If you are wanting to take a deep dive into character development and really start to understand the role your character might have on your overall story plot, this book provides a range of exercises to work through.
Goodreads Review:
The JLM Book Club reviewed this book in February 2024. We decided to give this book a rating of 3.5, because we felt that its usefulness warranted more than a 3, but the negatives of the book meant that it wasn't quite a 4.
This book is NOT for the newer writer. To get the most out of this book, you need to be comfortable AND confident with story structure before reading this book. In addition, you need to understand your own writing process (whether you are a plotter or a panster or somewhere in between). At times, the tone used within the writing can be considered as belittling. While we feel that this wasn't the intent, those who are not English majors should keep in mind that this is not a personal attack. This book also focused on literary fiction, dismissing the merits of commercial fiction.
This book is ideal for those who would like to take a deeper dive into character development and the role the character has on the overall story. The exercises presented in the book are designed to encourage you to focus on your character's motivations (wants and needs). This book also encourages you to dive into antagonist characters and minor characters (like the sidekick and love interest). However, this book focuses on character. If your story has a non-character antagonist (such as "man vs weather" stories), you will struggle with the protagonist-vs-antagonist-interplay exercises.
The BW Book Club felt that this would be best read as a companion book for more experienced writers, helping you to develop your B-story of your novels with the more character-driven feel.
John Truby is one of the most respected and sought-after story consultants in the film industry, and his students have gone on to pen some of Hollywood’s most successful films, including Sleepless in Seattle, Scream, and Shrek. The Anatomy of Story is his long-awaited first book, and it shares all his secrets for writing a compelling script. Based on the lessons in his award-winning class, Great Screenwriting, The Anatomy of Story draws on a broad range of philosophy and mythology, offering fresh techniques and insightful anecdotes alongside Truby’s own unique approach to building an effective, multifaceted narrative.
The Black Wolf Book Club read this book for our February 2024 meeting. As a group, we decided to recommend this book, but with a lot of caveats.
- This book is NOT for new writers.
- You need to be comfortable AND confident with story structure before reading this book, as this book will likely confuse you on the basic story structure.
- Readers should recognize that this book is for character development and understanding the character’s influence on the story.
- Plotters can use this book as a guide within their character development.
- Pansters can use the exercises and concepts in the book during their editorial process, assessing what is written.
- Readers shouldn’t feel afraid to skip over whole sections.
- At times, the tone used within the writing can be considered as belittling. While we feel that this wasn’t the intent, those who are not English majors should keep in mind that this is not a personal attack.