Simple Stories by a Simple Man

Quote:

“Contemporary fiction is about people who want something and don’t know how to get it or are prevented—by internal or external forces—from finding it”

Plot:

Rick explains all the components of a short story in excellent detail. He makes sure to emphasize that he can’t tell you a way to write a successful short story as each story and writer will have to find their own path. But he provides excellent personal examples of what he and other authors have found to work so you can try them all and find what works for you.

Writing:

Rick DeMarinis has written novels as well as short stories, he has also been an english professor and his writing throughout this book, whether it be the non-fiction explanations or the fiction examples are excellently written throughout. Reading this book on how to write has made me want to read his other writing.

Recommendation:

This book is an absolute must read if you are a novice when it comes to writing short stories like me. It felt like a thriller with how fast I was turning the pages. I didn’t want to put it down from start to finish and was a bit sad when I had finished it. Rick DeMarinis is an artist, each of his provided short stories examples to show a point or an idea was just perfection and made me understand so much quicker then just explanation would have. That said if you are an experienced writer I’m sure this book will seem very high level or basic, but I bet even then there will be some helpful refreshers or topics you hadn’t considered. At the very list there are some great short story recommendations that are all must reads as well. There is something for everyone in this book, provided you have an interest in writing, which I assume you do if you consider picking it up.

Score: