Story Engineering
Mastering the 6 Core Competencies of Successful Writing
by Larry Brooks
Writer’s Digest Books, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-58297-998-4
$17.99, paperback, 288 pages
Read an excerpt
In this excerpt from Story Engineering, author Larry Brooks defines the story element of concept.
About the book
The vast majority of writers begin the storytelling process with only a partial understanding of where to even begin. Some labor their entire lives without ever learning that stories are every bit as engineering driven as they are artistic in nature. But the truth is, unless you are a master of the form, function and criteria for successful storytelling, then sitting down and pounding out a first draft without planning is an ineffective way to write a story.
Story Engineering starts with the criteria and the architecture of storytelling—the engineering and design of a story—and uses it as the basis for narrative. The greatest potential of any story is found in the way six aspects of storytelling combine and empower each other on the page. When rendered artfully, they become a sum in excess of their parts.
You’ll learn to wrap your head around the big picture of storytelling at a professional level through a new approach that shows how to combine these six core competencies:
• the four elemental competencies of concept, character, theme, and story structure (plot);
• and the two executional competencies of scene construction and writing voice.
The true magic of storytelling happens when these six core competencies work together in perfect harmony. And the best part? Anyone can do it!
Praise for Story Engineering
“If you’ve been searching for an accessible, well-reasoned explanation of how the story building process works, look no further. Here is the roadmap you need to understanding the craft of writing.”
“Story Engineering is a master class in novel writing. Reading it is like getting an MFA, without the pesky admissions process or student loans. This book will make you smarter about the craft. Period.”
