-
The Secrets of Story
- Innovative Tools for Perfecting Your Fiction and Captivating Readers
- Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer
- Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins
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The Secrets of Story
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Publisher's summary
The Secrets of Story is a revolutionary and comprehensive writing guide for the 21st century, focused on clever ways to get an audience to fully identify with an all-too-human hero. Authors will learn to how to cut through pop culture noise and win over a jaded modern audience by rediscovering the heart of writing: shaping stories that ring true to our shared understanding of human nature. Providing conversational advice that spans multiple disciplines - from fiction to film to creative nonfiction - Matt Bird's insightful techniques allow characters to come alive and stories to reach a new level of appeal.
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The hardest yet most essential element of writing great fiction is character—specifically, creating a central hero who is relatable, compelling, and worth the audience's precious time. In this entertaining and practical guide, popular blogger, writing coach and screenwriter Matt Bird breaks down what makes characters embraceable and unforgettable, and presents insider tips and tricks for writers of all levels and genres.
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4 out of 5 stars
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There are three kinds of feelings when reading a story: boredom, interest, and wow! To become a successful writer, you must create the wow feeling on as many pages as possible, and this requires writing that engages the reader emotionally. In his best-selling book, screenwriter Karl Iglesias explored the working habits of A-list Hollywood scribes. Now, he breaks new ground by focusing on the psychology of the reader.
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While writers might disagree over showing versus telling or plotting versus pantsing, none would argue this: If you want to write strong fiction, you must make your readers feel. The reader's experience must be an emotional journey of its own, one as involving as your characters' struggles, discoveries, and triumphs are for you. That's where The Emotional Craft of Fiction comes in. Veteran literary agent and expert fiction instructor Donald Maass shows you how to use story to provoke a visceral and emotional experience in readers.
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 722
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Have you written a story with an exciting concept and interesting characters - but it just isn't grabbing the attention of readers or agents? It's time to look deeper into the story beats that create realistic and compelling character arcs. Internationally published, award-winning novelist K.M. Weiland shares her acclaimed method for achieving memorable and moving character arcs in every book you write.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Don't waste your time
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The Secrets of Character
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- Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 65
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 49
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 48
The hardest yet most essential element of writing great fiction is character—specifically, creating a central hero who is relatable, compelling, and worth the audience's precious time. In this entertaining and practical guide, popular blogger, writing coach and screenwriter Matt Bird breaks down what makes characters embraceable and unforgettable, and presents insider tips and tricks for writers of all levels and genres.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 200
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 164
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 164
While writers might disagree over showing versus telling or plotting versus pantsing, none would argue this: If you want to write strong fiction, you must make your readers feel. The reader's experience must be an emotional journey of its own, one as involving as your characters' struggles, discoveries, and triumphs are for you. That's where The Emotional Craft of Fiction comes in. Veteran literary agent and expert fiction instructor Donald Maass shows you how to use story to provoke a visceral and emotional experience in readers.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Read this if you're a writer
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 630
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 617
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Following up his perennially best-selling writers' guide Story and his inspiring exploration of the art of verbal action in Dialogue, the most sought-after expert in the storytelling brings his insights to the creation of compelling characters and the design of their casts. Character explores the design of a character universe: The dimensionality, complexity and arcing of a protagonist, the invention of orbiting major characters, all encircled by a cast of service and supporting roles.
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5 out of 5 stars
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I question whether Robert wrote it
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Story Genius
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 267
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It's every novelist's greatest fear: pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into writing hundreds of pages only to realize that their story has no sense of urgency, no internal logic, and so is a page-one rewrite. The prevailing wisdom in the writing community is that there are just two ways around this problem: pantsing (winging it) and plotting (focusing on the external plot).
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2 out of 5 stars
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As a fantasy writer, this book was not for me.
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Dialogue
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 712
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In Dialogue, Robert McKee offers in-depth analysis for how characters speak on the screen, on the stage, and on the page in believable and engaging ways. From Macbeth to Breaking Bad, McKee deconstructs key scenes to illustrate the strategies and techniques of dialogue. Dialogue applies a framework of incisive thinking to instruct the prospective writer on how to craft artful, impactful speech.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Not suited for audio
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On Writing
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 15,187
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“Long live the King” hailed Entertainment Weekly upon publication of Stephen King’s On Writing. Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer’s craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have. King’s advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, near-fatal accident in 1999—and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Who needs a print edition when King reads King?
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How to Write Dazzling Dialogue
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 286
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 228
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There is one sure-fire way of improving your novel fast...You may know the fundamentals of how to write fiction. You may be more than competent in plot, structure and characters. But if your dialogue is dull it will drag the whole story down...Don't sabotage your chances of selling your work to readers or publishers because the dialogue is unexceptional. Dazzle them with what the characters say. How to Write Dazzling Dialogue will give you the tools to do it.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Good course, subpar audio quality
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Writing Creative Nonfiction
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 719
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 627
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Bringing together the imaginative strategies of fiction storytelling and new ways of narrating true, real-life events, creative nonfiction is the fastest-growing part of the creative writing world. It's a cutting-edge genre that's reshaping how we write (and read) everything from biographies and memoirs to blogs and public speaking scripts to personal essays and magazine articles.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Not what I expected but useful
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Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 674
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 558
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There's a mantra real writers know but wannabe writers don’t. And the secret phrase is this: "Nobody wants to read your shit." Recognizing this painful truth is the first step in the writer's transformation from amateur to professional.
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5 out of 5 stars
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How to get over the mediocre part of yourself
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Write Your Novel from the Middle
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 350
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 299
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 296
what if it's not the beginning or the end that is the key to a successful book? What if, amazing as it may seem, the place to begin writing your novel is in the very middle of the story? According to writing teacher James Scott Bell, that's exactly where you'll find your story's heart and heat. Bell's "Mirror Moment" is the secret, and its power is available to any writer, at any stage of the writing process...Bell presents a truly unique approach to writing a novel, one that will stand the test of time and serve you all your writing life.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Bell's excellent advice, less well conveyed
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Story
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- Narrated by: Robert McKee
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- Abridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,236
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,491
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,456
Robert McKee's screenwriting workshops have earned him an international reputation for inspiring novices, refining works in progress, and putting major screenwriting careers back on track. Quincy Jones, Diane Keaton, Gloria Steinem, Julia Roberts, John Cleese, and David Bowie are just a few of his celebrity alumni. Writers, producers, development executives, and agents all flock to his lecture series, praising it as a mesmerizing and intense learning experience.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Only 5 Chapters
- By Stephen Buck on 02-15-11
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How to Write Best-Selling Fiction
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- Narrated by: James Scott Bell
- Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 837
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 694
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Story5 out of 5 stars 681
Most people think the way to write a best seller is to have a lot of talent and even more luck. As you will learn, there is a recipe for success, and luck may be the least important ingredient in creating a best seller. No one has cracked the code better than James Scott Bell. A best-selling author himself, and the author of the number-one best seller for writers, Plot & Structure, Mr. Bell has been teaching the principles of best-selling fiction for over 20 years, principles that apply to any genre or style.
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5 out of 5 stars
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I'm a writer and this course is to blame.
- By accentrique on 07-22-19
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Outlining Your Novel
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- By: K. M. Weiland
- Narrated by: Sonja Field
- Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 551
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 480
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 473
Let outlines help you write a better book! Writers often look upon outlines with fear and trembling. But when properly understood and correctly wielded, the outline is one of the most powerful weapons in a writer's arsenal.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Doesn't explain how to outline
- By Nothing really matters on 01-28-16
By: K. M. Weiland
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Murder Your Darlings
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 126
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 107
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 103
With so many excellent writing guides lining bookstore shelves, it can be hard to know where to look for the best advice. Should you go with Natalie Goldberg or Anne Lamott? Maybe William Zinsser or Stephen King would be more appropriate. Then again, what about the classics - Strunk and White, or even Aristotle himself? In Murder Your Darlings, Roy Peter Clark, who has been a beloved and revered writing teacher to children and Pulitzer Prize winners alike for more than 30 years, has compiled a remarkable collection of more than 100 of the best writing tips.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Surprisingly engaging
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Featured Article: The 10 Best Audiobooks on Writing
National Novel Writing Month—or NaNoWriMo—is the one time every year you can be totally obsessed with your novel, live knee-deep inside your own stories, and no one can say anything about it! It is, in short, a creative writer's dream (or nightmare, depending on how well you write under pressure). From fantastical epics to realistic shorts to flash-fiction, we each have our own wonderful story to tell. This carefully selected list of the best audiobooks on writing will help you access your inner writer and get your story on the page.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Don't waste your time
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,236
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Robert McKee's screenwriting workshops have earned him an international reputation for inspiring novices, refining works in progress, and putting major screenwriting careers back on track. Quincy Jones, Diane Keaton, Gloria Steinem, Julia Roberts, John Cleese, and David Bowie are just a few of his celebrity alumni. Writers, producers, development executives, and agents all flock to his lecture series, praising it as a mesmerizing and intense learning experience.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Slayers & Vampires
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 44
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 36
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 35
Two decades after its groundbreaking debut, millions of fans worldwide remain enthralled with the incredible exploits of Joss Whedon's Buffy Summers as well as Angel. Now, go behind the scenes of these legendary series that ushered in the new Golden Age of Television, with the candid recollections of writers, creators, executives, programmers, critics, and cast members. Together they unveil the oftentimes shocking true story of how a failed motion picture became an acclaimed cult television series.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Too much Joss schmoozing, too little new info
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Directing Actors
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 148
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In this essential guide to acting, internationally renowned directing coach Judith Weston demonstrates what constitutes a good performance, what actors want from a director, and what directors do wrong. She also goes over script analysis and preparation and how actors work, and she shares important and helpful insights into the director/actor relationship.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Directing Humans
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The Making of Outlander: The Series
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 129
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 117
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It was only a matter of time before Diana Gabaldon's best-selling Outlander saga made the leap from book to hit TV series, and the millions of readers captivated by the epic romance of Claire Beauchamp Randall and Jamie Fraser have eagerly followed. Now the must-watch drama has inspired this must-have guide, which reveals that it takes a village (or perhaps a Scottish isle) to bring the breathtaking world of Outlander to life in front of our eyes.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Better To Get The Book
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Hero on a Mission
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 661
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 563
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 563
There are four characters in every story: the victim, the villain, the hero, and the guide. These four characters live inside us. If we play the victim, we’re doomed to fail. If we play the villain, we will not create genuine bonds. But if we play the hero or guide, our lives will flourish. The hard part is being self-aware enough to know which character we are playing. In this book, Donald will use his own experiences to help you recognize if the character you are currently surfacing is helping you experience a life of meaning.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Modern & Practical Spin on Viktor Frankl’s Work
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Save the Cat!
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,765
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,431
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1 out of 5 stars
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Robert McKee's screenwriting workshops have earned him an international reputation for inspiring novices, refining works in progress, and putting major screenwriting careers back on track. Quincy Jones, Diane Keaton, Gloria Steinem, Julia Roberts, John Cleese, and David Bowie are just a few of his celebrity alumni. Writers, producers, development executives, and agents all flock to his lecture series, praising it as a mesmerizing and intense learning experience.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Slayers & Vampires
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 36
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 35
Two decades after its groundbreaking debut, millions of fans worldwide remain enthralled with the incredible exploits of Joss Whedon's Buffy Summers as well as Angel. Now, go behind the scenes of these legendary series that ushered in the new Golden Age of Television, with the candid recollections of writers, creators, executives, programmers, critics, and cast members. Together they unveil the oftentimes shocking true story of how a failed motion picture became an acclaimed cult television series.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Too much Joss schmoozing, too little new info
- By Onalee on 02-05-21
By: Mark A. Altman, and others
-
Directing Actors
- By: Judith Weston
- Narrated by: Judith Weston
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 185
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 148
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 147
In this essential guide to acting, internationally renowned directing coach Judith Weston demonstrates what constitutes a good performance, what actors want from a director, and what directors do wrong. She also goes over script analysis and preparation and how actors work, and she shares important and helpful insights into the director/actor relationship.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Directing Humans
- By Jacob Moore on 10-15-19
By: Judith Weston
-
The Making of Outlander: The Series
- The Official Guide to Seasons One & Two
- By: Tara Bennett
- Narrated by: Tiffany Morgan
- Length: 5 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 129
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 117
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 115
It was only a matter of time before Diana Gabaldon's best-selling Outlander saga made the leap from book to hit TV series, and the millions of readers captivated by the epic romance of Claire Beauchamp Randall and Jamie Fraser have eagerly followed. Now the must-watch drama has inspired this must-have guide, which reveals that it takes a village (or perhaps a Scottish isle) to bring the breathtaking world of Outlander to life in front of our eyes.
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3 out of 5 stars
-
Better To Get The Book
- By Eugenia on 05-30-17
By: Tara Bennett
-
Hero on a Mission
- A Path to a Meaningful Life
- By: Donald Miller
- Narrated by: Donald Miller
- Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 661
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 563
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 563
There are four characters in every story: the victim, the villain, the hero, and the guide. These four characters live inside us. If we play the victim, we’re doomed to fail. If we play the villain, we will not create genuine bonds. But if we play the hero or guide, our lives will flourish. The hard part is being self-aware enough to know which character we are playing. In this book, Donald will use his own experiences to help you recognize if the character you are currently surfacing is helping you experience a life of meaning.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Modern & Practical Spin on Viktor Frankl’s Work
- By BenjaminClark on 04-11-22
By: Donald Miller
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Shock Value
- How a Few Eccentric Outsiders Gave Us Nightmares, Conquered Hollywood, and Invented Modern Horror
- By: Jason Zinoman
- Narrated by: Pete Larkin
- Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 300
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 261
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 262
Much has been written about the storied New Hollywood of the 1970s, but while Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Francis Ford Coppola were making their first classic movies, a parallel universe of directors gave birth to the modern horror film - aggressive, raw, and utterly original. Based on unprecedented access to the genre's major players, New York Times critic Jason Zinoman's Shock Value delivers the first definitive account of horror's golden age.
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4 out of 5 stars
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A good listen, but narrow in scope
- By Billy on 01-31-13
By: Jason Zinoman
-
The Secret Life of the American Musical
- How Broadway Shows Are Built
- By: Jack Viertel
- Narrated by: David Pittu
- Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 256
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 230
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 230
For almost a century, Americans have been losing their hearts and losing their minds in an insatiable love affair with the American musical. It often begins in actors and reaches its passionate zenith when it comes time for love, marriage, and children, who will start the cycle all over again. Americans love musicals. Americans invented musicals. Americans perfected musicals. But what, exactly, is a musical?
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4 out of 5 stars
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Great review lacked music
- By joseph f mcgovern on 10-14-18
By: Jack Viertel
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Big Magic
- Creative Living Beyond Fear
- By: Elizabeth Gilbert
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Gilbert
- Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 26,724
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 23,438
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 23,292
People of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. Now this beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Biggest Inspiration In a Long Time
- By Gillian on 09-23-15
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Finding Your Own North Star
- Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live
- By: Martha Beck
- Narrated by: Karen White
- Length: 14 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 442
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 387
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 379
As the creator of Life Designs, Inc., Martha Beck has helped hundreds of clients find their own North Stars and figure out how to fulfill their potential and create joyful lives through her lectures, seminars, and one-on-one counseling. In this book she shares her step-by-step program that will guide you to fulfill your own potential.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Narration not for me
- By MARYANN ORDONEZ on 10-02-17
By: Martha Beck
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The Art of Fiction
- By: Ayn Rand
- Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin
- Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 218
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 133
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 129
Ayn Rand discusses how a writer combines abstract ideas with concrete action and description to achieve a unity of theme, plot, characterization, and style, the four essential elements of fiction. Here, too, are Rand's illuminating analyses of passages from famous writers, rewrites of scenes from her own works, and fascinating rules for building dramatic plots and characters with depth.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Get Stein on Writing
- By Lois on 12-04-09
By: Ayn Rand
-
The Simpsons
- An Uncensored, Unauthorized History
- By: John Ortved
- Narrated by: John Allen Nelson, Justine Eyre
- Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 150
-
Performance3.5 out of 5 stars 104
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 104
John Ortved's oral history is the first-ever look behind the scenes at the creation and day-to-day running of the television phenomenon known as The Simpsons, as told by many of the people who produce it.
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2 out of 5 stars
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Great Content, Awful Reading
- By JH Easton on 03-13-11
By: John Ortved
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Age of Cage
- Four Decades of Hollywood Through One Singular Career
- By: Keith Phipps
- Narrated by: Keith Sellon-Wright
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 48
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 41
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 40
Nicolas Cage is many things, but love him, or laugh at him, there's no denying two things: You've seen one of his many films, and you certainly know his name. But who is he, really, and why has his career endured for over 40 years, with more than a hundred films, and birthed a million memes? Age of Cage is a smart, beguiling book about the films of Nicolas Cage and the actor himself, as well as a sharp-eyed examination of the changes that have taken place in Hollywood over the course of his career.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Excellent filmography of a successful career
- By Pamela Plimpton on 04-04-22
By: Keith Phipps
-
Doctor Who
- A History
- By: Alan Kistler
- Narrated by: Alan Kistler
- Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 76
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 68
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 68
Premiering the day after the JFK assassination, Doctor Who humbly launched one of the entertainment world's first super-brands. We begin with a look at TV programming of the day and the original pitch documents before delving into the Daleks, which almost didn't make the cut but inspired many monsters to follow. After three years, First Doctor William Hartnell left, prompting the BBC to recast their hit rather than end it, giving us the first "regeneration" and making TV history.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Not a Good Reference, a Good Springboard
- By SAMA on 12-16-13
By: Alan Kistler
-
Significant Zero
- Heroes, Villains, and the Fight for Art and Soul in Video Games
- By: Walt Williams
- Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins
- Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 190
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 177
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 177
When his satirical musings in a college newspaper got him discharged from the Air Force, it became clear to Walt Williams that his destiny in life was to be a writer - he just never thought he'd end up writing video games, let alone working on some of the most successful franchises in the industry - Bioshock, Civilization, Borderlands, and Mafia, among others. Williams pulls back the curtain on an astonishingly profitable industry that has put its stamp on pop culture and yet is little known to those outside its walls.
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1 out of 5 stars
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it's a bad autobiography not what the title says
- By Chelsea on 11-22-17
By: Walt Williams
-
Pictures at a Revolution
- Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood
- By: Mark Harris
- Narrated by: Lloyd James
- Length: 17 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 596
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 431
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 432
Here is the epic human drama behind the making of the five movies nominated for Best Picture in 1967 - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, The Graduate, In the Heat of the Night, Doctor Dolittle, and Bonnie and Clyde - and through them, the larger story of the cultural revolution that transformed Hollywood and America forever.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Would It Be Too Much To Ask?
- By Casey Keller on 12-31-08
By: Mark Harris
-
Accidental Genius
- Using Writing to Generate Your Best Ideas, Insight and Content
- By: Mark Levy
- Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
- Length: 4 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 638
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 487
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 478
When it comes to creating ideas, we hold ourselves back. Thats because inside each of us is an internal editor whose job is to forever polish our thoughts, so we sound smart and in control, and so that we fit into society. But what happens when we encounter problems for which such conventional thinking fails us? How do we get unstuck? For Mark Levy, the answer is freewriting....
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5 out of 5 stars
-
Great Ideas
- By Amazon Customer on 12-31-10
By: Mark Levy
-
The Stephen King Companion
- Four Decades of Fear from the Master of Horror
- By: George Beahm
- Narrated by: Fleet Cooper, Claire Christie
- Length: 24 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 77
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 67
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 66
The Stephen King Companion is an authoritative look at horror author King's personal life and professional career, from Carrie to The Bazaar of Bad Dreams. King expert George Beahm, who has published extensively about Maine's main author, is your seasoned guide to the imaginative world of Stephen King, covering his varied and prodigious output: juvenalia, short fiction, limited edition books, best-selling novels, and film adaptations.
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5 out of 5 stars
-
A Kingopedia: Books, Movies, Bio and Art
- By tru britty on 02-28-16
By: George Beahm
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- Beat by Beat to a Better Script
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 35
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No one comes out of a movie talking about structure. What audiences love and remember about a movie are great scenes. Marlon Brando in the back seat in On the Waterfront giving his "I could'a been a contender" speech. Meg Ryan's fake orgasm in Katz's Deli in When Harry Met Sally with the climactic punch line: "I'll have what she's having." In Superbad, Jonah Hill professing "I love you" to his friend Michael Cera by touching his nose with a "boop".
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2 out of 5 stars
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Abridged and censored- not the full book!
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 65
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The hardest yet most essential element of writing great fiction is character—specifically, creating a central hero who is relatable, compelling, and worth the audience's precious time. In this entertaining and practical guide, popular blogger, writing coach and screenwriter Matt Bird breaks down what makes characters embraceable and unforgettable, and presents insider tips and tricks for writers of all levels and genres.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Leave politics out of it.
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20 Master Plots
- And How to Build Them
- By: Ronald B. Tobias
- Narrated by: Barry Abrams
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 50
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The best stories linger in the hearts and minds of readers for decades. These tales gain their power through plots that connect with the audience on both an emotional and intellectual level. Ronald B. Tobias details these 20 time-tested plots. Each is discussed and analyzed, illustrating how a successful plot integrates all the elements of a story. Tobias then reveals how to use these plots effectively in your own work.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Some Good Ideas
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The Emotional Craft of Fiction
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- Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon
- Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 200
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 164
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 164
While writers might disagree over showing versus telling or plotting versus pantsing, none would argue this: If you want to write strong fiction, you must make your readers feel. The reader's experience must be an emotional journey of its own, one as involving as your characters' struggles, discoveries, and triumphs are for you. That's where The Emotional Craft of Fiction comes in. Veteran literary agent and expert fiction instructor Donald Maass shows you how to use story to provoke a visceral and emotional experience in readers.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Read this if you're a writer
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By: Donald Maass
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The Art of Creative Writing
- By: Lajos Egri
- Narrated by: Dennis Kleinman
- Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 21
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 18
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Story4 out of 5 stars 18
As practical as it is inspiring, The Art of Creative Writing remains a timeless, illuminating guide that teaches every writer, and aspiring writer, how to create works that are both compelling and enduring.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Raging misogynist
- By Jessica Estey on 10-18-24
By: Lajos Egri
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Writing Fiction, Tenth Edition
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 104
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A creative writer's shelf should hold at least three essential books: a dictionary, a style guide, and Writing Fiction. Janet Burroway's best-selling classic is the most widely used creative writing text in America, and for more than three decades, it has helped hundreds of thousands of students learn the craft.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Great content!
- By Noa on 09-20-19
By: Janet Burroway, and others
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The Craft of Scene Writing
- Beat by Beat to a Better Script
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 35
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No one comes out of a movie talking about structure. What audiences love and remember about a movie are great scenes. Marlon Brando in the back seat in On the Waterfront giving his "I could'a been a contender" speech. Meg Ryan's fake orgasm in Katz's Deli in When Harry Met Sally with the climactic punch line: "I'll have what she's having." In Superbad, Jonah Hill professing "I love you" to his friend Michael Cera by touching his nose with a "boop".
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2 out of 5 stars
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Abridged and censored- not the full book!
- By Jonathan on 10-02-20
By: Jim Mercurio
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The Secrets of Character
- Writing a Hero Anyone Will Love
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- Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer
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The hardest yet most essential element of writing great fiction is character—specifically, creating a central hero who is relatable, compelling, and worth the audience's precious time. In this entertaining and practical guide, popular blogger, writing coach and screenwriter Matt Bird breaks down what makes characters embraceable and unforgettable, and presents insider tips and tricks for writers of all levels and genres.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 50
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 46
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 45
The best stories linger in the hearts and minds of readers for decades. These tales gain their power through plots that connect with the audience on both an emotional and intellectual level. Ronald B. Tobias details these 20 time-tested plots. Each is discussed and analyzed, illustrating how a successful plot integrates all the elements of a story. Tobias then reveals how to use these plots effectively in your own work.
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3 out of 5 stars
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- Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon
- Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 200
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 164
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 164
While writers might disagree over showing versus telling or plotting versus pantsing, none would argue this: If you want to write strong fiction, you must make your readers feel. The reader's experience must be an emotional journey of its own, one as involving as your characters' struggles, discoveries, and triumphs are for you. That's where The Emotional Craft of Fiction comes in. Veteran literary agent and expert fiction instructor Donald Maass shows you how to use story to provoke a visceral and emotional experience in readers.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A creative writer's shelf should hold at least three essential books: a dictionary, a style guide, and Writing Fiction. Janet Burroway's best-selling classic is the most widely used creative writing text in America, and for more than three decades, it has helped hundreds of thousands of students learn the craft.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Great content!
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Story Engineering
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 44
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Performance3 out of 5 stars 37
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 38
The vast majority of writers begin the storytelling process with only a partial understanding of where to begin. Some labor their entire lives without ever learning that successful stories are as dependent upon good engineering as they are artistry. But the truth is, unless you are master of the form, function, and criteria of successful storytelling, sitting down and pounding out a first draft without planning is an ineffective way to begin. Story Engineering starts with the criteria and the architecture of storytelling, the engineering and design of a story....
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2 out of 5 stars
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dislike narrator voice/intonation, didnt get far
- By Khang Tran on 10-03-20
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Show, Don't Tell
- Writers Guide Series
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 11
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 10
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 10
Show, don't tell is probably the single most important piece of advice given to writers. But many writers struggle to understand this powerful principle or have difficulty applying it to their own work. Even experienced authors sometimes don't grasp the finer nuances of showing and telling. In this book, Sandra Gerth draws on her experience as an editor and a best-selling author to show you how to show and tell you when to tell.
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5 out of 5 stars
-
A Great Teaching Tool
- By Ann McCambridge on 10-06-22
By: Sandra Gerth
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Stein on Writing
- A Master Editor Shares His Craft, Techniques, and Strategies
- By: Sol Stein
- Narrated by: Christopher Lane
- Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,671
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,174
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,141
Stein on Writing provides immediately useful advice for writers of fiction and nonfiction, whether newcomers or accomplished professionals. As Sol Stein, renowned editor, author, and instructor, explains, "This is not a book of theory. It is a book of usable solutions, how to fix writing that is flawed, how to improve writing that is good, how to create interesting writing in the first place."
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5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent advice and examples for better writing.
- By Jane on 06-22-12
By: Sol Stein
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Pity the Reader
- On Writing with Style
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- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 114
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 96
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 96
Here is an entirely new side of Kurt Vonnegut, Vonnegut as a teacher of writing. Of course he's given us glimpses before, with aphorisms and short essays and articles and in his speeches. But never before has an entire book been devoted to Kurt Vonnegut the teacher. Here is pretty much everything Vonnegut ever said or wrote having to do with the writing art and craft, altogether a healing, a nourishing expedition.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Unlistenable
- By Grant Swalwell on 01-06-20
By: Kurt Vonnegut, and others
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27 Fiction Writing Blunders - And How Not To Make Them!
- By: James Scott Bell
- Narrated by: Virtual Voice
- Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 15
-
Performance3.5 out of 5 stars 14
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 14
Sell more books and build your career by kicking these blunders to the curb! Ever wonder why some books shoot to the top of the bestseller lists? And others that you think should, don't? It's usually a matter of mistakes that could have been avoided!#1 bestselling writing coach James Scott Bell has analyzed thousands of manuscripts over the years, by both new and experienced writers, and noticed certain errors that keep showing up to take readers out of the fictive dream. Now he's tackled the biggest offenders and shows you how to fix them. In 27 Fiction Writing Blunders you'll learn:* The ...
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3 out of 5 stars
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Ai can’t replace any voice actor
- By BAJ on 11-02-24
By: James Scott Bell
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Refuse to Be Done
- How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts
- By: Matt Bell
- Narrated by: Matthew Boston
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- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 45
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 38
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 38
They say writing is rewriting. So why does the second part get such short shrift? Refuse to Be Done will guide you through every step of the novel writing process, from getting started on those first pages to the last tips for making your final draft even tighter and stronger.
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4 out of 5 stars
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many great tips
- By lauren on 06-30-24
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The Author's Checklist
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- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 8
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 6
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 6
Over time, literary agent Elizabeth Kracht noticed that many submissions had similar problems, so she began to make a list of the pitfalls. She knew that even excellent projects could be rejected based on these surmountable issues because those on the receiving end of proposals most often don’t have the time to walk writers through needed adjustments. The checklist Kracht has created helps writers make their manuscripts good to go. It offers short, easy-to-implement bites of advice, illustrated by inspiring - and cautionary - real-world examples.
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Zen in the Art of Writing
- By: Ray Bradbury
- Narrated by: Jim Frangione
- Length: 3 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 479
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 422
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 420
"Every morning I jump out of bed and step on a land mine. The land mine is me. After the explosion, I spend the rest of the day putting the pieces back together. Now, it's your turn. Jump!" Zest. Gusto. Curiosity. These are the qualities every writer must have, as well as a spirit of adventure. In this exuberant book, the incomparable Ray Bradbury shares the wisdom, experience, and excitement of a lifetime of writing. Here are practical tips on the art of writing from a master of the craft - everything from finding original ideas to developing your own voice and style.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Evocative fuel for any Muse!
- By Amazon Customer on 03-22-18
By: Ray Bradbury
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Writing Creative Nonfiction
- By: Tilar J J. Mazzeo, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Tilar J J. Mazzeo
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 719
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 627
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Story4 out of 5 stars 620
Bringing together the imaginative strategies of fiction storytelling and new ways of narrating true, real-life events, creative nonfiction is the fastest-growing part of the creative writing world. It's a cutting-edge genre that's reshaping how we write (and read) everything from biographies and memoirs to blogs and public speaking scripts to personal essays and magazine articles.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Not what I expected but useful
- By Nancy on 04-14-14
By: Tilar J J. Mazzeo, and others
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The Fantasy Fiction Formula
- By: Deborah Chester
- Narrated by: Tanya Eby
- Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 94
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 72
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 72
There's more to writing a successful fantasy story than building a unique world or inventing a new type of magic. From the writing of strong, action-packed scenes to the creation of dynamic, multi-dimensional characters, fantasy author Deborah Chester guides novices and intermediate writers through a step-by-step process of story construction. Whether offering tips on how to test a plot premise or survive what she calls the dark dismal middle, Chester shares the techniques she uses in writing her own novels.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Ended up buying the paperback version
- By Brianna Burnings on 04-20-21
By: Deborah Chester
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The Seven Basic Plots
- Why We Tell Stories
- By: Christopher Booker
- Narrated by: Liam Gerrard
- Length: 38 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 69
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 59
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Story4 out of 5 stars 59
This remarkable and monumental book at last provides a comprehensive answer to the age-old riddle of whether there are only a small number of "basic stories" in the world. Using a wealth of examples, from ancient myths and folk tales via the plays and novels of great literature to the popular movies and TV soap operas of today, it reveals that there are seven archetypal themes which recur throughout every kind of storytelling.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Save your time and money, the book is worthless
- By Kindle Customer on 08-20-20
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Writing Life Stories
- How to Make Memories into Memoirs, Ideas into Essays and Life into Literature
- By: Bill Roorbach
- Narrated by: John McLain
- Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 9
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 6
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 6
From drawing a map of a remembered neighborhood to signing a form releasing yourself to take risks in your work, Roorbach offers innovative techniques that will trigger ideas for all writers. Writing Life Stories is a classic text that appears on countless creative nonfiction and composition syllabi the world over. This updated 10th anniversary edition gives you the same friendly instruction and stimulating exercises along with updated information on current memoir writing trends, ethics, internet research, and even marketing ideas.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Why oh why didn’t I find this book 50 years ago?
- By LauraVeronique on 12-08-23
By: Bill Roorbach
What listeners say about The Secrets of Story
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Daniel
- 07-26-17
I Have Become A Fortune Teller
What did you like best about this story?
I've become a fortune teller after reading this book. I was watching a movie the other day I'd never seen and could predict many of the clique plot points, twists and turns thanks to this book. Amazing book on the process of writing a good story. Didn't realize how formulaic writing is especially for movies and TV shows. Really explains why there are so many bad movies and TV shows out there. Think Transformers or almost every comic book movie.
Any additional comments?
Author gives reader a formula on how to write good work. Got me thinking may be there should be, quote, bad writing and we should be able to create, quote, bad TV shows, books, and movies. I was kind of off put on how structured the creative process is and that's seen as a good thing. I'm not so sure.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mike L Lane
- 07-07-17
Fantastic Reference Tool for Characters & Plot Dev
Matt Bird’s The Secrets of Story is the perfect book for any writer looking to tell a story whether they write novels, plays, screenplays, etc. I love to write and I’m always looking to improve my skills. Up until now, the only go-to book I ever used when it came to the craft was Stephen King’s On Writing. Matt Bird’s The Secrets of Story is just as good, dealing more with what makes for a good story more than anything. If you’re looking for tips on grammar and punctuation, this is not the book. But if you want to know what really appeals to audiences and what makes a good story tick, Bird dissects the formula for compelling stories and helps you to craft characters your audience will cling to. There are so many good pointers within this book, I couldn’t begin to nail them all for you in this review, but I will say this is a must have tool that I will refer to on a regular basis. Bird also provides worksheets and checklists on his website to help you better absorb what he is explaining and so you can see how your own fiction will hold up under scrutiny. This was another one of those books where I was iffy on the author also being the narrator, but in this case Bird does a superb job. He has a captivating voice and his stories are personable. There couldn’t be a better narrator for this book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- joey toledo
- 09-29-17
Great read!
Loved this book! I highly recommend to any writers or creators looking to learn the best way to craft a story, really insightful with many useful tools for story crafting.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Patrick N
- 01-31-23
Fantastic writer’s resource
If I had to choose one “on writing” book to give to a fellow aspiring writer, this might be it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- EC Moran
- 01-20-23
My new favorite primer on modern storytelling
Author, Matt Bird , delivers in spades both in teaching and in reminding us how to produce stories that sing on key (useful techniques) with heart (emotional resonance) and melody (memorable voice). I love his real-world examples which include his own personal testimonial on the significance of stories. I will be sure to tell everyone I know about this fabulous book as I plug away at my latest project, a middle grade graphic novel. Thank you to Matt Bird for sharing his story secrets.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jaye Murray
- 09-09-24
Succinct
Succinct. The outlined points encouraged me to explore aspect of the novel I am writing from new perspectives. Inspiring.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- rita v.
- 02-15-17
Best Book on Fiction I've Read So Far
Sorry, this book is so complete and simple at the same time so thorough I would have to write all morning. You will be happy to have discovered it.
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17 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 06-05-17
Worth every penny!
Where does The Secrets of Story rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I've purchased many books on writing but this one by far provided the most clarity to what makes a best seller and/or what subtleties make a story more believable. Thank you Matt Bird!
What did you like best about this story?
I wish I could absorb this book into my cells so I can carry this information into each sentence and chapter! I've listened several times and learn or realize something new each time. This by far is the most descriptive or most inspired book on writing I've found thus far.
What does Eric Michael Summerer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
He has a great voice and really seemed to "get" the topics or points expressed as if he was a writer himself.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
It made me gasp at the clear logic of the topic of writing a story so that everyone will want to read what you write.
Any additional comments?
I want more books by Matt Bird!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tyler
- 01-18-19
The Best in Show
Having read many, many books on the art of story, this one is hands down my favorite. It opened my eyes to all new ways of thinking about this seemingly-easy, yet dastardly-elusive task of story crafting.
I can’t recommend it highly enough.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Benjamin
- 07-13-17
This is a fiction writer's gospel.
I got this on a whim, but damn, was it a good buy!
I'm going to be referencing this book for ages.
Every chapter is packed with nuggets of truth, vividly describing the craft of storytelling.
You need this book! Get this book!
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1 person found this helpful