In "The Craft of Fiction," Percy discusses various aspects of the novel as a literary form. He explores elements such as plot, characters, narrative voice, and pattern, offering insights into the art and technique of writing fiction. Percy uses examples from classic and contemporary literature to illustrate his points, drawing on a wide range of novels to support his observations.

One of the notable ideas in the book is Forster's distinction between "flat" and "round" characters and "story" and "plot." He suggests that well-developed characters are crucial for a novel's success and that a plot should be driven by the characters' internal conflicts rather than external events.

"Percy's "The Craft of Fiction" is considered a classic work on literary criticism and is widely studied in literature courses. It provides valuable perspectives on the mechanics of storytelling and has influenced many aspiring writers in understanding the nuances of crafting a compelling narrative.