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: Finially a helpful book on plots
Summary: 5 Stars
Ronald B. Tobias takes 20 different plots and shows how they are constructed. His key word for constructing any type of plot is patteren, pattern, pattern. He successfully breaks down each plot type into 3 acts, beginning, middle, end and points out the foundation to build a story upon it.
The plots that he explains have excellant examples from other work. Such as
The Quest Plot; example 'The Wizard of Oz' Dorthy's search for a way to get home.
The Revenge Plot; example 'The Cask of the Amontillado' Montressor burying Fortunato alive for an unknown insult.
Tobias teaches the A,B,C's and then leaves it up to the reader to create there own words.
I love this book and find it among my top 5 most helpful books on writing a novel or short story.
Book Review: Extremely Helpful for Plotting Your Story
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was a Godsend. My writing instructor recommended being aware of the 20 master plots as we structured stories for her class. I decided to read the entire book so I would understand just what a plot is and does. Although I've read several other books that discuss plotting a story, they were too theoretical and murky for me to understand how to actually structure one. This book clearly explained both what a plot is, what it is not and what's necessary in order to plot your story successfully. The repetitiveness mentioned in other reviews is a means of comparing plot types, not just repeating what was already said, which is what I thought when I read the criticism. After reading this book, I created my first complete plot. I highly recommend it.Book Review: Fun to read and very helpful -- an unexpected find!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have three big boxes of books on writing I'm going to sell and just keep this one. I almost didn't buy this book because I don't want to write formula fiction and was put off by the title. But this isn't about formulas -- it's about understanding the dynamics of story and what the reader needs. It's well written, concise and unexpectedly entertaining. But best of all, it has helped me break down the elements of my novel to better understand what's working and what's not -- and how to fix it. I wish I'd bought it when it first came out. For the writer struggling with plot, this is the book for you.
Book Review: Excellent Help
Summary: 5 Stars
If you've already started your story or if you just have an idea this book is great help. I have been writing for a while, so some of the material was a bit of a refresher, but the sections specifically designed for the romance aspect were golden. It really opened up my story and helped me through some writer's block with the characters.
Easy to navigate, easy to read, and very informative. Excellent buy!
Book Review: Read this before you write
Summary: 5 Stars
This book should be the first thing you read before you attempt any work of fiction.
It is a very well written guide to crafting the very essence of a story. There is something unexpectedly deep hidden behind his words.
You will get a lot more out of this book than you could imagine.
I can't praise it enough.