The Story Solution

by Sean M. Platt, Johnny B. Truant

Do you want to have more direction in your life? Take control of what’s happening and where you want your life to go? Masters of story Sean Platt and Johnny Truant have the answer for you, and it is the answer based entirely in story.

For the last decade, Platt and Truant have been writing and publishing fiction that continues to touch the hearts of readers around the world. They’ve built worlds now inhabited by a dozen authors and created characters that resonate long after the book has been closed. Their coaching, advice, and podcasts have inspired and motivated hundreds of writers and helped dozens find their way to becoming full-time authors. And now with The Story Solution, they bring their storytelling prowess to helping you to figure out what you want from your own, real world life.

The idea is simple: you are the main character of your own story, so why not construct your story the way a writer does?

The Story Solution will show you how!

If you’re ready to take charge of your life the way a writer takes charge of their story, then pick up your copy today.

Genres: Writing, Personal Development, Self Help, Nonfiction

186 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2019

Reviews

[Joe Barlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sean Platt and Johnny B Truant keep knocking it out of the park with their books for writers. This offering takes a slightly different approach than their other works: it's more about how to use the techniques of fiction writing to plot out the life you want to live. Fascinating stuff, and quite inspirational.

My only (relatively minor) complaint is the authors' repeated use of the word "slavery" to refer to obstacles or unpleasant situations in which you might find yourself. The book is only a few years old, and this already feels a little tone-deaf in the modern climate. It happens perhaps a dozen times in the book. I'm sorry, but voluntarily working at a high-paying job you don't enjoy isn't "slavery" and shouldn't be confused with it. Otherwise, a very enjoyable and empowering read.

[Miguel Ángel Alonso Pulido · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creo que no es el primer libro que habla de tratar tu vida como una historia y aplicar técnicas narrativas para mejorarla, pero me parece que lo hace muy bien y la última parte, sobre que la historia no termina mientras el protagonista respire, me ha llegado muy hondo. Recomendado si quieres conocer cómo funcionan las historias o si quieres cambiar la tuya.

[Daniel Milford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Så forbasket amerikansk i stilen at jeg tror jeg gulpet litt. God idé i bunn, men det hadde holdt med fem sider og null klapp på egen skulder.

[Andy Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

a fine premise. a disappointing book

no new ground here. not particularly well told, either. this book fails to deliver on its promise, apparently satisfying the authors that they stretched what would have made a decent article in a periodical into a book. yet, overall, a most unremarkable book.

[Jane Night · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: This is a self help book that uses the elements of story to show people how to make improvements to their lives. Things such as choosing a healthy and appropriate setting and being an active protagonist in your own story.

My rating:

4/5

I absolutely loved this book. there were so many topics covered that I could relate to. Of note, some of the things talked about were:

Focusing on your story goals (keep your big picture life in mind and don't get distracted by side storylines)

Eliminating unhelpful side characters (who to keep in your life and who to break ties with)

Failure isn't the end of a story. It is only a plot twist.

It is important to find your authentic voice and live your authentic life.


The authors of this book are not psychologists or mental health professionals. They are only writers who are trying to explain concepts they have learned. This book is not a substitute for professional advice but it is a book that can create some perspective if you are struggling with where you are in your life.

The examples in this book are given through the glasses of storytelling so I enjoyed how it spoke to me on a personal level. As an author I could understand the story elements of a story easily and compare it to my life pathway.

This book came at a time when I really needed it and my experience with it was deeply personal. It helped me put many things into perspective about the life I am living.

I really enjoyed this book and I think it has great value for writers and readers who are looking for some perspective on their life journey.

I have read these authors before and I truly enjoy them. This book maintained the voice I know and have come to appreciate over the years. I think this book is a valuable and fun read and I recommend it.

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a revolutionary book. Much of what is in it you may have heard before. But if you're a creative—particularly a writer—who's wound up living a story that feels mostly terrible and out of your control (as I am), this is a solid, relatable, and inspiring kick in the pants. Your mileage may vary, but this work definitely spoke my language and unlocked some difficult truths I'll have to face in order to move forward. I'll be revisiting it in print to take notes, since my first go-around was in audio.

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book which explores how you can use story to change your life. I found the approach of the authors to be quite novel and to mesh with other writing techniques that can be used for similar work. The story solution helps you take a step back from your life and start creating a new story. This book will change your life because it will help you rewrite your current story into a better one.

[H.R. Hutzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrative is the structure of life, which is why stories are so powerful. This book attempts to help the reader view their life through the lens of a story in order to move it from one narrative (an unfulfilling one) to one that is thriving and impactful. Though at times it felt abstract, it was an interesting and insightful read. I did find myself wondering how applicable it would be for someone who isn't familiar with story structure. Overall, it was a great read.

[Mickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I’d read this years ago

I realize they wrote it just a couple of years ago but why did they wait so long? This was an entertaining and inspiring telling of one of the toughest subjects: your life as a writer. Drawing parallels with crafting a novel made sense to me.

If you care about writing fiction, you’ll love this book.

[Bruce Harpham · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting take on the idea of personal development through the lens of storytelling. I lived the idea of "your life is a story that you can tell." It's a new way to rethink one's life - as a story where you write what happens, choose the character arc and so forth. On a fiction note, I highly recommend "The Beam" by the same author.

[Mark Melendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Great book, recommend for anyone interested in philosophy. Also interesting read for anyone who writes and how story affects us all.

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

There have been a few articles/works recently where people recommend that you should think of your own life as a story and you as the author of it. It works in a psych way because it is one step removed from you, if that makes sense, and includes your life goals in a way you can more easily identify. There is also a theory that positive affirmations work better if written in the third person. It’s not *I* am going to do this, it should be *your name* is going to write 2k words today. [Although I always feel a bit silly – like The Boulder from Avatar. ‘The Boulder is conflicted…’]
You aren’t having the worst year of your life; it’s your black moment – the darkness before the dawn. Thinking like that can really help you get through stuff.
And if you ARE a writer, then you should already know the hero’s quest story beats. [Are there magic eagles? I wish there were magic eagles…]
So, the guys from Sterling & Stone have been through a few plot twists of their own and they are, as always, brutally honest about them… there’s some good advice in here.

At worst, social media is poisonous. I don’t know about you, but for me, the ability to blurt whatever comes to mind has taught me a lot more about my “friends” than I wanted to know. Didn’t realize Jason from high school was a bigot? Now you know. Didn’t realize Sarah and Greg betray other people’s secrets? You’ll know when they slip and say something private in public. Fundamentally disagree with a political or moral stance? Have fun when the posting begins about it, and you learn how many people you thought you like are on the other side. (p. 94).

*winces* ooh yeah…
What is your brand / theme? Are you on message? – and it’s funny, I know Sean always says ‘what is your why?’ and I just finished reading that book, but your theme is basically that.

We’re wired to think, More, more.
What we really need is, Less, less.
You don’t need a net to scoop your options. You need a filter to get rid of all the crap before it takes up residence in your brain. That filter is called theme.
Remember the WWIRD (What Would Ideal Reader Do) bracelets we joked about a few chapters ago? A better one to wear, if we’re making bracelets, would say, Am I staying on theme? (p. 123).

I swear I am making my own whiteboard magnet to ask that.
And of course, don’t leave it to the final scene.

First of all, don’t wait until the story is done. Deathbeds are shitty places to dictate your thoughts. You may say some profound things, but it’s seriously depressing. (p. 177).

Every step you take towards your final goal is worth it, even if they are tiny baby steps. So get walking.
4 stars

[Mark Melendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on philosophy from the view on a storyteller.

It goes into detail on how our lives are stories too, and we are telling them everyday. So, are you going to let your life be a story of wake up, work, tv, sleep, and repeat, or are we going to create the life we want, a story we want to live?

And how do you want be defined in your story? Is it about how you are or what you do? This is a bigger question than most people realize. Think how you would want people to describe you. By how compassionate and ambitious you are, or by your accomplishments. Which stands out, which do you want to stand out.

[Shu Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. Unique perspective.