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Story-Flash: Step-by-Step Technology of Plot Development
Author and scriptwriter Alexander Astremsky offers a systematic approach to plot development and screenwriting. He suggests you stop "waiting for inspiration" and use the Story-Flash step-by-step technology instead. He invites you to rev up “the engine of your imagination" so that you can come up with exciting stories and design them easily, professionally and without the “throes of creation.” The book includes such chapters as "Story Development," "Episode Plan," "Character Development," “How to Make the Story as Compelling as Possible,” “How to Develop a Great Comedy Plot,” etc. It includes over 60 various practical exercises, pictures and diagrams illustrating this step-by-step process. This book also includes the Story-Flash Game, which you can play by yourself or with others. It is not just an interesting and entertaining game, it is designed to boost your imagination with inspiration and break down the barriers in your mind that prevent you from creating brilliant stories with ease. Would you like to know how to write stories? How to write a screenplay? How to write a book? Story-Flash is a screenwriting book that will show you how to write well, how to write faster and easier.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
366 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 22, 2019
One of the best writing books I've read...
...and I have read many! There isn't a lot of new information on terms of understanding the ingredients a plot requires, but the way he has systematized it into a series of clear steps and checklists, and illustrated each step with examples and details from a sample pretend screenplay (along with useful examples from real movies) is extremely helpful and clarifying. The exercises are clear and look like fun as well.
I'm interested in writing books, and this book is primarily about screenplays, but it's very applicable to novels, especially genre fiction. So if you are looking for something about novel writing, don't let the screenplay emphasis out you off. It's not about the details of formatting etc with scripts as it is about figuring out the bones of a story
That is the ingredient I've felt I lacked (or lacked confidence to go for it) and this book has filled me with energy and optimism that I can finally crack this and write like I want! So if you are in that boat, you will want to check this out .
...and I have read many! There isn't a lot of new information on terms of understanding the ingredients a plot requires, but the way he has systematized it into a series of clear steps and checklists, and illustrated each step with examples and details from a sample pretend screenplay (along with useful examples from real movies) is extremely helpful and clarifying. The exercises are clear and look like fun as well.
I'm interested in writing books, and this book is primarily about screenplays, but it's very applicable to novels, especially genre fiction. So if you are looking for something about novel writing, don't let the screenplay emphasis out you off. It's not about the details of formatting etc with scripts as it is about figuring out the bones of a story
That is the ingredient I've felt I lacked (or lacked confidence to go for it) and this book has filled me with energy and optimism that I can finally crack this and write like I want! So if you are in that boat, you will want to check this out .
January 17, 2019
Some insights, very scientific approach to creative writing
This is a book that tries to distill writing into a science. It's a noble effort. "Follow the steps, in this order, and you will have a winning screenplay or book!"
If only it were that easy.
I find the 'steps' to be helpful in so far as they get you to look at your story from all angles, and consider things you may have overlooked on your own. In combination with other plotting or structure strategies, it may prove useful to have a checklist handy.
However it does suffer slightly for the dry delivery. More humor and anecdotes would have made the read more enjoyable. This is something akin to a writing reference textbook.
If you are a very rational minded person and want things spelled out and a set of steps to follow, this may be the perfect system for you.
This is a book that tries to distill writing into a science. It's a noble effort. "Follow the steps, in this order, and you will have a winning screenplay or book!"
If only it were that easy.
I find the 'steps' to be helpful in so far as they get you to look at your story from all angles, and consider things you may have overlooked on your own. In combination with other plotting or structure strategies, it may prove useful to have a checklist handy.
However it does suffer slightly for the dry delivery. More humor and anecdotes would have made the read more enjoyable. This is something akin to a writing reference textbook.
If you are a very rational minded person and want things spelled out and a set of steps to follow, this may be the perfect system for you.
March 2, 2019
SUPER TECHNOLOGY. REAL ENGINE FOR IMAGINATION
All my life it was not easy for me to write stories. I think like a technical person, sometimes it really brought me problems. And now I found a very efficient writing technology.
There is a game that you play and this rusulted in a minor miracle and has inspired me to write. my husband and i played this game and it inspired him as well. Playing this game gave me the tools to be able to write any story that my imagination could conceive. Not only can I now write stories for the first time but this help me improve as a technical person.
Thank you Alex for introducing me to this wonderful technology and new skills that I have gained!
All my life it was not easy for me to write stories. I think like a technical person, sometimes it really brought me problems. And now I found a very efficient writing technology.
There is a game that you play and this rusulted in a minor miracle and has inspired me to write. my husband and i played this game and it inspired him as well. Playing this game gave me the tools to be able to write any story that my imagination could conceive. Not only can I now write stories for the first time but this help me improve as a technical person.
Thank you Alex for introducing me to this wonderful technology and new skills that I have gained!
January 28, 2019
Great read
Even though I don't write scripts I enjoyed this book. It has some good tips on working in general too.
Even though I don't write scripts I enjoyed this book. It has some good tips on working in general too.
March 3, 2019
While reading the book I was able to think almost all of my screenplay through. The second chapter on the story structure was particularly helpful. In the introduction the author says that this book is not for reading but for using, which I didn't understand at first. But starting with the first chapter I saw that I just do one step after another and the story is already shaping up! What really helps is that each step has examples from the same story and not from various unfamiliar movies. I decided to leave a review because I haven't felt that inspired in a long time. It really is the engine for my imagination!
March 3, 2019
No matter how many times I would study various "storyline theories," "100 secrets for a successful novel," "5 steps to a Hollywood screenplay," etc., I was able to actually write something only a couple of times and it was veeeeeery difficult... Story-Flash GAVE me a perfect map that helps to tear through all the questions that were stopping me in my tracks right in the beginning of writing a brilliant story! This is FANTASTIC!!! If you want - or ever wanted - to write, don't miss out on this book! It's a great start for your imagination. You will build the most important thing here - your STORY!!!
January 29, 2019
Very helpful
A well thought out and detailed system for creating plot outlines. Also includes instructions for how to analyze films to learn more about what makes story work. It is primarily aimed at screenwriters, but the of India will work just as well for novelists.
My biggest criticism is that the formatting is awkward and inconsistent. This book could use thorough proofreading by someone who understands ebook layout. (Alexander--I'm available to hire if you want help!😁)
A well thought out and detailed system for creating plot outlines. Also includes instructions for how to analyze films to learn more about what makes story work. It is primarily aimed at screenwriters, but the of India will work just as well for novelists.
My biggest criticism is that the formatting is awkward and inconsistent. This book could use thorough proofreading by someone who understands ebook layout. (Alexander--I'm available to hire if you want help!😁)
May 21, 2019
Become Unstuck Writing Your Book
The process described in this book can help you get past the blank page syndrome by giving you step by step how to design your story and lay it out. So all that’s left to do is fill in the details. By the time you’re writing the story itself, you already know what’s happening in a given scene...it’s up to you to bring that story to life.
The process described in this book can help you get past the blank page syndrome by giving you step by step how to design your story and lay it out. So all that’s left to do is fill in the details. By the time you’re writing the story itself, you already know what’s happening in a given scene...it’s up to you to bring that story to life.
December 4, 2018
This book indicates step-by-step processes for developing a story, for creating characters and making a story as compelling as possible. It can serve as a guide for beginners as well as a refresher for more experienced writers.
October 21, 2022
Great Resource!
This is a must have resource for all writers. It is a step by step guide to successfully plotting out your novel or screenplay. The book is a wealth of information That is Invaluable. It helps you lay out In outline your stories.
This is a must have resource for all writers. It is a step by step guide to successfully plotting out your novel or screenplay. The book is a wealth of information That is Invaluable. It helps you lay out In outline your stories.
November 23, 2019
Best Story How-To Book Around
The best book I have found in about 20 years of studying how to write an effective story. Clear and concise.
The best book I have found in about 20 years of studying how to write an effective story. Clear and concise.
April 11, 2022
Great book! Really helpful and inspiring, the author has fantastic insights on what it takes to write a book and the necessary steps for it
June 27, 2023
Helpful advice, poor example
I thought that the advice given in the book was helpful in terms of developing a process and checklist for your work, but the story the author "creates" to illustrate each point is so awful and cliché. I'm sure if the author had a really good idea for a screenplay, he would have written it rather than this book, but it did make me at times question the author's expertise.
I thought that the advice given in the book was helpful in terms of developing a process and checklist for your work, but the story the author "creates" to illustrate each point is so awful and cliché. I'm sure if the author had a really good idea for a screenplay, he would have written it rather than this book, but it did make me at times question the author's expertise.
January 3, 2019
The book was okay, but left me wanting more specific detail. I've got better books on my shelf that cover pretty much the same material.
August 16, 2019
Concise and informative
A great way to let us know what we need to create a well rounded book.
I didn't personally need the episode descriptions but they were interesting.
A great way to let us know what we need to create a well rounded book.
I didn't personally need the episode descriptions but they were interesting.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews