Blockbuster Plots: Pure & Simple by Martha Alderson
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Book Reviews of Blockbuster Plots: Pure & Simple
Book Review: My True North and Clear Focus for Writing
Summary: 5 Stars
Martha Alderson's Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple was the "Rosetta Stone" for me! My writing process (for too many years prior to Martha), was to start at the beginning and flow through to the end ... and time after time, the first chapter was endlessly rewritten and the conclusion NEVER arrived ... and the scope of the project defeated me. I turned to writing non-fiction articles. BUT THEN I was directed to this book and the world of writing completely changed. Did I say completely? Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple brilliantly presents the novel as a series of scenes and identifies seven elements to each scene! It just all came together so very clearly ... I got it, thanks to Martha ... and yes, so did my first novel! This is a very unique book and if you truly want to write your novel, rush to this book, savor the process, and celebrate a wonderfully rejuvenated writing experience!
Book Review: An Essential Book on Plot to Utilize Both the Left and Right Side of Your Brain
Summary: 5 Stars
Martha Alderson's blockbuster plot works- as the title says- pure and simple. I have published two non-fiction books and one has gone through three editions. I have a new non-fiction book coming out in October . Martha allows you to use your the left side of your brain- what we in the aging field call your executive function-- and follow a system to create a plot. It is more than rules -it is an organized yet organic system that is logical and intuitive at the same time. I have used her method for my newest book, a novel. Although I had a great editor, when I discovered Martha ,my whole approach to fiction and plot changed and I could use both the left side of my brain to plot and the right side to let my creative muse flow. My novel just caught fire in my head -yet I could control it through Alderson's system of plot. I would recommend this book to any writer.
Book Review: No plot is a BIG problem
Summary: 5 Stars
Any artist worth their salt has to have a solid working understanding of the rules of their craft. A painter has to know about brushes, colors, shapes, lines and light. An oboe player has to know how to cut a reed in addition to learning to read music and play with others in the orchestra. For some reason, though, writers seem to start out thinking they don't need to know anything more than how to put words together, that the story will simply come out of their imaginations full-fleged and wonderful.
Baloney.
Whether you're just starting your novel, or working on the third draft, you need this book. Ms. Alderson has a great system to teach writers the complex struture of good plots. She's also an incredible teacher. If you get a chance to come to California or to attend a writers conference where she'll be speaking, I highly recommend her class.
Book Review: Inspirational
Summary: 5 Stars
I own many books on the craft of writing fiction, but this book has become the definitive book on plot for me. I refer to this resource constantly, both for help at the scene level and at the overall story level.
Most books on writing fiction, if they deal with plot at all, approach plot with a very narrow focus. Alderson "shows" plot as not just what happens with the action, but what happens to the character and what that means to the overall thematic meaning of the story itself.
Alderson makes concrete that which is generally presented as extremely abstract. She gives practical directions that can be applied to my work directly after every single time I refer to any section in her book.
I cannot say enough postive things about this book. I appreciate the contribution she has made the world of writers.
Book Review: A best-selling author who loves this book!
Summary: 5 Stars
Some writers make plot seem effortless. It's not. This book gives you a step by step plan (which is what I need when I get stuck)and great examples. It shows you how to map out the three crucial pieces of your puzzle and coaches you along for the rest of the ride.
I like the templates and it's very "How To" frankness. This book obviously understands that one of the main reasons we get stuck is that we get stressed out about getting stuck!
I'm working now on my second novel and the pressure's on! This book helped me see that even without all the answers I can still do the work. By doing the assignments in the book, the answers begin to fall into place.
Jennifer Solow
Author of THE BOOSTER