How to Craft a Great Story: A Teach Yourself Guide

by Chris Sykes

What you need to know when you are ready to go beyond “how to write a novel” How to Craft a Great Story takes you step by step through the process of creating a compelling and coherent plot and structure. It covers such basics as the traditional story arcs and such advanced information as finding balance and marrying structure and form. Each chapter contains a diagnostic test, case studies, practical exercises and Aide Memoire boxes.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

288 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2013

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe this would have been helpful if it were one of the first books on writing I’ve read, but I’ve read a lot and I just felt like this didn’t teach me anything new at all. I ended up skimming most of it. Not helpful for me at all, but hopefully helpful for others!

[Anthony Stephenson · Rating 2 out of 5]

although the book was a nice introduction to fundamental concepts of writing, the analogues often became superfluous tangents and the writing at times seemed to rear off point

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to craft a great story is a brilliant resource for writers looking to add more pre-first draft planning to their writing repertoir. This approach to writing is all about laying down a map of the road before you start moving. This book sticks to the classical story structures, talking about the concepts of rising and falling action and about the three act and mythical structures. Its incorperation of writing exercises makes it a valuable resource for active learning. A great jumping in point for anyone who wants to explore planning plot structure as a part of writing.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me a rather long time to read, but it gave me some writing and storytelling insight. A nice resource.

[Margret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've learned from this book how to be created and motivated. I recommend it. It's amazing how much you can learn.

[Angela Misri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought-provoking read that made me consider all my motivations and forced me to look at my writing in a new light. I especially found the chapters on character motivation and plot ladders compelling enough to take my latest WIP and hold it up to Sykes' harsh light of truth. I suggest it for anyone who writes fiction especially those who are new to constructing novel-length stories.