Plots and characters in the fiction of Henry James Book

The chapters on beginnings and endings were superb and very helpful. So many writers guides are catered to genre fiction and churning out the next bestseller - I appreciated Dibell's treatment of short story collections and literary works. She used extensive examples from books and movies that I have seen and liked (Lord of the Flies, Jane Eyre, and Star Wars), so that probably helped too - many of the other guides I have read cite examples of plotlines and character arcs that I am just not familiar with, and the references are lost on me.

A few of the middle chapters were too tedious for me, but they may be applicable later in the process, but it ended with a strong ending and how to craft the conclusion of your book that leaves readers satisfied... I've just read too many books that were so great until the last 50 pages...