The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers Episode 793: Aristotle for Novelists, And A Strategy For Selling More Books With Douglas Vigliotti Release Date: February 3, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 793 of The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers, host Joanna Penn engages in a profound discussion with Douglas Figliotti about leveraging Aristotle's timeless principles for modern novel writing and effective strategies for increasing book sales. The conversation delves into character creation, the essence of storytelling, the balance between commerce and art, and practical advice for authors navigating the dynamic landscape of book marketing.
Guest Profile: Douglas Figliotti
[15:23] Joanna Penn: "Douglas Figliotti is the author of four books, a poet, and podcaster. His latest book is Aristotle for Novelists: 14 Timeless Principles on the Art of Story. Welcome to the show, Doug."
[15:37] Douglas Figliotti: "Thank you so much for having me. It's a pleasure to be here."
Douglas shares his journey from a career in sales to becoming a multifaceted writer and artist. His transition highlights the intersection of creativity and business acumen, setting the stage for a rich exploration of storytelling and marketing strategies.
Aristotle’s Influence on Modern Storytelling
Douglas delves into why Aristotle remains a pivotal figure in storytelling:
[17:44] Douglas Figliotti: "Aristotle was a philosopher and a polymath who wrote over 200 works spanning politics, economics, poetics, and more. His ideas have stood the test of time, influencing modern storytelling across various mediums."
He emphasizes Aristotle's Poetics as a foundational text, only partially surviving through history but still profoundly relevant in understanding narrative structures today.
[19:54] Douglas Figliotti: "Storytelling began as a way for humans to imitate and learn how to live. According to Aristotle, there are principles in story that are intrinsically linked to human nature."
Creating Resonant Characters
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on character development, guided by Aristotle's principles:
[25:36] Douglas Figliotti: "According to Aristotle, characters should embody four key elements: goodness, appropriateness, relatability, and consistency. These elements ensure that characters are true to themselves, making choices that resonate with readers."
- Goodness: Characters make morally sound choices.
- Appropriateness: Actions are true to the character’s nature.
- Relatability: Imperfections make characters human and relatable.
- Consistency: Characters maintain their traits and motivations throughout the story.
Douglas elucidates, [25:54]: "True characters to Aristotle are not about being factually accurate but staying true to who they are within the story."
Story vs. Writing: Prioritizing Narrative Over Style
The conversation distinguishes between story and writing, advocating for a focus on narrative principles over stylistic intricacies:
[31:21] Douglas Figliotti: "Story is governed by principles, whereas writing is governed by style. Story is why readers come, and writing is why they stay."
Douglas asserts that understanding and implementing foundational storytelling principles is paramount. He encourages writers to prioritize compelling narratives over perfect prose, aligning with Aristotle’s emphasis on story structure.
Plot Development: Complications and Resolutions
Douglas discusses the critical elements of plot, highlighting Aristotle’s advice on avoiding deus ex machina:
[34:18] Douglas Figliotti: "Avoid deus ex machina—resolving plot issues with external, implausible elements. Solutions should arise organically from the story’s existing framework."
He underscores the importance of weaving complications that are believable and ensuring resolutions stem logically from the narrative, maintaining cohesion and believability.
[38:13] Douglas Figliotti: "The solution to a plot problem should come from within the story itself, ensuring that resolutions are earned and satisfying."
Balancing Craft and Marketing: Selling More Books
Transitioning to the business side, Douglas merges his sales expertise with his creative endeavors to offer actionable marketing strategies:
[39:10] Douglas Figliotti: "Helping people get what they already want is the essence of effective sales. It's about finding your audience and providing value, not forcing them to buy something they don't need."
He introduces a Value Framework for authors, consisting of:
- Time: Offering products or services that save time.
- Ease: Simplifying the decision-making process for readers.
- Status: Enhancing the reader's status or reputation.
- Money: Providing financial benefits, whether through saving or earning.
[43:37] Douglas Figliotti: "Developing a personal connection with your readers is crucial, especially in a saturated market boosted by AI. Authenticity and trust can set you apart."
Douglas emphasizes establishing a personal brand and engaging directly with readers through platforms like podcasts and blogs to build trust and loyalty, essential for consistent book sales.
Effective Podcast Pitching Tips
Douglas shares his insights on successfully pitching authors to podcasts:
[49:04] Douglas Figliotti: "Get to the point. Make your pitch as brief and clear as possible. Respect the host's time by being concise and highlighting the mutual benefits."
He recommends keeping pitch emails short, focused, and relevant, ensuring they are easily digestible and directly address why the author would be a valuable guest for the podcast.
Conclusion and Future Episodes
Joanna Penn wraps up the episode by thanking Douglas and teasing future content:
[56:45] Douglas Figliotti: "If you'd like to connect, you can find me at douglasvigliotti.com, booksformen.org, and Aristotlefornovelists.com."
[56:47] Joanna Penn: "Next week, I have another Douglas on the show, Douglas Smith, who will discuss writing and selling short stories."
Key Takeaways
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Aristotelian Principles: Utilize Aristotle’s timeless storytelling principles—goodness, appropriateness, relatability, and consistency—to create compelling characters and cohesive plots.
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Story Over Writing: Focus on building a strong narrative foundation before honing your writing style.
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Plot Integrity: Ensure that plot resolutions arise organically from the story’s established framework to maintain believability.
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Value-Driven Marketing: Implement a value framework (time, ease, status, money) to align your marketing strategies with what readers inherently desire.
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Authentic Engagement: Build personal connections with your audience through transparent and authentic interactions to foster trust and enhance book sales.
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Concise Pitching: When pitching to podcasts or other platforms, prioritize brevity and clarity to increase the likelihood of your pitch being accepted.
Notable Quotes
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Douglas Figliotti [25:36]: "True characters to Aristotle are not about being factually accurate but staying true to who they are within the story."
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Douglas Figliotti [31:21]: "Story is governed by principles, whereas writing is governed by style. Story is why readers come, and writing is why they stay."
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Douglas Figliotti [38:13]: "The solution to a plot problem should come from within the story itself, ensuring that resolutions are earned and satisfying."
-
Douglas Figliotti [43:37]: "Developing a personal connection with your readers is crucial, especially in a saturated market boosted by AI. Authenticity and trust can set you apart."
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Douglas Figliotti [49:04]: "Get to the point. Make your pitch as brief and clear as possible. Respect the host's time by being concise and highlighting the mutual benefits."
Final Thoughts
This episode offers a blend of classical storytelling wisdom and modern marketing strategies, providing authors with a comprehensive guide to crafting resonant narratives and effectively reaching their audience. Douglas Figliotti's insights bridge the gap between creative writing and business acumen, emphasizing that successful authorship today requires both a deep understanding of story principles and strategic marketing prowess.
For those looking to enhance their writing craft and navigate the complexities of book sales, this episode serves as an invaluable resource, reinforcing the enduring relevance of Aristotle's teachings in the contemporary literary landscape.
Resources Mentioned:
- Douglas Figliotti’s Book: Aristotle for Novelists: 14 Timeless Principles on the Art of Story
- Douglas Figliotti’s Websites:
Next Episode Preview: Joanna Penn will host Douglas Smith to discuss writing and selling short stories, including structuring collections and monetizing short fiction.
Connect with Joanna Penn:
- Website: thecreativepenn.com
- Email: joanna@thecreativepenn.com
- Social Media: Find Joanna on Facebook, Instagram, and X (@TheCreativePen)
Happy Writing!