"This is the best of its type ever written. Every aspiring fiction writer should have it on his/her shelf and consult it often."--Arnold Talentino, State University of New York at Cortland"A remarkable work--very insightful and honest."--Brian J. Benson, North Carolina A & T University

• Part 1 The Aim of Art: Fictional Truth and Significant Detail ; Fictional Truth ; Significant Detail ; Part 2 The Elements of the Short Story and Advice on Technique: We are Our Desires: Character ; The Eye of the Story: Point of View ; The 'Why' Behind the Power of PLot: Shaping the Short Story ; The Lesser Angels of Fiction: Setting and Time ; The Connectedness of All LIving Things: Metaphy ; The Writer's Signiture: Voice ; Part 3 Notes of the Fictional Process- Write a Short Story: Notes on the Fictional Process ; Write a Short Story! ; Works Consulted ; Index