btinternet's review
4.0
This book uses some interesting examples to frame a new way of looking at repeating motifs/themes in stories, and how to manipulate them for more impact. I found the concept a little challenging at first, but by the end I think I had a pretty good grasp of the concept and will definitely be trying it on my next book.
marlan's review
4.0
Book Architecture is not going to go over the purpose of a scene or how to create good dialogue. It's not going to inspire writing hopefuls to pick up a pen and start their first story. It doesn't even have a diagram of the hero's journey. It simply offers a new technique for writers wrestling with the structure of their book.
Horwitz explores the concept of a recurring element (which he calls a "series") and the various ways it can be used to tighten up a story. While most writers probably have already used recurring elements in their stories subconsciously, this book brings it to the forefront and shows how to use this concept as part of our writing tool kits.
The book is more of an instructional manual--explaining three practical ways to use recurring elements, giving examples of each, and getting out before the 200-page mark. It may feel like a letdown for anyone who was expecting more of traditional how-to-write book. But the examples have serious street cred - author-written "series grids" (a way to chart recurring elements) for [b:Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix|2|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387141547s/2.jpg|2809203] and [b:Catch-22|168668|Catch-22|Joseph Heller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463157317s/168668.jpg|814330], as well as grids for The Social Network screenplay and [b:The Metamorphosis|485894|The Metamorphosis|Franz Kafka|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1359061917s/485894.jpg|2373750].
I'm already catching myself spotting recurring elements in my work, and thinking about how to use them more effectively. If all the "Character arc! Rising climax!" writing books have lost their shine, this is worth checking out.
Horwitz explores the concept of a recurring element (which he calls a "series") and the various ways it can be used to tighten up a story. While most writers probably have already used recurring elements in their stories subconsciously, this book brings it to the forefront and shows how to use this concept as part of our writing tool kits.
The book is more of an instructional manual--explaining three practical ways to use recurring elements, giving examples of each, and getting out before the 200-page mark. It may feel like a letdown for anyone who was expecting more of traditional how-to-write book. But the examples have serious street cred - author-written "series grids" (a way to chart recurring elements) for [b:Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix|2|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)|J.K. Rowling|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387141547s/2.jpg|2809203] and [b:Catch-22|168668|Catch-22|Joseph Heller|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463157317s/168668.jpg|814330], as well as grids for The Social Network screenplay and [b:The Metamorphosis|485894|The Metamorphosis|Franz Kafka|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1359061917s/485894.jpg|2373750].
I'm already catching myself spotting recurring elements in my work, and thinking about how to use them more effectively. If all the "Character arc! Rising climax!" writing books have lost their shine, this is worth checking out.
suzanne's review
4.0
This book revolutionized the way I organize and evaluate story beats in my head, throughout a novel, throughout an act, throughout every individual chapter.
I had to finish each part of this book to connect all the dots most effectively, which was a minor slog, but it's paid off immensely. Now my own planning is intuitive, productive, and simple. It's benefited my writing much more than expected, totally switching up my story structure, moving chapters around, adding and subtracting characters and emotional moments. All decisions made swiftly and with care, alongside new-found confidence and understanding.
My story's climax (something I've struggled with a long time) has never been stronger. And it's never been so easy to organize all the moving parts of the story and have immediate visibility into the flaws and strengths. Stuart Horwitz has given me an instinctual sense for what needs improving and what needs amplifying, and most importantly: how exactly to do that.
I had to finish each part of this book to connect all the dots most effectively, which was a minor slog, but it's paid off immensely. Now my own planning is intuitive, productive, and simple. It's benefited my writing much more than expected, totally switching up my story structure, moving chapters around, adding and subtracting characters and emotional moments. All decisions made swiftly and with care, alongside new-found confidence and understanding.
My story's climax (something I've struggled with a long time) has never been stronger. And it's never been so easy to organize all the moving parts of the story and have immediate visibility into the flaws and strengths. Stuart Horwitz has given me an instinctual sense for what needs improving and what needs amplifying, and most importantly: how exactly to do that.
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