Comment Summaries

I like to start with dialogue. I do as much characterization and story development as I can using on

oh my god this made me cry in my 15 years i have never read anything more moving

Rob, Does it ever hurt to be so f---ing terminally hip? I mean you’re a male feminist and all and th

wow...this essay really hepled me a lot as i was still struggling with understanding the narrator an

My initial reaction, which is not advice but a general observation, is be careful of writing any sto

Hi WHC, Your essays are both a great guide, and source of inspiration. Addressing a wide range on sp

I enjoyed reading this great interview, Bill.

Absolutely agree. A very effective plan in an age where available resources don't seem to measure up

I agree that looking at the MFA courses they really can't offer me any help, I think there are some

I would have liked, perhaps, to see a good example of the scene description... I've noticed that thi

Good points, all. Honestly, the best thing I did for my fiction writing was quit my writer's group.

Thanks for your request. I've recently recommended Story in Literary Fiction: A Manual for Writers (

Sir, will you please tell me which books out of all the above mentioned books are appropriate to beg

It is rather degrading and disingenuous to insinuate that literary fiction is distinguished from "ge

this was a cool story very helpful

Good question. I do not know the answer but suggest you contact Rebeca McClanahan at her website: ht

How do you explain the title" Interstellar"to tie in with your very interesting story?

....:)

Thanks for your comment. Pleased the interview was useful. WHC

Thanks for question. At present, I teach only on the Internet (there is a workshop on site). That is

When next ws and price? Any in SF Bay Area? Thanks

Thanks for your comment. I can't bring myself to name names for fear of personal subjectivity contri

I agree with your statements and think that some of the writers you interview on this site are guilt

I have found "The Catcher in the Rye" extremely helpful. Namely, for voice. It showed me new ways of

Hey Tim. Thanks for comment. All he more meaningful to me coming from you with your background and s

Oops, I left something out there "to know when they are helpful..."

It's been a while since I visited but I found someone had clicked through from my site to yours, and

No answer is satisfactory. It depends on author's conceptualization and style. And there are always

I enjoyed the back story examples here. How do you suggest finding the proper balance throughout a w

Loved your story. When I was in hospital having my first baby, I had met an unmarried young lady who

gr8 craic not suitable for children!!! i want yer cheese crackers but over all i love it ps. I LOVE

I did not like this story it is hard for me to understand sorry....

Love the story, the mother love is so great.

i enjoyed. i do not knowenglish very good, but it was so attractive that i spent more time and went

Thanks for your comment. I've thought about it and regret that I haven't even come up with a memory

Can you lead me to an inspirational short story to motivate my soccer team? The story should relate

Many thanks. WHC

I 'happened' across this story just after reading a 'bibliography' a dear little 96-year old friend

one typo on page 3 in the 4th paragraph..waste should be waist. Touching story.

Thanks again. The comment has useful information and, with your permission, I'd like to leave it on

Thanks for getting in touch. And yes, please submit reviews and let me know when "Mastering Point of

Mastering Point of View, originally published by Story Press (2001), is coming out as an e-book. Wou

Thank you for your comment. Your thoughts mean a lot to me and I value the time and effort. Best reg

Like others, I happened upon this story quite by accident. Your story is beautiful, not at all flowe

this is wonderful story i really enjoyed it, it made me get the full concept about narrative essay.t

GRARL U DO NOT NO WE HAVE HOMEWARKE

There are lessons in this story. We do not need any "the end". Thank you!

Beautifully written! I disagree with those who demand "an ending." Love transcends the small details

I'm from a Big Town outside of Yazoo City, The capitol of Mississippi: Jackson, MS. I have been thro

Excellent interview. One of the best I've ever read.

thank you so much, i wrote my entire essay using this as a reference---Great Work Bud!

it is a great story

i really liked the story a lot

hi, wow lovely this really made a diference..

I had troble following the story, but I'm glad I read it.

I located this when looking for the story about the Passion Flower. I am so glad because I couldn't

Loved the story but disappointed in the ending. Come on, I know you can finish this off with some un

Great writing,quite a bit different from the gift.

I was searching for a concordace bible reference when I came across this story. I could not stop rea

i loved this stoy it just shows that no matter how ugly a child is you love the no matter what

this was very helpful x)

wow what a graet story, really enjoyed it though it would of been nice if her mother had come around

nice

You seem to share the frustration of a number of readers. Thanks for getting in touch and expressing

what happened with the rest of the story? way to leave us hanging. good story, but where is the rest

Thanks for getting in touch. And apologies for story ending. Others have wanted more to this story a

The story just ended with no ending. I think I must have missed something. At the end of the 3rd pag

This was and woderfull story. U have great talent.KEEP WRITING..........

Thanks for your interest. We have just begun adding illustrations to stories and catching up with al

I don't understand why the online version has pictures but the PDF one doesn't....

This is a very good story. I couldn't put it down before I finished it. Keep writing.

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story, so full of love and hope. I stumbled across it q

I loved this short story. I would have loved more. I think Mr. Coles style of writing makes all of u

As Ernest Hemingway said 'You have to beat the dead ones!

That was a heart felt story,it has inspired me not to give up and to have faith ...always trusting i

Agree. Well conceived comment well said. Thanks. WHC

Thank you, Kathryn. You are absolutely right and thanks for pointing it out. As a weak excuse, someh

I had dinner with Bob Butler once and sat through some of his craft lectures. I like him. I like his

I found this interesting interview while surfing the web and enjoyed it. It's the typos that did me

Thank you for this truly Human and Humane story. Human weaknes, Strength, Patience and Love are all

This was a very good story. I enjoyed it very much. It was a good read, and you are a good writer.

Thanks for comment. It is inappropriate, in my opinion, in serious writing (and in almost all forms

"shit" as example of a dialogue? I do not know how appropriate....

WOW! What a suberb story or human character!!! I will think of it everytime I see a baby and a perso

This was a wonderful story. You are a very good writer. I enjoyed the story very much.

Thank you for you essay. I am going to a workshop on humor in children's books. Your information hel

It soooooo good i like it

Dr. Coles, I don't question his method, just his claims. When I work I do pretty much the same thing

Thanks for your comment. It is very satisfying to know you enjoyed the story. WHC

Every aspect of that story worked beautifully for me. I was involved from the first word to the last

Hello Tim Chambers. Good to hear from you. Hope you are doing well. You're insight is accurate as al

Dr. Coles, I've enjoyed these interviews very much, but I wonder if you felt that Butler was talking

I sympathize with your problem. I don't know when, or if, it was on a bestseller list but Freddy and

This was interesting. As a consumer, I go to the bookstore, and try to find a book. I'm weary of rom

Thank you for your comment and the recommendation. Very much appreciated. WHC.

What a beautiful story! I don't usually like literary fiction (I'm all about fantasy), but this was

Your comments are accurate. 1) But is it ever the definite intention to write literary fiction that

I do not believe that setting out with the definite intention of writing literary fiction will neces

I'm not really sure I got anything out of this essay. I see a lot of unsourced, unvalidated criticis