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Title: How to Tell a Story: The Secrets of Writing Captivating Tales by Peter Rubie, Gary Provost ISBN: 0-89879-809-4 Publisher: Writers Digest Books Pub. Date: July, 1998 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $17.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (4 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Pretty Good
Comment: This book was written by the very capable Peter Rubie, drawing on the instruction of the late writing teacher Gary Provost (died 1995). It's a unique read, ultimately, as you feel like you're getting into the mind of two authors.
I've read a lot of books on writing. And I must admit, I usually start each new one a little pig-headed, almost challenging it to teach me something new. But I've only finished one that left me feeling disappointed, and it wasn't this one. So, maybe I'm biased. Or maybe these books are as good as we all hope.
How To Tell A Story, at first, seemed a little basic. I felt like I'd seen it all before: been there, read that. But then the author took hold, and I was his. Chapter by chapter, he tackles all of the major elements of writing a story, and he does so clearly. The goal of reading books on writing is to get many different perspectives on the same material until it sinks in.
How many times have I finished a such a book and eagerly sat down at my keyboard to put the advice to work, only to somehow miss the point and turn out [bad]fiction anyway?
Rubie's book is a fine refresher course, not centering on one aspect too closely--but closely enough!
After reading How To Tell A Story, a holism of sorts had sunk in, much like when you change a car tire. You don't tighten the bolts one at a time. You tighten one, then the one opposite it, then the one to the right, then to the left. You get those bolts in place in an act of totality.
In other words, you're not getting, with this book, three unbalanced chapters on how to write scenes, two on characterization, four on setting. It's structured and clear.
You get a rational treatment of many areas without feeling short-changed in any of them.
For my own plight, I realized I was having problems with story structure. Rubie helped that. He gives what he calls the Gary Provost Paragraph that essentially describes 90% of the stories (successful stories) ever written. "Once upon a time SOMETHING HAPPENED to someone, and he decided he would pursue a goal." The paragraph goes on, giving a generic story that, at the same time, shows basic story structure. I found that simply by replacing his generic elements with specifics from the story I'm working on ("Once upon a time, Jen's father struck her, and she decided she would get him out of this abusive life.") my story became clearer, its weaknesses clearer. I could see all the holes in my plot.
Now, many of you are thinking, "Writing ain't a formula. This ain't no ad-lib, you know!"
No, it isn't, writing isn't. But many of you who are thinking that way might still be producing rambling fiction that reaches the end bluntly, no point, no escalating action or causal events.
Rubie's instruction will show you how to fix your opus. He helps you come up with ideas. He helps you understand the importance of writing for genres. He shows you hooking your readers and keeping them interested, shows you giving your characters goals, shows you making the most out of your scenes, and more.
It's a general book in that it doesn't single out any fictional element as larger than the rest. Every chapter deals with one step of the process. How To Tell A Story is great for beginners, and, as the back cover says, great for pros who might have forgotten a couple of the basics.
That's my problem. Centering too much on one element at the cost of another.
This book smooths it all out.
Rating: 5
Summary: A toolbox for expression
Comment: Writers live in a world where the right tools and skills can make the difference between surviving in a hovel and living in a comfortable home. 'How to Tell a Story" is a book that brings many of these skills and tools together in a useful format. Like a painter looking for just the right brush and stoke, I used the ideas and guidelines presented to help finalize my own book, which I'm happy to say is now being published (with minimum 'editing'). Highly recommended.
Rating: 3
Summary: Too many rules and regulations.
Comment: We live in a world of rules and regulations, I would like to think that writing is above all that, that authors can write from the heart and spontaneously. Of course, if we wish to be published, we cannot ignore some of the guidelines in this book. In that aspect, the book is helpful and truly has some wonderful ideas and things to keep in mind that may help you get your book published. My hope is that it does not deter the aspiring writer from plunging on from the heart, since a lot of what this book has to say can be daunting. At times I felt myself being drawn into worry that my own manuscript would fall way short of all these "have to" rules, and I would never be able to remember all this and incorporate it into my own story. If you keep in mind that all this information is to guide and not set in stone, then the book is very helpful, the exercises given are strong and will assist your writing efforts, and you will learn much from this book. I much prefer the book "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg for new authors, but you will glean some helpful insight here as well.
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Title: Comedy Writing Secrets by Melvin Helitzer, Mel Helitzer ISBN: 0898795109 Publisher: Writers Digest Books Pub. Date: March, 1992 List Price(USD): $16.99 |
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Title: Palm Reading: A Little Guide to Life's Secrets by Dennis Fairchild ISBN: 156138626X Publisher: Running Press Pub. Date: September, 1995 List Price(USD): $4.95 |
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Title: Handwriting Analysis by Karen Kristin Amend, Karen S. Amend, Mary S. Ruiz ISBN: 087877050X Publisher: New Page Books Pub. Date: September, 1986 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
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Title: Body Language by Julius Fast ISBN: 0671673254 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 15 May, 1988 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: How to Make Love to a Woman by Michael Morgenstern ISBN: 0517605252 Publisher: Gramercy Pub. Date: 05 January, 1989 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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