“I find that most people know what a story is until they sit down to write one.” – Flannery O'Connor Beginning writers too often believe that plot, or character development, or some structural element is what's needed to get published. This book looks at what really makes fiction work: good storytelling. “A good writer is basically a storyteller,” said Isaac Bashevis Singer, winner of the Nobel Prize. However, basic storytelling techniques, despite their immense value to all writers, are seldom taught in writing courses or in “how to get published” books of advice. This slim book explores three key elements that fuel the magic of story – intriguing eccentricity, delightful details, and satisfying surprises. It will help writers in their efforts to craft better fiction (or nonfiction) and to get their best work published.