalls to avoid. Writing Great Fiction is truly an exceptional course for anyone interested in storytelling.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
More from the same
Author:
What listeners say about Writing Great Fiction: Storytelling Tips and Techniques
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bruce
- 2018-01-27
this is a book of extraordinary quality on conveyi
I truly needed to read this book it is of exceptional quality and answered many of my questions abode a craft of writing
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Nadiia
- 2017-10-04
that was something new to learn
i always wanted to learn how to write fiction. last chapter sort of gave me a good answer that i should not
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Thomas Reneau
- 2018-09-16
Always wanted to write... This is a must-read
Absolutely loved this book. The lecturer makes it both interesting and super motivating. Smart step by step guide... you will not regret it. I will listen to it again. Thanks #Audible1 for making it happen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 2018-08-17
Excellent
If you are writing a non fiction book this is one you really need to listen to.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- George Pickstock
- 2019-08-17
A Superb Course for Aspiring Authors
I listen to this course often. Since its purchase, I have probably listened to these lectures dozens of times. Jame Hynes is fantastic at explaining the various nuances of the writing art. I highly recommend this audiobook to any would-be author.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- HotelJordan
- 2018-08-21
Great info for aspiring writers.
An easy listen full of concise information and explanation. The author demonstrates, in easy to understand language, the key principles of writing fiction.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Devin
- 2018-02-10
Excellent lecture series for new writers
This lecture series, broken into digestible 40-minute lectures, is a fantastic starting point for prospective fiction writers hoping to improve their work. At the end of each lecture, there is even an activity or exercise recommended that will help to improve a relevant skill or make you think a little deeper about the subject.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Merrie
- 2023-12-03
Good information, well delivered
I've been writing dribs and drabs of fiction for most of my life and thought that I was getting the hang of it. These lectures have added immensely to my knowledge of what I should have done, and should do in future writing efforts. Clear and concise, the lessons give plenty of examples of what makes a good story. Instead of just reading a great book, I can now spot the masterful touches that make them classics.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- C.
- 2023-04-29
helpful
helped understand several things, good motivation, liked the exercises, liked the lecturer, better perspective of how to refine and push through
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Barry M
- 2022-07-30
easy and informative listen
An easy and informative listen. Nicely paced, interesting, and with numerous relevant examples and insights.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- William
- 2015-01-30
Good advice and sobering truths
What did you like best about this story?
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
292 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Madeleine
- 2015-11-19
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
189 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Frances
- 2015-05-19
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
107 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Casey
- 2015-02-11
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!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
101 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Sabine
- 2015-03-24
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
62 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jerusha N.
- 2015-03-21
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
49 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Kindle Customer
- 2014-12-11
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
47 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jim "The Impatient"
- 2015-05-06
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
38 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Tyee
- 2015-04-13
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
37 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- lattetown
- 2014-12-23
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
34 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Graldar
- 2023-02-05
honest and Just excellent
very good lecture. practical and very good explain. The two last chapters are particulary interesting.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Oursel Leopold
- 2019-03-12
Some excellent tips and breakdowns
This book encapsulates some of the best advice for fiction writers I have read yet. It has to be up the with King's On Writing, at least for me. I will come back to some of those lessons for sure.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!