I liked this book only because it pulls everything together for a simple five-point plot and advises a beginning or a slightly advanced writer on how to settle into his craft. Moreover, it isn't too long or droning, and the information in it is easy to remember.

The argument or the step one in the book is to start with conflict since, without any conflict, there is no story. Then the book gives the select points on developing the protagonist and the antagonist and asks the writer to ask a few sample questions to them, while giving pointers along the way, such as “don’t use yourself as a model,” which I think is smart.

Also, after the detailed description of the five-point plot – consisting of the story spark or the inciting incident, one-quarter twist, mid-point, three-quarter turn, and the climax--, the author advises the writer on the point of view elements. The book proves its points by giving examples from other well-known but diverse books such as The Terminator and Gone with the Wind.

The writing is factual, clear, and the points and the advice are easy to follow. There wasn’t anything new I already didn’t know about since in a NaNoWriMo group in Writing.com, we covered just about everything, but still, this is a good book to have for consulting and re-reading from time to time, until a writer becomes grounded in finding his own way. Especially the questions the writers are urged to ask themselves and their characters are eye-opening especially at the end after the climax, and as referrals, I wrote them down in a note-book for myself.

reviewing what you know or if you are a beginner, getting a good start on plotting.

the conciseness of the book.

L.M. Lilly, An author, lawyer, adjunct professor of law, and the founder of WritingAsASecondCareer.com.
She has several non-fiction books in print.

it is easy to learn from and to review what you already know. Plus, it is a short read and some pointers and questions are really helpful.

Interested in buying this? Support Writing.Com by making your purchase of Super Simple Story Structure: A Quick Guide to Plotting and Writing Your Novel (Writing As A Second Career Book 1)   from Amazon.Com!

Created Jul 23, 2019 at 5:53pm • Submit your own review...