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gsanta1's review against another edition
1.0
Basic stuff you already.
Author has some questionable comments like Beast from Beauty and the Beast did nothing wrong.
He says some things about Stoker’s Dracula that aren’t textually based.
There’s also a lot of quotes from different Psalms, which is a good red flag.
The author also mischaracterizes details from the Orpheus story.
The author says every love story has an aggressive “seeker”.
The author presents examples that don’t match their checklist or guidelines.
One overarching problem comes from the author basing most plots on folk tales from the middle-ages so they can never get passed the moralistic elements of old stories.
The author also makes a lot of obscure film references that I only know because I went to film school. How many people have seen the first French Connection to understand his references?
The author instructs you to write similarly to middle-age romances or Grimm folklore, but really, you don’t have to.
Author has some questionable comments like Beast from Beauty and the Beast did nothing wrong.
He says some things about Stoker’s Dracula that aren’t textually based.
There’s also a lot of quotes from different Psalms, which is a good red flag.
The author also mischaracterizes details from the Orpheus story.
The author says every love story has an aggressive “seeker”.
The author presents examples that don’t match their checklist or guidelines.
One overarching problem comes from the author basing most plots on folk tales from the middle-ages so they can never get passed the moralistic elements of old stories.
The author also makes a lot of obscure film references that I only know because I went to film school. How many people have seen the first French Connection to understand his references?
The author instructs you to write similarly to middle-age romances or Grimm folklore, but really, you don’t have to.
bootman's review against another edition
5.0
I read and write non-fiction, but I'm always trying to improve my writing style. I've always felt like my weak point is storytelling, and that's why I picked up this book. I've seen this book referenced by quite a few non-fiction writers when discussing the power of storytelling, and now I know why. This is a great book if you want to learn the formulas for various styles of plots. This is a must-read for fiction writers, but I think it's also great for non-fiction writers like myself who want to become better storytellers.
leahegood's review against another edition
2.0
Okay as writing books go, but I didn't learn a ton and the chapters felt repetitive quickly. I'm sure other writers would enjoy this more. Just wasn't for me.
coffegrrl's review against another edition
informative
3.0
Very useful blueprints of plots, but unbelievably dated worldview in the section about moral forces (particularly concerning domestic abuse), and very disparaging about the romance genre.
joradora's review against another edition
2.0
He repeats himself a LOT; it can get very redundant at times, making it a slow read.
figthefruit's review against another edition
3.0
Solid read. Helps identify the type of plots you might use particularly in the early stages of developing your story. It can be a bit outdated at times, for example, the author discusses queer romance under forbidden love for about two paragraphs in a slightly judgy/negative tone and that's it. A good place to start thinking and clarifying plot for your story.