Mattias Lönnqvist's Reviews > The Art of the Short Story

I was considering to set this as DNF (Did Not Finish) since I couldn't find this book when I needed it (6 months ago) and instead had to settle with extracts from it, since it was course literature.

But, that wouldn't be fair. I use DNF for books I don't think is worth finishing, and I have actually ordered this book now, since it is back in print.

I found the excerpts that I read brilliant, and very inspiring. While this is a course book, giving you tools needed for writing (if you don't have them already) I think it's greatest strength is as motivation. I didn't learn much new from it (but I have read a bunch of books on writing before this) but it motivated me, inspired me, got me to write even those weeks when I felt like I was overloaded with work.

So, I recommend this to any aspiring writer, especially if you write in English. I also recommend this to any writer who wants to focus more on short stories or writers who "only" needs inspiration and/or motivation.

It is also a course book that you can actually read from start to end, just as enjoyment.