Devise
Your Story’s Plot
Rob Bignell
A Guidebook in the Storytelling 101 Quick Read Series
Atiswinic Press, September 2023
Kindle ebook $2.99, 64 pp
Buy on Amazon
About the Book and series:
Storytelling 101 Quick Read Series is a group of seven short
books filled with pithy, to-the-point advice useful for both beginning writers
and as refreshers for seasoned writers. The others are Writing Effective
Dialog, Write Your Story’s First page, and helpful marketing books on platform,
reading, formatting, and website-building
When writers come up with a great story idea but don’t know how to to develop
it, usually the problem is one of plotting. Understanding story structure –
i.e. plot – would be extremely helpful in developing their story.
Plotting Your Story is all about understanding the basic rules for
constructing your story. It examines plot’s role in storytelling, the
importance of conflict in plotting, and the five traditional elements of a
plot. It also looks at some common plot pitfalls. The structural guidelines
outlined in the book work for any genre, whether you’re writing a serious
literary piece or penning in any of the escapist genres from romance or science
fiction to mystery or fantasy. By the end of this book, with a little
imagination tossed in, you should be able to construct an impressive plot.
Part of the Storytelling 101 Quick Read series, Plotting Your
Story answers all of your plot questions in a brief, easy to
understand format. It cuts to the chase and provides practical, useful
information that can be followed step-by-step.
My Review:
Rob Bignell has laid out great advice for both new and practiced writers on developing and following a plot to smooth out the storytelling process. Beginning with clarifying plot and offering examples, followed by how plot works, to creating memorable opening hooks and purposeful endings, Rob’s style makes the books in his series great reference tools. He explains not only cliches and pitfalls, but gives examples and explains why and how to keep the reader satisfied and coming back. If you want to write a sequel, there’s a better way than ending your book on a cliffhanger.
Recommended for writers who are just getting started, as
well as those who like a sweet refresher now and then. The book is not
genre-specific and can be used for any fiction.
ROB BIGNELL is the author of more than 50 books and an
established editor who has helped more than 300 authors achieve their
publishing dreams. His works include hiking trail guidebooks, a novel,
children's books, and poetry.
