Story Structure

[twinwillowsfarm]

After reading the Storyfix blog for the last few months, I decided to purchase the new e-book by Larry Brooks, Story Structure Demystified. A lot of this is repeat material from the blog, but I like that it's all together and easier to access.

I almost stopped reading Larry's blog after a couple of articles because he is, well, quite blunt. His style of teaching is not the hand holding, back patting, cheerleading type. It's much more "in your face" than is comfortable sometimes. However, like a good critique, I find this more useful for the purpose of improving my writing. I kept reading and now have his book.

Here's the most important thing I learned from my reading. I started my story in the wrong place! I had an honest-to-goodness jaw dropping moment when I went though this e-book and it was suddenly, glaringly obvious. The jaw dropping moment was immediately followed by a forehead slapping moment.

My background is drafting and design engineering so I think along lines and see patterns in my sleep. I love the way Larry lays out the "blueprint" for good story telling. He also gives great examples that help me see what he is talking about. We watched a movie this morning on TV (very rare for me, but we were visiting our son at college and he had it on) and I sat there mentally naming the "points" of the story as they unfolded. It's uncanny.

My granddad had the natural gift of storytelling. He could tell a "big windy" that would have all us kids on the edge of the couch, hands clasped in front of us, leaning forward and ready to laugh, jump or groan depending on how it ended. As far as I know, Granddad never had anyone explain story structure to him. He just "knew" what made a story good telling, at least, he "knew" after a lifetime of practice.

I hope that I can learn from Larry, from Granddad, and from others to create the kinds of stories that have people hanging on the next page, the next sentence and even the next word. Whatever it takes to get there... I'm in!

I've purchased and read at least ten books since last spring on writing and I've found nothing yet that explains story structure like this e-book. If you're a newbie, like me, and you want to learn more about how to put your story together, I recommend this e-book. It's energized my creativity and it is giving me more confidence in what I'm writing. I think it will greatly decrease the number of re-writes I'll need to do as well. I like that! Anything that saves time by reducing errors is a win-win for me.

I'm not affiliated with Storyfix.com in any way. Just a happy customer. I thought I'd share my findings with others who may benefit as well.

[Zanzibar]

Thanks for sharing, Pegg. I'm going to run over and see what he's all about. I haven't heard of him before.

Have a great week!

[Zanzibar]

Hey, I think he used your endorsement on his post! Way to go, Pegg!

[twinwillowsfarm]

OMGosh! He did! I'm almost famous. I sent him the link after I posted it. He thanked me for my comments and said he hopes he's toned down being so "in your face" since he started the blog in July. Hey, I just calls 'em like I sees 'em.

I've learned more from crits here in CW that have been more more "in your face" about my writing too. Blunt works with me, I get it, and it motivates me to do better. The facts ma'am, just the facts.

[lynnmosher]

I just checked. He's on Twitter... @storyfix