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k80bowman's review
5.0
This book has completely changed the way I plan my books. Not only has it saved the book I'm currently working on, I've been able to go back and think about past failed books and figure out how to fix them.
gsatori's review
4.0
Nuts and bolts. The book here is a tool. It gives writers a blueprint for self editing ones work before submission.
Some people resist the idea of structure and critical assessment. They are so caught up in the romance of writing and the idea of art that they don't to admit the mundane blue collar aspects of craft.
STORY GRID is a great way of overcoming that perspective. It is a way to make your writing better and to help overcome some obstacles that may occur from page one to the ending.
It is perhaps the best book on writing I've read. Although, I might also suggest James Woods' HOW FICTION WORKS and ATTACK OF THE CUPOLA SPIDERS by Douglas Glover. And there are many others, but STORY GRID is the closest to creating an owners manual for your model of fiction.
Some people resist the idea of structure and critical assessment. They are so caught up in the romance of writing and the idea of art that they don't to admit the mundane blue collar aspects of craft.
STORY GRID is a great way of overcoming that perspective. It is a way to make your writing better and to help overcome some obstacles that may occur from page one to the ending.
It is perhaps the best book on writing I've read. Although, I might also suggest James Woods' HOW FICTION WORKS and ATTACK OF THE CUPOLA SPIDERS by Douglas Glover. And there are many others, but STORY GRID is the closest to creating an owners manual for your model of fiction.
tryslora's review
I am (self-admittedly) not good with writing advice books, but love to try them anyway. Unfortunately, this one did not work for me and I did not finish it.
sharrypdx's review
4.0
Want to learn how to write and edit like a pro? Read. This. Book. (Then practice what you've read)
rumbledethumps's review
2.0
While there is some good stuff in this book, ironically it could have really used an editor. He keeps telling us about this great tool he uses (the story grid), and then doesn’t actually get to it until page 289. Lots of meandering, but he also drops some wisdom along the way.
abigcoffeedragon's review
3.0
This is about 300+ pages of great information, but it is also a bit overwhelming. I see how this can be useful, and I am currently listening to the backlog of podcasts to try to get a better understanding, but this is like reading a course book without the teacher's lessons. The information is there, including one example, but not enough to fully grasp.
I could see this becoming a lecture series for students to try to delve into the inner workings of this process.
This does a great job of breaking down Silence of the Lambs, but I do not fully understand how to do this for my own works.
Again, a wealth of information, and it probably requires multiple reads to digest it all.
I could see this becoming a lecture series for students to try to delve into the inner workings of this process.
This does a great job of breaking down Silence of the Lambs, but I do not fully understand how to do this for my own works.
Again, a wealth of information, and it probably requires multiple reads to digest it all.
jtisreading's review
5.0
It is truly a remarkable well-written thoughtful analysis of what makes the story work and what makes a story not work. I read this large book in just a few days absorbing it and tactfully taking notes and annotating because it will be indispensable. This is such a helpful tool and reference for writers. I highly recommend it. As a writer, I am trying dutifully hard to find the combination that works for me as an outliner and a panster. If you write, this will become an invaluable tool. I think it would also be worth reading for many of my students as they work through literature.
revolita's review
5.0
The information was laid out in such a gorgeously actionable and formulaic way. For some reason, this explanation just clicked with me in a way other craft books hadn’t. It makes me excited for the dreaded editing phase, just to employ the technique.