The Story Workshop
(Or, How to Tell a Working Story Based on Aristotelian Principles)
“Every writer should learn these story principles—whether they use them or not, but I dare you not to.”
Why this talk?
Simply put: I help writers tell stories they can believe in.
Most of us are overcomplicating our craft, second-guessing ourselves, and wondering if what we have on the page actually works—but the secrets to writing a working story haven't changed in 2,300 years.
This talk will prove it, stripping away the noise and showing you Aristotle’s ancient dramatic principles specifically tailored for the modern novelist. We’ll look at the timeless principles in the stories you read and watch today to help you simplify your process, master the "why" behind your plot and characters, and write fiction that feels as solid as the stories you love and admire. Whether it’s your first or tenth book, it’s time to stop guessing and start building on a foundation that is observable in everything from Rocky to The Great Gatsby.
Key takeaways:
3 parts of a working plot
3 most common ways stories don’t work
4 ways to write true characters
10-question rubric to write your own working stories
“Aristotle for Novelists” copies are available upon request
Duration: 15 - 90 minutes
Selected interviews on the topic:
EveryLibrary.org | Banned Book Week Panel: From Ancient Wisdom to Future America
The Creative Penn w/ Joanna Penn: Aristotle for Novelists, and a Strategy for Selling More Books with Douglas Vigliotti
Write About Now w/ Jonathan Small: How Aristotle’s Rules Have Shaped Every Great Story Ever
The Writer Files w/ Kelton Reid: 14 Timeless Storytelling Principles with Author Douglas Vigliotti: Part One
The Writing Coach w/ Kevin T. Johns: Douglas Vigliotti on Aristotle for Novelists - The Writing Coach 213
Creative Principles w/ Brock Swinson: Ep591 - Douglas Vigliotti, Author of ‘Aristotle for Novelists’
The Profitable Writer w/ Kent Sanders: Timeless Principles on Storytelling from Aristotle | Doug Vigliotti