20 Master Plots: And How to Build Them by Ronald Tobias
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Book Reviews of 20 Master Plots: And How to Build Them
Book Review: A Basis for Forming a Million Plot Ideas
Summary: 5 Stars
Everything you need is in one, neat package. Ronald B. Tobias shows you how to build an infinite number of plot ideas by using a mere 20 master plots. It's not the 20 plots themselves that are important, but the foresight needed to carry out any of those ideas in a well-developed plot that counts.
In Chapter One, the author defines what a plot is, taking simple but interesting examples from literature. He then moves his ideas on to plot and uses them to ascertain just how many plots exist in the world. In the broadest sense, there are only two, he deduces.
In Chapter Two, he uses 8 concept of "lowest common denominator" to ascribe certain characteristics to plot element such as: make tension fuel your plot, create tension through opposition, make tension grow as opposition increases, make change the point of your story, when something happens, make sure it's important, make the casual look casual, make sure you leave lady luck and chance to the lottery, and make sure your central character performs the central action of the climax.
In the beginning of Chapter Three, he quotes from Willa Cather, "There are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before." While reading this chapter, the concepts of tragedy and comedy were the two basic plots that came to mind. Although he does mention these, he was referring to something much more fundamental.
Tobias defines the two basic plot schemes as belonging to the two classes of plot structures in: action plot and plot of mind. Presumably, the strong force, which he talks about in Chapter Three, is what drives the plot while deep structure, which he mentions in Chapter Four, drives the disparity between characters. He adds complexity and dynamics to his perception of plot development so that the twists and turns will yield different expressions of a basic idea.
In Chapter Five, he addresses the dynamics of the characters by involving their plights in terms of the driving strong force and deep structure. This outline paves the way for describing the nature of each of the following 20 plots that he asserts are the true, basic plots of all stories.
Finally, he delivers 20 distinct and original plot ideas generated from the building blocks he first laid out in the three earlier chapters. I will only list them here: Quest, Adventure, Pursuit, Rescue, Escape, Revenge, Riddle, Rivalry, Underdog, Temptation, Metamorphosis, Transformation, Maturation, Love, Forbidden Love, Sacrifice, Discovery, Wretched Excess, Ascension, and Descension. These aim to cut across genre and theme and merely set the stage for story development. Ronald Tobias did not intend a cookbook recipe for constructing a story, but rather a starting point to launch story ideas, to provide definition and substance so that the true story has something from which to evolve.
Book Review: Now I can sit down at my computer and KNOW I'll be able to write a story
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a masterwork. It's taught me how to write a story with an actual plot. Now I can sit down at the computer with a tiny seed of an idea and *know* that I'll be able to grow it into a competent story.
That's kind of amazing.
I disagree with the few criticisms I've read. I didn't think it was particularly repetitive. And if it was repetitive here and there, I didn't think it was a problem. I read each chapter twice anyway; I mean, it's a workbook, not a quick read. I wrote a complete story for each plot type. I also didn't think the author was condescending regarding popular fiction. He seemed to find more value in literary fiction <yawn> than I do, but hey, maybe his insights will make literary fiction less boring if I ever read any again. Seriously, even if you're not a writer, this book is worthwhile for the way it'll help you better appreciate your reading.
I'll admit, I was disappointed that the book didn't give me a cookie cutter formula that I could create a book around. Instead, the author taught me how to analyze and understand plots and create my own. It's like a parable: A woman buys something on Amazon seeking one foolish impossible thing and ends up with something so much more valuable than she imagined. She went to Amazon not even knowing what she lacked; then she bought this book that helped her understand what she needed and then helped her achieve it on her own.
This is an absolute standout book. Probably one of the most significant books I'll read in my life. The NEXT time I get on the NYT bestsellers list (hehe, I'm not being facetious, I took one of the pictures in How to Take Over Teh Wurld: A LOLcat Guide 2 Winning 'wuz awsome. srsly!) I'm gonna track down this author and send him a present!
I wanted to add that in May I wrote one story for each of the 20 plots as an exercise. In July I finally got around to sending out some submissions. Now it's the beginning of August and I've been published twice on the Internet and four more stories are scheduled to be published. Plus, of my stories was purchased by two different anthologies. Thank you, Mr. Tobias! [...]
Book Review: Anatomy of a novel
Summary: 5 Stars
There is a theory that states that every story ever told fits into one (or more) of a small number of plot structures. These "master plots" are usually something like the quest, love, rivalry, etc. I'm still not entirely convinced that this theory is true. However, looking through the 20 master plots listed in this book, I will admit that I find it difficult to think of a story that doesn't fit into one or more of these categories.
"20 Master Plots" is not so much a writing manual, as the sort of book you would expect to be set if you were taking a university level writing or literature course. Although it does provide advice on how to write a novel which fits into one of these plot structures, most of the book is made up of analyses of existing books and movies that fit into one of these categories. Nevertheless, as an aspiring novelist, I have found this book to be of far more use to me than any of the writing manuals which I own. I find this book to be incredibly useful when I am starting a novel and trying to develop the plot. Although, I don't follow the prescribed plot structures religiously, I find that the plot structures provide me with useful suggestions as to elements that I might like to include in my story. If this book is even only half as useful to you as it is to me, it will be well worth your money.
Book Review: Good primer for plot development
Summary: 5 Stars
I have no problems with writing narrative or dialogue, and can sometimes create interesting charcters. But I always get stuck on plot. And without plot, one's novel will run out of steam very quickly. Well, maybe yours won't, but mine always do....
That's why this book is good. Twenty plots, each described in some detail, with examples from film or literature, the three dramatic phases (beginning, middle, and end), and final checklist.
While I do not agree with the author opinion that these 20 master plots constitute a definitive list, this is still an excellent primer and starting point.
I especially found the short final checklist right at the end to be very useful. Thinking up answers helps one to clarify where one's story is going.
On the downside, a complex and well-written novel will take many twists and turns, it will not just have the simple 3-fold structure recommended here. An interesting story will also combine several of these plots and themes; if you use just one you will end up with a very cliche'd story. And I am still not decided on Tobias' view that even so there should only be one major plot.
To sum up, not the whole story in writing plots by any means, but an invaluable edition to any fiction-writer's library.
Book Review: If You're a Copywriter, Sales Writer or Direct Marketer You Need This Book
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is an excellent tool for any copywriter, sales writer or direct marketer who is looking for inspiration on how to tell your client's story. Why?
Because we've all been "programmed" (for want of a better word) from the time we were very young to listen to stories, or have them read to us.
As we got older, we learned how to read them for ourselves - but more than that, stories are a part of our everyday lives... we tell each other what happened last night, last week or last month... We share anecdotes, stories, jokes... Sometimes we tell little white lies (or bigger black ones). As consumers we connect with stories that come to us in advertisements on television, in magazines and newspapers or online - and put ourselves into the storyline.
And that's where this book will become one of your most useful tools. It walks you through the 20 most common plots your customers know, understand and connect with, and it can be a major time saver in figuring out how your clients story should be told and the checklist at the end of each chapter helps you stay on track.
This one is a "must-read."