This is a MUST listen for all prospective writers

Have you ever watched a movie or read a book that didn't quite connect with you, but you weren't exactly sure why? Are you writing a story that just isn't coming together but you don't know how to fix it? Well this book is for you!

I have no idea why this book doesn't have more reviews. It's an absolute gamechanger for me. I've read many different books on writing and this has contained by far the most useful advice. It won't tell you the craft of writing, how to put one word after the other, but it will teach you story structure. It essentially acts as a checklist of 122 items that your story may (or may not) need and is the perfect troubleshooting tool for would-be writers. But it's more than a list; it's a comprehensive manual for constructing an effective story.

But even though this book is about telling great stories it doesn't use the old favourites as a crutch. There's very little talk of 3 act structures or the hero's journey, instead coming up with fresh takes on those ideas and explaining them in ways that simply make you go, "Oh yeah, that makes perfect sense!" In the end, as a confused writer, that's exactly what I needed.

The author is a screenwriter so most of his references are from film. For me, this made the examples even more accessible and he draws from a wide range of classic, genre and pop-culture favourites. The narration is also fantastic and really brings the book alive, giving real character to the text which is already written in a lively and accessible style. Download this today, you won't be disappointed.

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Best book on writing I’ve ever found

Don’t let the lacklustre voicing put you off. This is the most valuable available guide to refining your story telling. Dynamite!

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Truly comprehensive.

The only book on writing I've read that is truly comprehensive; in fact, it's probably the best I've read. It even managed to win me over despite initially saying a couple things that I disagreed with. Especially around what I think was the sixth chapter, I found myself compelled to jot down notes of what was being said (which I don't usually do). The narrator is awesome. I think I'll listen to this audiobook again (and maybe even again) in the future. Fair warning, though, you will be sick of the phrase "Au contraire," by the end.

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One of the best

This is true gold. All sections are useful, tips are right to the point, examples are clear. Exactly what a future writer needs.

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Beyond valuable.

Simply superb. If you are put off by the repetition of ‘au contraire’, this book is wasted on you. The most valuable advice on
writing I’ve ever read, and I’ve read a lot.

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Great advice well delivered

Great book with excellent practical advice and questions to ask about your own writing.

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all good... except...

great book but with one gripe. The constant repetition of a statement followed by 'Au contrare' becomes extremely annoying.
That said, the book is filled with great advice and helpful examples as well as online further reading so great value for money and better than most of the other 'here's my re-hashed take on structure' books out there.

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1 person found this helpful

Disappointing

I found the tone deeply disappointing, sanctimonious, supercilious. I don’t think I can take one more au contraire statement. Not helpful and very difficult to listen to. I would not recommend this book to anyone. I tried but gave up around chapter 20.

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