20 Master Plots
by Ronald B. Tobias
Writer’s Digest Books, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-1-59963-537-8
ISBN-10: 1-59963-537-2
$16.99 paperback, 288 pages
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About the Book
Give your story a solid foundation—a plot that engages readers from start to finish! The best stories linger in the hearts and minds of readers for decades. These tales gain their power through plots that connect with the audience on both an emotional and intellectual level.
Inside Ronald B. Tobias details these 20 time-tested plots. Each is discussed and analyzed, illustrating how a successful plot integrates all the elements of a story. Tobias then shows you how to use these plots effectively in your own work.Tobias then goes to the next level, showing you how to choose and develop plot in fiction. He shows you how to craft plot for any subject matter, so that you develop your work evenly and effectively. As a result, your fiction will be more cohesive and convincing, making your story unforgettable for readers everywhere.
“Plot isn’t an accessory that conveniently organizes your material according to some ritualistic magic. You don’t just plug in plot like a household appliance and expect it to do its job. Plot is organic. It takes hold of the writer and the work from the beginning.”
—Ronald Tobias
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
Invisible Fiction
CHAPTER 2
The Lowest Common Plot Denominators
CHAPTER 3
The Strong Force
CHAPTER 4
Deep Structure
CHAPTER 5
Triangles
CHAPTER 6
Twenty Master Plots: Prologue
CHAPTER 7
Master Plot 1: Quest
CHAPTER 8
Master Plot 2: Adventure
CHAPTER 9
Master Plot 3: Pursuit
CHAPTER 10
Master Plot 4: Rescue
CHAPTER 11
Master Plot 5: Escape
CHAPTER 12
Master Plot 6: Revenge
CHAPTER 13
Master Plot 7: The Riddle
CHAPTER 14
Master Plot 8: Rivalry
CHAPTER 15
Master Plot 9: Underdog
CHAPTER 16
Master Plot 10: Temptation
CHAPTER 17
Master Plot 11: Metamorphosis
CHAPTER 18
Master Plot 12: Transformation
CHAPTER 19
Master Plot 13: Maturation
CHAPTER 20
Master Plot 14: Love
CHAPTER 21
Master Plot 15: Forbidden Love
CHAPTER 22
Master Plot 16: Sacrifice
CHAPTER 23
Master Plot 17: Discovery
CHAPTER 24
Master Plot 18: Wretched Excess
CHAPTER 25
Master Plots 19 And 20: Ascension & Descension
CHAPTER 26
Parting Shots
