Comment Summaries
Resources for Writers - Learn the art of writing unforgettable literary fiction.

Characterization
Philosophy:
Writing in Scene: A Staple for Reader Engagement in Fiction
Lan Samantha Chang
Charles D'Ambrosio
Jonathan Dee
Tom Jenks
Fred Leebron
David Lynn
Michael Malone
Lee Martin
Rebecca McClanahan
Josh Neufeld / Sari Wilson
Michael Ray
Jim Shepard
Rob Spillman
Kirby Wilkins
Susan Yeagley / Kevin Nealon
What's New in Literary Fiction
Geoffrey Becker
Julia Glass
Lori Ostlund
Lydia Peelle
Andrew Porter
Julia Glass
Lori Ostlund
Lydia Peelle
Andrew Porter
SILF Audio Download MP3:
Illustrated Fiction 2000-2012
Workshop Advice
I. Choosing a Workshop
II. Making Experience Valuable
III. How to Critique a Manuscript
IV. Workshops and Literary Agents
V. Top-Ten Rules
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December 2, 2012
I like to start with dialogue. I do as much characterization and story development as I can using on
November 29, 2012
oh my god this made me cry in my 15 years i have never read anything more moving
November 27, 2012
Rob, Does it ever hurt to be so f---ing terminally hip? I mean you’re a male feminist and all and th
October 27, 2012
wow...this essay really hepled me a lot as i was still struggling with understanding the narrator an
August 28, 2012
My initial reaction, which is not advice but a general observation, is be careful of writing any sto
August 28, 2012
Hi WHC, Your essays are both a great guide, and source of inspiration. Addressing a wide range on sp
July 19, 2012
I enjoyed reading this great interview, Bill.
June 28, 2012
Absolutely agree. A very effective plan in an age where available resources don't seem to measure up
June 28, 2012
I agree that looking at the MFA courses they really can't offer me any help, I think there are some
June 8, 2012
I would have liked, perhaps, to see a good example of the scene description... I've noticed that thi
June 6, 2012
Good points, all. Honestly, the best thing I did for my fiction writing was quit my writer's group.
April 9, 2012
Thanks for your request. I've recently recommended Story in Literary Fiction: A Manual for Writers (
April 8, 2012
Sir, will you please tell me which books out of all the above mentioned books are appropriate to beg
March 31, 2012
It is rather degrading and disingenuous to insinuate that literary fiction is distinguished from "ge
Making the Right Choices,
by William H. Coles
February 29, 2012
this was a cool story very helpful
February 27, 2012
Good question. I do not know the answer but suggest you contact Rebeca McClanahan at her website: ht
February 27, 2012
How do you explain the title" Interstellar"to tie in with your very interesting story?
February 19, 2012
....:)
February 16, 2012
Thanks for your comment. Pleased the interview was useful. WHC
February 13, 2012
Thanks for question. At present, I teach only on the Internet (there is a workshop on site). That is
February 13, 2012
When next ws and price? Any in SF Bay Area? Thanks
January 19, 2012
Thanks for your comment. I can't bring myself to name names for fear of personal subjectivity contri
January 18, 2012
I agree with your statements and think that some of the writers you interview on this site are guilt
January 15, 2012
I have found "The Catcher in the Rye" extremely helpful. Namely, for voice. It showed me new ways of
November 21, 2011
Hey Tim. Thanks for comment. All he more meaningful to me coming from you with your background and s
November 21, 2011
Oops, I left something out there "to know when they are helpful..."
November 21, 2011
It's been a while since I visited but I found someone had clicked through from my site to yours, and
November 19, 2011
No answer is satisfactory. It depends on author's conceptualization and style. And there are always
November 19, 2011
I enjoyed the back story examples here. How do you suggest finding the proper balance throughout a w
November 10, 2011
Loved your story. When I was in hospital having my first baby, I had met an unmarried young lady who
November 6, 2011
gr8 craic not suitable for children!!! i want yer cheese crackers but over all i love it ps. I LOVE
November 2, 2011
I did not like this story it is hard for me to understand sorry....
November 1, 2011
Love the story, the mother love is so great.
October 31, 2011
i enjoyed. i do not knowenglish very good, but it was so attractive that i spent more time and went
October 24, 2011
Thanks for your comment. I've thought about it and regret that I haven't even come up with a memory
October 24, 2011
Can you lead me to an inspirational short story to motivate my soccer team? The story should relate
October 17, 2011
Many thanks. WHC
October 17, 2011
I 'happened' across this story just after reading a 'bibliography' a dear little 96-year old friend
October 17, 2011
one typo on page 3 in the 4th paragraph..waste should be waist. Touching story.
October 14, 2011
Thanks again. The comment has useful information and, with your permission, I'd like to leave it on
October 14, 2011
Thanks for getting in touch. And yes, please submit reviews and let me know when "Mastering Point of
October 14, 2011
Mastering Point of View, originally published by Story Press (2001), is coming out as an e-book. Wou
October 8, 2011
Thank you for your comment. Your thoughts mean a lot to me and I value the time and effort. Best reg
October 8, 2011
Like others, I happened upon this story quite by accident. Your story is beautiful, not at all flowe
October 5, 2011
this is wonderful story i really enjoyed it, it made me get the full concept about narrative essay.t
September 30, 2011
GRARL U DO NOT NO WE HAVE HOMEWARKE
September 25, 2011
There are lessons in this story. We do not need any "the end". Thank you!
September 22, 2011
Beautifully written! I disagree with those who demand "an ending." Love transcends the small details
Short Stories and more
September 21, 2011
I'm from a Big Town outside of Yazoo City, The capitol of Mississippi: Jackson, MS. I have been thro
September 14, 2011
Excellent interview. One of the best I've ever read.
September 11, 2011
thank you so much, i wrote my entire essay using this as a reference---Great Work Bud!
September 6, 2011
it is a great story
September 5, 2011
i really liked the story a lot
September 3, 2011
hi, wow lovely this really made a diference..
September 2, 2011
I had troble following the story, but I'm glad I read it.
September 2, 2011
I located this when looking for the story about the Passion Flower. I am so glad because I couldn't
August 31, 2011
Loved the story but disappointed in the ending. Come on, I know you can finish this off with some un
August 31, 2011
Great writing,quite a bit different from the gift.
August 31, 2011
I was searching for a concordace bible reference when I came across this story. I could not stop rea
August 31, 2011
i loved this stoy it just shows that no matter how ugly a child is you love the no matter what
August 31, 2011
this was very helpful x)
August 30, 2011
wow what a graet story, really enjoyed it though it would of been nice if her mother had come around
August 28, 2011
nice
August 28, 2011
You seem to share the frustration of a number of readers. Thanks for getting in touch and expressing
August 28, 2011
what happened with the rest of the story? way to leave us hanging. good story, but where is the rest
August 24, 2011
Thanks for getting in touch. And apologies for story ending. Others have wanted more to this story a
August 24, 2011
The story just ended with no ending. I think I must have missed something. At the end of the 3rd pag
August 24, 2011
This was and woderfull story. U have great talent.KEEP WRITING..........
August 24, 2011
Thanks for your interest. We have just begun adding illustrations to stories and catching up with al
August 24, 2011
I don't understand why the online version has pictures but the PDF one doesn't....
August 12, 2011
This is a very good story. I couldn't put it down before I finished it. Keep writing.
August 11, 2011
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story, so full of love and hope. I stumbled across it q
August 9, 2011
I loved this short story. I would have loved more. I think Mr. Coles style of writing makes all of u
August 3, 2011
As Ernest Hemingway said 'You have to beat the dead ones!
July 30, 2011
That was a heart felt story,it has inspired me not to give up and to have faith ...always trusting i
June 25, 2011
Agree. Well conceived comment well said. Thanks. WHC
June 25, 2011
Thank you, Kathryn. You are absolutely right and thanks for pointing it out. As a weak excuse, someh
June 25, 2011
I had dinner with Bob Butler once and sat through some of his craft lectures. I like him. I like his
June 24, 2011
I found this interesting interview while surfing the web and enjoyed it. It's the typos that did me
June 12, 2011
Thank you for this truly Human and Humane story. Human weaknes, Strength, Patience and Love are all
June 4, 2011
This was a very good story. I enjoyed it very much. It was a good read, and you are a good writer.
May 15, 2011
Thanks for comment. It is inappropriate, in my opinion, in serious writing (and in almost all forms
May 15, 2011
"shit" as example of a dialogue? I do not know how appropriate....
May 13, 2011
WOW! What a suberb story or human character!!! I will think of it everytime I see a baby and a perso
April 30, 2011
This was a wonderful story. You are a very good writer. I enjoyed the story very much.
April 26, 2011
Thank you for you essay. I am going to a workshop on humor in children's books. Your information hel
April 22, 2011
It soooooo good i like it
March 31, 2011
Dr. Coles, I don't question his method, just his claims. When I work I do pretty much the same thing
March 30, 2011
Thanks for your comment. It is very satisfying to know you enjoyed the story. WHC
March 30, 2011
Every aspect of that story worked beautifully for me. I was involved from the first word to the last
March 30, 2011
Hello Tim Chambers. Good to hear from you. Hope you are doing well. You're insight is accurate as al
March 29, 2011
Dr. Coles, I've enjoyed these interviews very much, but I wonder if you felt that Butler was talking
March 28, 2011
I sympathize with your problem. I don't know when, or if, it was on a bestseller list but Freddy and
March 28, 2011
This was interesting. As a consumer, I go to the bookstore, and try to find a book. I'm weary of rom
March 27, 2011
Thank you for your comment and the recommendation. Very much appreciated. WHC.
March 27, 2011
What a beautiful story! I don't usually like literary fiction (I'm all about fantasy), but this was
February 26, 2011
Your comments are accurate. 1) But is it ever the definite intention to write literary fiction that
February 26, 2011
I do not believe that setting out with the definite intention of writing literary fiction will neces
February 25, 2011
I'm not really sure I got anything out of this essay. I see a lot of unsourced, unvalidated criticis