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The Plot Machine: Design Better Stories Faster
There are a lot of books on story structure, but only The Plot Machine presents a step-by-step guide to designing a story. In clear precise language, this guide discusses the various types of stories we tell, their specific parts, and how they are assembled. Say good-bye to staring at the blank page waiting for lightning to strike. Just put a few coins in the Plot Machine and design better stories faster.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2015
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239 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 28, 2025
This book would not, I think, work very well as an introduction to the subject of story structure. It is however a very useful, and on occasion excellent, complement to other books on the subject. Formidably concise and without useless examples that often ruin this type of books, Kutzera reformulates thoughts and ideas from other books on plot, sometimes, though not always, more distinctly and articulate than the books he borrows from, and he then combines these familiar concepts in innovative and clarifying ways as he lays out the steps of the design process of a working plot. I found it especially helpful in the part on making connections between different structural elements and joining them into sequences, where I also think the book actually adds something new to the subject.
February 4, 2019
Some good and solid advice. The author makes you examine how you set up your story. You should construct the plot first in your head, organizing the big parts and then writing it.
May 18, 2017
Some of the advice seems misguided. ("Conveying such tedious information" as "the political history of a fantasy realm" in a prologue? Sounds like a good way to make a reader shut the book and buy something else.)
The rest of the advice is vague. He gives lists of ideas for plot points, etc. but they're not from actual stories. Okay for getting a few ideas, but it doesn't let you see story structure in action.
I especially don't recommend the audio version. The author's voice is half a step above a text-to-speech robot.
The rest of the advice is vague. He gives lists of ideas for plot points, etc. but they're not from actual stories. Okay for getting a few ideas, but it doesn't let you see story structure in action.
I especially don't recommend the audio version. The author's voice is half a step above a text-to-speech robot.
October 18, 2018
Ooh. I like this. I'm not usually a big fan of non-fiction and especially not when its main goal appears to be to tell me what to do, but The Plot Machine makes a lot of interesting points and there's some really useful information in there that my brain applied to my current work in progress almost immediately. It's almost National Novel Writing Month and I intend to participate, but I was a bit stuck on the plot of my story. Not anymore, thanks to this book! Every writer can just pick out the tips most useful to him or her, but overall, I do think this presents a solid framework for an interesting plot, exploring different styles and genres along the way and how this framework would apply to them. I'm very glad I was tipped off to get this book!
March 5, 2023
See my review here
September 11, 2018
Vague and counter productive advice.
Even as an experienced writer, I was struggling to make sense of some of the things the author was telling me. It seems like the author didn't know what they wanted to focus on for methodology for plot creation and outlining. For a fresh from the school author, this could contain good nuggets. My problem was it went through the very basis of outlining and plot farming versus giving me relevant information. I was sorely disappointed. I was hoping to find something slightly more instructive that what I've already learned in high school in my creative writing elective.
Even as an experienced writer, I was struggling to make sense of some of the things the author was telling me. It seems like the author didn't know what they wanted to focus on for methodology for plot creation and outlining. For a fresh from the school author, this could contain good nuggets. My problem was it went through the very basis of outlining and plot farming versus giving me relevant information. I was sorely disappointed. I was hoping to find something slightly more instructive that what I've already learned in high school in my creative writing elective.
June 2, 2023
The Polt Machine by Dale Kutzera provides excellent advice on how to put all the pieces of a story together. Many people use the traditional three ACT framework to tell their stories and they go about developing the plot in a linear fashion. Dale demonstrates that it can be better to start with the second act where the characters set out on their endeavor in an attempt to reach their goal and then follow on with ACT III where the goal is reached. Now that you know how everything turns out in the end, it will be easier to develop ACT I since you know what elements need to be present in their current situation to support the changes the characters will go through in the following acts.
Dale does fit the usual plot elements into each of the ACTS and he does provide good examples of what types of things would fit each of the elements. He then takes it up a notch by taking various types of stories such as a Love Story, A Crime Story, A Personal Goal/ Achievement Story, A Treasure Hunt and a Slay the Dragon Threat Story and describes how the various plot elements would fit into each of these scenarios. Some types of stories will emphasize a particular plot element while some elements may be missing.
For someone who is not a highly published/ accomplished author, this book provides excellent advice and will help you get going on developing your story. While not related to the plot, he also offers some information on writing productivity and marketing at the end.
Dale does fit the usual plot elements into each of the ACTS and he does provide good examples of what types of things would fit each of the elements. He then takes it up a notch by taking various types of stories such as a Love Story, A Crime Story, A Personal Goal/ Achievement Story, A Treasure Hunt and a Slay the Dragon Threat Story and describes how the various plot elements would fit into each of these scenarios. Some types of stories will emphasize a particular plot element while some elements may be missing.
For someone who is not a highly published/ accomplished author, this book provides excellent advice and will help you get going on developing your story. While not related to the plot, he also offers some information on writing productivity and marketing at the end.
December 5, 2016
Dale Kutzera's The Plot Machine promises 'a step-by-step guide to designing a story'. He takes different elements of story such as goals, desires, flaws, themes, endeavor, hero, obstacles and reversals and the classic three act, hero's journey and shows how to put them together.
Being familiar with the classic 'hero's journey' (Joseph Campbell) presented by a plethora of craft books (K M Wieland, 'Save the Cat', etc), at first I didn't find anything particularly new. However, I did appreciate a more modular approach (rather than a linear at the 12.5% mark x should happen approach) and the range of ideas of different types of goals, desires, flaws, endeavors, reversals, failures etc. For example - endeavors may include a Quest, Storming the Castle, Subterfuge, Escape, Prepare for Battle, Empowered - and may change during the story - or goals may shift (to achieve the overall goal, other intermediate goals may be necessary for success). He also discusses variations of structure -such as multiple characters or variations to the big confrontation style climax. Kutzera also shows how to connect the various parts to form a coherent whole.
I think The Plot Machine would be a great resource to help invertebrate planners plan their stories but also a good book for both planners and pantsers to mine for plot ideas. My copy is on kindle, I can see the advantages of a print book to flick through the pages as needed.
Being familiar with the classic 'hero's journey' (Joseph Campbell) presented by a plethora of craft books (K M Wieland, 'Save the Cat', etc), at first I didn't find anything particularly new. However, I did appreciate a more modular approach (rather than a linear at the 12.5% mark x should happen approach) and the range of ideas of different types of goals, desires, flaws, endeavors, reversals, failures etc. For example - endeavors may include a Quest, Storming the Castle, Subterfuge, Escape, Prepare for Battle, Empowered - and may change during the story - or goals may shift (to achieve the overall goal, other intermediate goals may be necessary for success). He also discusses variations of structure -such as multiple characters or variations to the big confrontation style climax. Kutzera also shows how to connect the various parts to form a coherent whole.
I think The Plot Machine would be a great resource to help invertebrate planners plan their stories but also a good book for both planners and pantsers to mine for plot ideas. My copy is on kindle, I can see the advantages of a print book to flick through the pages as needed.
October 26, 2018
A straightforward approach to plotting
Kutzera has taken an interesting approach to breaking down the process of plotting a story. Until reading this book, I’d always tried to plan things in a linear fashion, but Kutzera rearranges the process. He also breaks down common story types into templates, which build your potential story through asking particular questions. Each question builds on ideas and answers you already have, and gets you thinking.
By following this altered roadmap, I was able to build the basic outline for my novel when other methods had failed me.
That said this system doesn’t specifically address building in sub-plots, but the templates make the system adaptable. By using each template to consider possible subplots it’s easier to see how they could be layered in.
My one minor gripe is that a little extra editing would have been useful. There were odd words here and there that looked as though an autocorrect had replaced what was intended. This was the only reason I didn’t rate this five stars, but it wouldn’t stop me investigating future editions of this book, if there are any. I would also be interested in seeing how Kutzera would break down other common story types.
Kutzera has taken an interesting approach to breaking down the process of plotting a story. Until reading this book, I’d always tried to plan things in a linear fashion, but Kutzera rearranges the process. He also breaks down common story types into templates, which build your potential story through asking particular questions. Each question builds on ideas and answers you already have, and gets you thinking.
By following this altered roadmap, I was able to build the basic outline for my novel when other methods had failed me.
That said this system doesn’t specifically address building in sub-plots, but the templates make the system adaptable. By using each template to consider possible subplots it’s easier to see how they could be layered in.
My one minor gripe is that a little extra editing would have been useful. There were odd words here and there that looked as though an autocorrect had replaced what was intended. This was the only reason I didn’t rate this five stars, but it wouldn’t stop me investigating future editions of this book, if there are any. I would also be interested in seeing how Kutzera would break down other common story types.
September 9, 2018
Great advice
This contained some great tips and advice on the planning, or "designing" rather, of a story. I occasionally like to write mostly for my own enjoyment, but I will sometimes share my works anonymously for honest feedback. I found the complexity of this design guide to be more geared towards those who are writing to make money versus purely as a creative outlet, so I will continue to write as I always have and take this guide into consideration should I choose to ever be published. Also, this may be a design guide, but I found it a bit ironic that there were quite a few typos throughout, so it could do with a round of editing.
This contained some great tips and advice on the planning, or "designing" rather, of a story. I occasionally like to write mostly for my own enjoyment, but I will sometimes share my works anonymously for honest feedback. I found the complexity of this design guide to be more geared towards those who are writing to make money versus purely as a creative outlet, so I will continue to write as I always have and take this guide into consideration should I choose to ever be published. Also, this may be a design guide, but I found it a bit ironic that there were quite a few typos throughout, so it could do with a round of editing.
December 28, 2018
I will review this and possibly change my rating once I have a chance to work with the tools therein. Already, I don’t feel like this is set up in a very usable format, even though the information seems very useful. Also, there are many typos; Even his website address in the e-book is incorrect and I had to do a separate search online. That being the case, the PDF of his lists (which are available online) may prove useful. I’m intrigued enough to try to work with them, but also still looking for a better guide as I attempt to improve my plotting.
May 10, 2019
This is not a bad writing craft book but it certainly is not the best. It's not the best in explaining plot and all of the plot points that one must execute in order to write a good story. The one thing I did find helpful was the breakdown of certain tropes and how they flow. Otherwise, I really was not impressed with this book. There are far better books out there on plot, such as Plot Perfect, Story Engineering, etc.
September 4, 2018
Didn't offer any new material for me but that's because I'm an experienced writer. I can see where this book would probably help someone just starting out. Personally I think that the author tried to cover too much material for such a short book.
May 31, 2019
Good Beginner Book
If you are just beginning your writer's journey you will probably find this book helpful. The author explains key writing concepts in simple terms and offers examples. Fairly quick read.
If you are just beginning your writer's journey you will probably find this book helpful. The author explains key writing concepts in simple terms and offers examples. Fairly quick read.
March 15, 2022
A standard writing craft guide, with a strong focus on basic story structure. More instructional than scholarly, will be of more use to the novice writer rather than someone looking to further hone their skills.
October 26, 2017
Quick, helpful read. Troublesome that there are so many grammatical errors.... but if you can see past them, it's a great primer on story-telling basics.
August 31, 2018
Presents a nice overview of outline and plot development.
September 1, 2018
Excellent outline of writing processes.
Will use to outline my newest book. I liked the three act description and the lists of possible elements for the hero's actions.
Will use to outline my newest book. I liked the three act description and the lists of possible elements for the hero's actions.
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November 18, 2016I bought the audible selection and found this book very informative.
I learned some good information but also had to re-listen to quite a bit of complex lists of information that the author probably thought were well known. Only I didnt know them.
I listened while I drove so my attention was probably split.
It had a bunch of good info and made a ton of sense.
I learned some good information but also had to re-listen to quite a bit of complex lists of information that the author probably thought were well known. Only I didnt know them.
I listened while I drove so my attention was probably split.
It had a bunch of good info and made a ton of sense.
January 5, 2016
Two stars, only because if you haven't read Joseph Campbell you will definitely get something from this. If you have any knowledge of story structure then you don't need this book. Truly a gigantic waste of my money.
August 6, 2016
Helpful for novice writers
This was very helpful in getting me to understand what I need to think about for writing a story. It's well laid out, and there are great examples to follow.
This was very helpful in getting me to understand what I need to think about for writing a story. It's well laid out, and there are great examples to follow.
August 18, 2021
a different approach to plotting. start in the middle...go to the end and then write the beginning.
This book is only ok. I was getting it confused with Rock Your Plot, which I read at the same time that I read this one the first time.
This book is only ok. I was getting it confused with Rock Your Plot, which I read at the same time that I read this one the first time.
May 30, 2016
Interesting and easy to read!
I found a lot in common with this author, mostly in the way I process the info to put them in order.
I found a lot in common with this author, mostly in the way I process the info to put them in order.
August 13, 2016
Dense in the presentation but great info to have. Reviewing or learning this book is a great tool for writers.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews