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What makes a good story or a screenplay great? The vast majority of writers begin the storytelling process with only a partial understanding where to begin. Some labor their entire lives without ever learning that successful stories are as dependent upon good engineering as they are artistry. But the truth is, unless you are master of the form, function and criteria of successful storytelling, sitting down and pounding out a first draft without planning is an ineffective way to begin. Story Engineering starts with the criteria and the architecture of storytelling, the engineering and design of a story--and uses it as the basis for narrative. The greatest potential of any story is found in the way six specific aspects of storytelling combine and empower each other on the page. When rendered artfully, they become a sum in excess of their parts. You'll learn to wrap your head around the big pictures of storytelling at a professional level through a new approach that shows how to combine these six core competencies which include: * Four elemental competencies of concept, character, theme, and story structure (plot) * Two executional competencies of scene construction and writing voice The true magic of storytelling happens when these six core competencies work together in perfect harmony. And the best part? Anyone can do it!… (more)
User reviews
Larry lays done the right
I love the book (especially the music comparisons) and I see "Story Engineering" as a great tool box for writer's. The tips will help you fix your story. A wealth of valuable information is being shared and you will feel as if you're sitting under a waterfall. Once you come up for air, you will begin to write your story, your dream with passion and with understanding more successfully.
Not so with Larry Brooks. There are so many analogies in this book that you could make a drinking game out of it. Take a shot for every new metaphor, and you'll be hammered by the end of chapter 3. This is the mark of a great teacher. If you don't "get it" by the time you finish this book, you're brain damaged.
It is a MUST BUY, MUST READ, MUST HAVE for every writer, no matter whether you are a pantser or plotter. It will change your writing life, alter the way you see story (in books, movies, TV, or plays) forever. You can never got back to NOT understanding it because in these 278 pages Brooks lays out the core foundation of good story, without which you don't have a prayer of getting published (unless your Tarantino and sold your soul to the devil).
The book covers (as the title implies) the 6 core competencies. They are:
Concept
Character
Theme
Structure
Scene Execution
Writing Voice
Now I think we all intuitively understand at least SOME of these things on a gut level. Some better than others. We all have different natural strengths. But what this book will do for you is illuminate the dark corners and show you, not only where the weak spots ARE, but how to fix them.
I cannot say enough positive things about this book. Brooks' conception of story structure (which I initially read in a series of posts on Storyfix, then later in a more detailed ebook) literally changed my writing life. I used to have stellar beginnings and kick ass endings and schlumpy middles. I used to refer to it as The Dreaded Valley of the Shadow of the Middle because I was lost. My friends, now I am found. These concepts lit the way so thoroughly that the section of the book I once dreaded now I LOOK FORWARD TO.
Every section of Story Engineering has wisdom to impart. It isn't the kind of inspirational craft book you pick up and breeze through in a day or two. It is, or should be, a slow read, one where you take your time reading through and really think over the content, applying it to your work. Then you'll want to read it again. You'll want your sticky tabs, highlighter, and post it notes handy when you read it. Mine copy is starting to look like a porcupine. But hey, I can attest, the binding is good!
I'll stop waxing poetic here and just end with this: BUY THIS BOOK TODAY.
The book is broken up into sections for each of the story competencies. The Concept section is especially
The Character section is phenomenal. It improved my characters in my WIP as I read. I found where my hero's arc was lacking. Even more so for my villain. The idea that people are driven by resentment struck me. It laid a clear path for character development for my antagonist. Also helped my structure -- not too much backstory in Part 1!
The Structure section could have been old hat, as I've read his ebook and been a regular reader of his blog for over a year. But it had so much more. Details on foreshadowing, on stakes, on all of it. It wasn't a rerun. For many, this will be the newest part, and he takes time to explain all of it.
I couldn't wait to get to the section on Scene, because I'm in revision right now, and I felt I really needed that section. I gained clarity on the idea of mission and pacing for a scene. Characterization can be a secondary mission for a scene, but not the primary. I'm now able to identify scenes that have no purpose but "characterization" and get them some purpose or send them packing! (Although I still wonder if foreshadowing counts as moving the story forward enough to be considered a mission in itself.) The revelation of the cut-and-thrust technique is phenomenal. I now aim to end as many scenes as possible this way, and I'm using the scene checklist for every scene!
The section on Writing Voice was comforting and perhaps the least new. It's more of a message of 'don't sweat it,' similar to the message from his blog. 'Less is more' got the message across well and is easy way to remember it.
The Beat Sheet section was a helpful review of that wonderful tool, less new since I learned it first at his blog. I have a beat sheet for my WIP, but I was glad to be reminded that I can compare it to a similar published example to help me figure out what is missing.
Overall, this book reads like a workbook, with such practical advice and tools, it will be reread by many readers, I'm sure.
So this book is not without it's flaws, but I still rate it a solid 5. Huh?
Like a plane out of clouds, when the initial burst of waffle dissipates and Brooks get's down to explaining, in detail, his concepts, this book is very very good. It works for me, cos I like to have plans and structures before I can put my mind to something.
I've already made my own checklists and cheat cards based on the information Brooks has in this book. The chapters on story structure alone are worth the price. I got so wrapped up in those I'll have to go back and review the character traits.
Which brings me to thee other flaw that made this a far more difficult read than it should be. The concepts in the first half of the book constantly refer to and link to concepts in the later structure part of the book. It would have made more sense IMHO to put the structure first, so the concepts of character could have been slotted in far easier. Well, I thougth so anywayy :->
Because of the difficult writing style early on, I'm not sure I'd recommend it to people who are made keen on jumping in straight away and starting their grand work. Perhaps read something like K.M. Weiland's Outlining Your Novel first, get yourself off and running first, then double back to this one. I fond that grounding benefited me.
Anyway, I took a lot out of this book, and if I ever am able to write my own novel one day, I think it is this book to which I will owe the most to.
Mr. Brooks appeared to spin his wheels in the initial chapters of This how to book. If you are reading his book, then I think you have the buy-in your story needs to be engineered. I feel he repeated himself several times, but once he got going, his advice was very helpful. He made his case as he
He lays out the case well that you need a strong structure for any story. In that he was through. He described well the 4 part structure of story- the opening, the first plot turn, the climax, etc.
Like a lawyer trying a case, he explains why the story must go that way and why the six competencies are vital. He doesn’t convict non plotters, though. He just warns them to check and make sure you have all the things checked off (and yes he has a checklist). He also warns them that they are dooming themselves to multiple drafts.
He gives his argument that you should outline before writing. That you will need little revision if you do so. It is a strong one.
There are many amateur writers. Why are they not professional? I suspect that Mr. Brooks is right. Agents and publishers are looking for those components he teaches us in that book. And that the famous writers have them.
That said, this book was well worth the price and the time. That said, I will point out the same thing a few other reviewers have: lots of repetition, most of which I did not actually mind (repeating things for first timers is not a bad thing, and arguably not a bad thing for folks who have more experience); lots of analogies, some weaker than other, which I could take or leave, but didn't particularly bother me; and lots of "What I'm about to tell you, soon, is very important. Really important. Life changing. The thing I am going to write, that you will read, any second now, is so important. Right... about... wait for it..." that makes up 15% of the book, and which I definitely would have not missed.