Three Story Method: Foundations of Fiction

by J. Thorn, Zach Bohannon, Chris Brogan (Foreword)

Storytelling isn’t complicated. We’ll prove it to you.Do you have an amazing idea for a novel but you struggle to get words on the page? Maybe the problem isn’t writer’s block. Maybe you need a writing process.Publishing veterans and bestselling authors Zach Bohannon and J. Thorn share their proven system for developing a plan that will bridge the gap between a collection of random notes and a cohesive first draft.This comprehensive book will teach you the foundations of Plot, Structure, Genre, Theme, Character, and you need a system to finish a first draft whether you plot or pantsWhat Aristotle said about storytelling thousands of years ago that still applies todayHow studying Star Wars can make you a better writerWhat some of the most prolific authors believe about the craftHow all stories can be reduced to three componentsWhich archetypes create a more engaging reader experienceHow the Hero’s Journey is alike and different than the Virgin’s PromiseWhy you should cast your characters like a movie producerDeveloped over 10 years and applied on millions of words of fiction, Thorn and Bohannon will show you how to layer your approach and build a fantastic story from the ground up.No more staring at a blinking cursor when you sit down to write!Become a master storyteller today. Three Story Method will transform you from a struggling writer into a career author.Downloadable worksheet and full list of resources included! Get it now!Check out the workbook, value-priced so you can use a new one for each project. Search "Three Story Method Workbook" on Amazon and get the workbook companion today!

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Want a story that’s rooted in a fundamental aspect of being human?

I believe reading dark fiction can be healing. My overriding mission is to connect with you through my art, and I hope to inspire you to do the same. I’m a word architect and driven visionary. I’m obsessed with heavy metal, horror films and technology. And I admire strong people who are not afraid to speak their mind.

I grew up in an Irish Catholic, working class family and was the first to go to college. I didn’t have expensive toys, so I used my own imagination for entertainment. And then I abused alcohol for entertainment. I spent the first thirty years of my life convincing myself I wasn’t an addict and the last ten worrying about all the potential threats the substances hid from me.

Anxiety and depression are always hiding in the corner, waiting to jump me when I start to feel happiness.

I had to break through family programming and accept the role of the black sheep. In my 30s I started writing horror and formed a heavy metal band while my family rolled their eyes, sighed and waited for the “phase” to end.

I spent years paralyzing myself with self-loathing and criticism, keeping my creativity smothered and hidden from the rest of the world. I worked a job I hated because that’s what Irish Catholic fathers do. They don’t express themselves, they pay the damn mortgage. I may have left my guilt and faith behind long ago, but the scars remain.

My creativity is my release, my therapy and my place to work through it all. I haven’t had a drink in a long time, but the anxiety and depression are always lurking. Writing novels and songs keeps it at bay. I scream over anxiety with my microphone and I turn my guitar up loud enough to drown out the whispers of self-doubt.

I hope to leave a legacy of art that will continue to entertain and enrich lives long after I’m gone. I want others to see that you don’t have to conform to the mainstream to be fulfilled.

Don’t be afraid of the dark. Embrace it.

Experience:
By the end of 2014, J. Thorn will have published over one million words and sold over 100,000 ebooks, worldwide.

J. Thorn is a Top 100 Most Popular Author in Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy (Amazon Author Rank). In March of 2014 Thorn held the #5 position in Horror with his childhood idols Dean Koontz and Stephen King at #4 and #2 respectively. He is an official, active member of the Horror Writers Association and a member of the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. J. is a contributor to disinformation.com and a staff writer for HeavyPlanet.net as well as a founding board member of the Author Marketing Institute.

Thorn earned a B.A. in American History from the University of Pittsburgh and a M.A. from Duquesne University. He has spent the last twenty years researching mysticism and the occult in colonial American history.

Reviews

[Dread · Rating 1 out of 5]

I kept waiting

I kept waiting for the book to eventually get down to the business of the "Three Story Method". At approximately 60% of the text the book ended and the appendix began. "Three Story Method" was repeatedly mentioned though out but if what it was and how to apply it was ever discussed in the text, well, I completely missed it. If I hadn't read, in places other than this book, about the three story approach to telling stories, I still wouldn't know what it is after reading this publication. In short, this book was about as useful to me as a writer and story teller, as mammary glands are to a boar hog.

[Sacha Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

J and Zach have knocked it out of the park with this nonfiction book for writers. They distil thousands of years of storytelling into a simple framework that will help you structure your stories for the rest of your writing career. Insightful, straightforward and with poignant examples, this is one of those books that should be in every writers library.

[Stewart Sternberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This and the workbook are a good place for beginning writers to start. And for old grizzly writers who need a bit of shaking up.

What I like about Thorn and Bohannon is that they pull together commanlities from different approaches to writing and end up with a pragmatic foundation for constructing a novel.

[Angela Breen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an award-winning author, editor, and someone who teaches Story, this is a great resource.

The authors provide thorough background and resources for further study while giving you everything need to improve your writing and/or your existing manuscript.

I’ve been in this space for a while now and was surprised by what I learned from this book.

It’s a great resource that I will recommend to my students and writer friends alike.

[Daniel Willcocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

J and Zach have found a refreshing and straight-forward way of looking at story.

This book is packed with everything from history lessons in the origin of story, to practical advice on how to frame your next project. It's a consolidation of techniques from centuries of wisdom on story put together into a book that'll save you sifting through everything else.

Full disclosure, I've used this method on several projects. Each time I learn something new that engages the reader in a practical way, and only strengthens my writing. You can hear the passion in the writers' words on the page, and there's an unfiltered dedication to Story that just makes this book worth picking up.

If you're wanting to know how to craft a story that will stand the test of time, look no further. This book is for every writer, and should be read by every writer as a foundation on what story is, the best ways to structure your tale, and how to add true emotional depth so that your readers actually care about what it is that you have to say.

Spot on, guys. Great stuff.

[Kirstie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so I have been listening to the Career Author Podcast for a couple of years now(and a few other of J's podcasts), so this was basically an insta-buy for me ;p For those of you who aren't pre-sold:

There's a lot of interesting stuff all sewn together into a way to create either as detailed a plot or as loose a plot as you want (something for everyone except pure pantsers). I liked the look into the mythic structure forms, especially the Virgin's Promise, since I'd not heard of it before.

One of the focuses in the book is on the importance of choice on many levels and it's got me rethinking my latest plot outline. Excuse for procrastination or actual improvement, who knows ;p (cut to 'why not both' meme ;p )

There's a lot in here, but if you're looking for an outright formula this is not it. This is a process, a way to look at and formulate your own plot with a lot of insight, and clued in by lots of great information coming both from these guys brains and from many other wise sources as well.

[Jay Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

In full transparency, I was eagerly anticipating the release of Three Story Method because I have been a huge fan of what J. and Zach have been doing in the independent author community. From their Career Author podcast to their writing retreats, they have become a trusted voice among writers the world over--and Three Story Method might just be their greatest contribution yet. It's intuitive and practical, yet thought-provoking and challenging. They do a wonderful job at the "how" and the "why", never falling too far down the trap of theory (which plagues so many writing "how to's"). I have written and published a few books with my own process--and I was proud and bullish about how it was the best process for me--though, after one read through of Three Story Method, I can't forget my process fast enough. This is a true game changer.

[Cal Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has some good advice and decent information. My biggest complaint is that the final third of this book is the appendix, which seems to be a big chunk of a book. In the appendix are a couple of interviews and a short story, which while the story may have been written using their process, there is no explanation to the process with the story. The information also just stops. There is nothing to indicate that you are at the end other then the next section being the appendix. It feels like there is something missing to tie everything together, and feels very disjointed.
Again, the information is decent, but not worth the pages if 1/3 are wasted space, and to me it felt like wasted space.

[Green · Rating 1 out of 5]

I kept waiting for this book to get better. It's mostly a bunch of quotes by other writers about writing, and then when you think it's finally getting somewhere, it ends and gives you a long appendix. I learned nothing new from this book.

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is also a workbook in paperback with the idea that you would buy it for each story you want to outline. They have made sure to cut the price to the lowest they can get it. Not really an option in Australia, but knowing J, there’ll be some other way to get a printable version. [there is, it’s a free PDF on his website]

Bless Chris Brogan who writes the forward:

The only people who read forewords are authors. That’s something in your favor. Now go earn it by reading this book, and THEN WRITING YOUR OWN DAMNED BOOK ALREADY!  Don’t make me grumpy.

Indeed.

J and Zach have tried all sorts of things over the years; Zach still writes, but J seems to be gravitating towards the teaching part of the process. And of course, he's always making new podcasts.

I read a lot of craft books - the theory is that if I can learn one thing, it will not be time wasted, and I definitely learnt more than one here. And now I have a list of other craft books to go and buy. [I LOVE Brian McDonald's Youtube series, I don't know why I haven't stumped up for his book yet.]

Their theory is that if you have a method to producing your titles, then it will get easier each time. Makes sense, and this is al so what David Kadavy was talking about in Mind Management title.

And it helps you get your own brain under control.

A Story Idea is Born

It happens in the strangest of places. You’re walking the dog or taking the trash can to the curb when inspiration strikes. Story idea! But you’re an author, so you file it away with the other 400 ideas you had while standing in the shower that morning.

[OMG I hear this. So. Many. Ideas.]

They focus on both character AND structure. And go through some methods; it's a great summary of ALL those methods if you don't want to go and read the books yourself.

The extras include bits from interviews with writers on ways to use extra stuff to generate outlines: tarot, runes, the 12 Officials, and mindmaps.

An excellent resource for writers

4 stars

[Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thorn offers a practical guide for writers looking to improve their storytelling skills and better structure their narratives. While the book provides a useful framework for approaching the writing process, I found it to be somewhat repetitive and lacking in the depth and nuance necessary to elevate it to a higher rating, thus giving it three stars.

The Three Story Method focuses on breaking down the storytelling process into three distinct layers: the surface, middle, and deep story. Thorn provides a step-by-step guide to understanding and implementing these layers, addressing plot, character, and theme development. The book offers practical advice for writers at various stages of their writing journey, from brainstorming to revision.

Thorn's writing is clear and concise, making the concepts and techniques presented in the book easily accessible to readers. The practical examples and exercises throughout the book help to illustrate the ideas discussed and encourage readers to apply the concepts to their own work. For novice writers, the book can serve as a useful starting point to understand the basic elements of storytelling.

However, despite the practical advice and useful exercises, I found the Three Story Method to be somewhat repetitive and lacking in depth. While the concepts presented are valuable, the book often reiterates the same points, and the examples provided can feel overly simplistic at times. For more experienced writers, the material may not provide enough new insight or challenge to significantly improve their storytelling skills.

In conclusion, Three Story Method: Foundations of Fiction is a practical and accessible guide for writers looking to understand the basics of storytelling and improve their narrative structure. While the book offers a useful framework and practical exercises, its repetitive nature and lack of depth may limit its appeal to more experienced writers. Three stars well earned.

[Sarah Yasin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book needs a second edition. It barely explains what the method is, and I don't know why it's called three story. Is it the three elements to story? Is it the three storeys of the pyramid?

But more important, the method is excellent. It gets to the core of what story is, and whether you even have a story. It's essential for prewriting, writing, and revising. J. Thorn deserves an award for this. I will never approach writing the same way again.

A second edition could drill deeper into what these three elements are, why they work, and what happens without them. If I were the editor, I'd cut all the extraneous info on the next steps of writing developed by other writers. All of that could be condensed into a "further reading" list. I could have done without the appendix as well.

I appreciate the single example story throughout, but a second edition could expand examples to include other genres. How is Elizabeth Bennet's choice just as momentous as Luke Skywalker's? I can see such a chapter in my mind's eye, and it would be a useful reference tool to come back to again and again.

Despite its presentation, the book's core system is ingenious. Every writer should read this book.

[Kemp]

It’s a lot easier being on this side of the fence and saying what you liked or didn’t like about a book.

Way easier!

Writing one takes not only a good idea but the ability to imagine and tell a story that keeps the audience engaged. Hats off to all the writers providing us material.

This book lays out a method to construct a fiction and, in fact, provides several different methods that really boil down to a beginning that sets the stage, the middle with tension and conflict, and the ending with a resolution and transformation. The authors use Star Wars: A New Hope to describe these different methods.

It might work. I wonder about trying my hand at writing but, as the authors point out, all of us think we have a good idea for a story but most don’t move beyond that idea.
They stress the benefit of building a plan that includes both a timeline and character backgrounds.

These efforts make it more likely your story won’t have impossible time shifts or characters with multiple personalities. I know when I detect an impossible timeline – like appearing in a new location too quickly to be physically possible – I’m diverted from enjoying the book and pondering what else is amiss.

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Story Method: Foundations of Fiction does a lot of the hard work for you. The authors have combed through the classic writing craft texts (from Aristotle to Campbell to McKee) and synthesized the material into one simple system. If you've struggled with crafting a compelling story or building an outline that stays true to story structure, this book will help you do both.

I've seen some reviews note that the appendix takes up about 1/3 of the book, which is true. However, the materials offered there provide additional, creative approaches to writing and outlining (specifically using tarot cards, runes, and mind maps), along with interviews with story experts and an example of the Three Story Method in a short story the authors wrote. I found it all interesting and plan to try some of these alternative methods on future projects.

If you're a beginning author who doesn't know where to start with craft books, start here and then expand into the books cited. If you're a more experienced author looking for a refresher on craft or a simpler method for approaching story, you'll get a lot out of this too.

[Bryn Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy and fast read. The authors push for the three story method drawing largely from Aristotle's Poetics and approach to three act stories and then comparing their ideas to how Star Wars fit the bill. There's a lot of Joseph Campbell/the Heroes Journey underlying the writing. The Star Wars examples are interesting and provide a template of sorts. One problem I had was the constant referecnes to a worksheet. I had no idea what they were talking about and there wasn't a worksheet scattered throughout the book. BUT, there is a link for one on page 176. For a new reader, I'd recommend downloading the worksheet in advance so you have a visual to reference or event fill out as you go if you are at that point in your writing.

[Jarie Bolander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Applies to Any and All Stories

I found the three story method a wonderful read and a practical way to figure out if what you’re about to write well actually come out readable. I really love the examples and the deep research on other story methods. It’s a must read for any and all storytellers.

[Shane Millar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a simple way to tell stories guaranteed to delight readers?

Look no further, my writerly friend!

J and Zach crushed it.

They boil down millennia of storytelling technique into an easy to follow process that’s guaranteed to produce results.

This should be mandatory reading for your writer’s toolkit!

[Jade King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Deal...No it is...really

I have had the block for 3 years. This book helped me spark my creativity again. A must read for all authors who struggle with idea organization and finishing what they have started. I was skeptical...now. I am a believer in plotting not pantsing.

[Andrew Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly Effective

The authors seem to have cracked the code with salient information and chapters that are just long enough to clarify the concept and, thankfully, lacking fluff.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even after reading this, I don’t really know what the method is. It all seems pretty basic. I still don’t know what “the three stories” are. There are some decent insights, but they are mostly culled from other writers.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much here beyond repeating what other people have said in there own books or podcasts. However, there are some tidbits I found helpful.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Structure! You needs it.

[Sage Bray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I’ve read too many craft of writing books but this seemed kind of long to say not a lot. A few great gems in it but could have been a lot shorter and gotten the same info across.

[Heather Rutkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

A synthesis of major writing methods from well-known authors (hero’s journey, save the cat, etc).

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Three Story Method breaks down a method of writing that is the most efficient for career authors. Using Star Wars: A New Hope as an example, the author explains the method step by step in a way that is clear and thorough. Though the method is not for everybody, I would recommend this book to all writers. Everybody can get nuggets of wisdom out of this book, but the ones you get will vary depending on your own style of writing and where you are in your journey. Definitely worth reading.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't find it all that enlightening and the use of Star Wars as the example was yawnsome.

[L.A. Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a three-act method.

[Jerry Walch · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s no one right way to approach writing a novel, just as there’s no one right book to guide you. There are many excellent books on the subject and everyone of them has something positive to offer the aspiring novelist, but Three Story Method is one of the best. I had heard a great deal about Three Story Method but didn’t feel the need to add it to my collection of books on writing until I entered one of J. Thorns online 5 day writing challenges. The five-day challenge was called “Supercharge Your Scenes” which was based on the Three Story Method. What I learned about the Three Story Method during that five-day challenge whetted my appetite for more of the three story method. I just had to read the complete book. This is a book that every writer needs to have in his/her library.

 The book by itself is invaluable, but I urge everyone to purchase the Three Story Method Workbook along with the Three Story Method book. Having the workbook will make doing the exercises found in the book much easier, and you must work through the exercises to get the most value from the book. The workbook is inexpensive enough where you can purchase extra copies to use with your actual works in progress. I have six setting on top of my filing cabinet ready for use.

 If you want to take your storytelling to the next level, then you must read The Three Story Method, not once, not twice, but many times, keeping it close at hand to refer back to as you write your masterpiece.