This book shows the reader how to take timeless storytelling structures and make them immediate, now, for fiction that's universal in how it speaks to the reader's heart and contemporary in detail and impact.
Each chapter includes brief excerpts and descriptions of fiction from many times, many genres - myth and fairy tale, genre and mainstream fiction, film plots of all types, short story and novel.
Find 20 fundamental plots that recur through all fiction - with analysis and examples - that outline benefits and warnings, for writers to adapt and elaborate in their own fiction. Ronald B. Tobias has spent his career as a writer moving from genre to genre, first as a short story writer, then as an author of fiction and nonfiction books and finally as a writer and producer of documentaries for public television. He is currently a professor in the Department of Media and Theatre Arts at Montana State University and the author of The Insider's Guide to Writing for Screen and Television. He lives in Bozeman, Montana.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
More than a how-to....:
I was very pleased to find that this "how-to" guide is actually a very well written introduction to and analysis of the major plots found in all storytelling media in our culture.
The writing is crisp, enjoyable, accessible, yet also deep with critical insights valuable to any writer or wannabe.
I've already recommended it to several friends without hesitation! Read, learn, apply, enjoy!
Anatomy of a novel:
There is a theory that states that every story ever told fits into one (or more) of a small number of plot structures. These "master plots" are usually something like the quest, love, rivalry, etc. I'm still not entirely convinced that this theory is true. However, looking through the 20 master plots listed in this book, I will admit that I find it difficult to think of a story that doesn't fit into one or more of these categories. "20 Master Plots" is not so much a writing manual, as the sort of book... more info
Thank you thank you thank you, Tobias:
I must thank the universe and Tobias for this incredibly clear and helpful book. I am a published novelist, and have turned to this book many times in order to improve and better organize my stories. Tobias is so right when he speaks of the importance in connecting events, the cause and effect spark that happens from scene to scene in a tight plot, and many helful reminders on how to ignite the fire that brings a good story its drama. People who believe that plots naturally write themselves may have their... more info
Helpful:
This is a helpful book for the writer to own. However, imagination and courage is something that can not be learnt. But if you already have these attributes than this is a book is one you that you should read.
Privacy policy: we don't collect information
about visitors except for the standard technical server logs. We don't send unsolicited emails. We don't
sell the information that we don't collect about you to anyone. When you follow
links to other sites, their privacy policies apply. Thanks for visiting!
