Comments on: Meet The Storyfixer

By: Michael T

Michael T — Fri, 11 May 2012 01:07:18 +0000

Thank you for answering my question.
I look forward to your next book “Advanced Story Engineering,” where you breakdown War and Peace, Ulysses, Paradise Lost, and Dante’s The Divine Comedy.

Until that time I will continue the determined march of becoming a better writer, and hopefully a published one in the years to come.

Besides your book (Story Engineering), which covers vital parts of writing which few other books even come close to doing, I wanted go give a quick shout out to another one of my favorite books on the craft.
Artful Sentences: Syntax as Style, by Virginia Tufte.
A hidden gem on an ignored subject, this book alongside yours should be in every would be writer’s bookcase.

Thx again for the reply.

By: Larry

Larry — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:55:58 +0000

@Michaell — a great question, and a can of worms. For sure, the underlying story physics (forces) are hard at work and very visible in the classic stories you mention, and others. As for structure, it’s there in some form, but often there are so many POVs and inciting incidents and even multiple plot points – or conversely, they are so subtle you barely notice them – that analysis is hard to nail, and challenge is easily mounted. I like to say that we should appreciate those novels, but not necessary hold them up to the light of architectural analysis with a view toward learning the basics. We don’t teach out kids painting by having them study Dali or Rembradt to discover the basic physics and structure of the art. Genius is almost always based on a foundation of solid basics, and from there, those basics become a variable that only works in the hands of one. Hope this helps! L,.

By: Michael T

Michael T — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:34:16 +0000

*What is the difference in these novels, perhaps more finesse?*

By: Michael T

Michael T — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:33:03 +0000

Having read enough books on writing as to be able to stack them three feet off the ground, I am a big fan of your book (Story Engineering), and think it is one of the best out there.
I have been applying your ideas while breaking down both movies and novels. It works well, but then I started wondering how it would stand up to the most brilliant and complex novels of all time.

Would it hold against East of Eden? A book with many points of view, (including omnipresent), and many story lines.

Where would the plot points be in a massive book like Shogun? Or Dune?

Wat is different in these novels, perhaps more finesse?

I would be very curious as to the answer.

Thank you

By: mike

mike — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:15:48 +0000

Are you doing ok?

By: Bryan Wiggins

Bryan Wiggins — Wed, 02 May 2012 00:19:04 +0000

Okay Larry, tired of banging my head on the rafters I’m nailing together, based on Story Engineering. I’m using your checklist to outline my scenes, but keep stumbling over the first two. Isn’t the mission of every scene “to drive the story forward?” and doesn’t it do this by delivering (optimally) a single piece of story exposition? I’m struggling with trying to differentiate between a unique mission for each scene and the piece of story it’s tasked with delivering. Can you sharpen the distinction? Thanks so much if you find the time, if not, I’ll read part 6 another few times…

By: Kenneth Weene

Kenneth Weene — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:53:54 +0000

I’d love to do a guest post for this site. It seems like a great place for serious writers who have something to say. Since my novels are typically about social issues, restarting late in life (Widow’s Walk), mental health and personal freedom (Memoirs From the Asylum), and the people who are just getting by (Tales From the Dew Drop Inne), I always like to discuss the social and political role of the writer.
Let me know if you’d be interested.

By: ANWA Writers Conference - Easy As PIEEasy As PIE

ANWA Writers Conference - Easy As PIEEasy As PIE — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:52:19 +0000

[...] Writing Process by Larry Brooks [...]

By: NaNoWriMo Debriefing | BULLISH INK

NaNoWriMo Debriefing | BULLISH INK — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 06:59:52 +0000

[...] Larry Brooks - his daily NaNo posts – based on his stellar story structure manual – were jam-packed with excellent advice and I truly applaud his generous spirit. You can buy his story structure book Story Engineering here or a compilation of his NaNo posts here [...]

By: Richard Orlin

Richard Orlin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:20:57 +0000

I bought your book, “Story Engineering” and think it’s great! However, the link on the back to your downloadable “Story engineering checklist” at WD is dead. Do you have the correct link or can you email the file?
Thank you very much