Theme & Strategy

by Ronald B. Tobias

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

160 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1989

About the author

Ronald B. Tobias has spent his career as a writer moving from genre to genre, first as a short story writer, then as an author of fiction and nonfiction books and finally as a writer and producer of documentaries for public television. He is currently a professor in the Department of Media and Theatre Arts at Montana State University.

Reviews

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book talks about strategy and patterns. "Strategy becomes your recipe for writing--the guide that you follow to get the right mix of plot, character, action, and theme." (p.2) "Pattern creates the weave that holds together the fabric of your story, . . ." (p.5) We discuss the patterns of audience, structure, plot, action, character, thought: theme, place and style. Each pattern is illustrated through excepts from books and movies. This is another good book for novice writers.

[Ksenia Anske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stumbled on this series, The Elements of Fiction Writing, on the recommendation of a fellow writer, and plan to read them all (12 books). This book is on theme and strategy, but I would say it's more about patterns, patterns of theme, action, character, plot, etc., merging together and working as one whole. Clear, concise, and packed with examples.

[N.A.K. Baldron · Rating 1 out of 5]

Out dated and a waste of time. It's full of fluff sentences and takes pages to get to the point.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe more like 3½ but I rounded down because the second half (maybe last third) wasn't as interesting to me. I liked the idea of planning a strategy to some degree. Having attempted to just make an intuitive leap has not served me well in writing anything very long.

It is a fairly old book, but I think it sill makes some reasonable points. But the world of writing (and reading) has certainly changed since it was published.

[Josef Miyasato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tobias is one of my favorite writing teachers. His is a keen eyes that can articulate the forest for the trees. This is my second book of his and I'm a better writer for it. In a short expanse of time, both books read in two weeks, Tobias has shown me more than my last four writing teachers combined. I recommend this book to every would-be author.

[J.R. Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read if you want to learn the essential techniques on fiction writing in this topic.

If you got the time to read it, take the leap. It served me well in my writing career, personally and professionally.

J.R. Fitzgerald

[Randal Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book most helpful in my own efforts to write a novel. I have just completed my first draft and read this and saw so many ways to improve it. I would recommend this book to any one who is aspiring to write their first work be it fiction or nonfiction material.

[Roozbeh Estifaee · Rating 4 out of 5]

من کتاب درباره تئوری‌های داستان‌نویسی یا کتاب آموزش داستان‌نویسی خیلی کم خونده‌ام، ولی بین همین کم‌هایی که خونده‌ام این از بهترین‌ها بود. چیزهای به درد خوری داشت