The Art of the Tale

Outline

The Art of the Tale (2002) explores the principles that make stories engaging, memorable, and emotionally meaningful. It discusses character, conflict, structure, setting, point of view, and revision while showing how disciplined craftsmanship can transform an initial concept into a compelling narrative.

• Engaging, memorable stories rest on a small set of principles that can be learned and practised.
• Character, conflict, structure, setting, and point of view are the core elements of a story.
• Revision is part of the craft, not an afterthought, and it sharpens a story.
• Disciplined craftsmanship can turn a rough initial idea into a compelling narrative.
• Stories can build trust, communicate vision, and make a message hard to forget.

Steven James and Tom Morrisey are American authors with experience in fiction, teaching, editing, and storytelling. James is known for novels and writing instruction, while Morrisey has worked as an author and editor and has drawn on a wide range of experiences to enrich his narrative work.