Even before starting work on Narata Storytelling Cards, my library of craft books on storytelling, plotting, writing novels and screenplays, and comics creation was extensive. I have read almost all of them and some of them multiple times. Picking just eight books to recommend in this article was not done quickly. The reader is almost certainly familiar with some of these tomes, but hopefully, one or more books here will prove a new and helpful resource.
1. Story
Robert McKee
Adaptation is a great movie, but the fictional portrayal of Robert McKee does a great disservice to the real man. The film portrays McKee as a peddler of a dogmatic paint-by-numbers story formula, but the opposite is true. Yes, Story does an outstanding job guiding you through the process of developing a solid classical three-act story, but McKee does an equally excellent job teaching you how to deviate from classical structure creatively. With McKee as your teacher, you’ll be better equipped to write everything from a Die Hard type action thriller to experimental stories like Mulholland Drive. This book is nothing short of a masterpiece, and if you had to take just one craft book with you for working on a story on a desert island, this is the one you should bring.
2. The Anatomy of Story
John Truby
My other top recommendation is The Anatomy of Story by John Truby. In terms of a practical, detailed, and inspiring guide to developing an engaging and meaningful story in any genre or medium, nothing tops this book. The only reason I place McKee’s book at the top, is that he deals with storytelling beyond classical structure, whereas Truby (masterfully) teaches how to create a classical structure perfectly. Truby’s unique 22-step method helps the storyteller identify all the core elements of a story – character, relationships, plot, theme, symbolism, and more – right at the beginning, ensuring that you are on sure footing throughout the process. This does not mean Truby’ approach is paint-by-numbers; quite the opposite—by making the mechanics and dynamics of storytelling totally transparent, he helps the writer maintain both overview and creative freedom.
3. Creating Character Arcs
K.M. Weiland
K.M. Weiland has a series of five really good books on storytelling, and picking just one was a challenge, but I landed on “Creating Character Arcs” as it so effectively teaches the importance of character growth and transformation in storytelling, and from that seed and root all other story elements bloom naturally. Weiland’s insights into the creation of believable and compelling character arcs are universally applicable, whether you write westerns, horror, romance, crime thriller, or any other type of story. Whether you’re a novice storyteller or a grizzled veteran, Weiland’s clear and concise approach to character and story development is immediately actionable. Her practical techniques for developing multi-dimensional characters will make fleshing out your plot and story world so much easier, leading to a solid foundation for crafting your finished novel or screenplay.
4. The Writer’s Journey
Christopher Vogler
George Lucas famously used “The Hero With a Thousand Faces,” Joseph Campbell’s seminal book on mythology, as a template for writing the original Star Wars movie. In Christopher Vogler’s beautifully written “The Writer’s Journey” this concept is developed further, taking us beyond the hero’s journey structure by exploring the significance of archetypal characters and their roles in storytelling. With insightful analysis and practical examples, Vogler breaks down the twelve stages of the hero’s journey, providing a step-by-step framework for using mythic structure in character development and stories. This modern classic of storytelling explores archetypal characters, archetypal scenes and situations, symbolism, and psychological depth, making it an excellent and inspiring guide for for writers across various genres and mediums.
5. Write Your Novel From the Middle
James Scott Bell
James Scott Bell is an excellent fiction writer who has written several really good books on the craft of writing. Picking just one was tough, but I landed on on a book that explores the concept he is probably most well known for: using the story’s midpoint as the key element in plotting. “Write Your Novel from the Middle” beautifully explains how his approach to the midpoint serves as the emotional core of the story, as this moment of self-reflection for the protagonist can drive the narrative forward and provide a clear sense of direction, as well as make sure the plot and characters are meaningful also in terms of theme. The long Act II is infamous as the graveyard of good stories, where the story tends to lag and the reader or viewer loses interest. “Write Your Novel from the Middle” just might be the book that raises your story back from the dead.
6. Save the Cat
Blake Snyder
“Save the Cat” by Blake Snyder has been on quite a journey in the storytelling business. First, it became a sensation as a practical manual for quickly developing stories that work, but it and its now famous ‘beat sheet’ became so ubiquitous that people started complaining the book was leading to formulaic movies. There is a lot of merit to this criticism, but that doesn’t detract from how freeing Snyder’sapproach can still be. A creative storyteller will know when and how to deviate from Snyder’s 15 beat formula and may get a lot out of this practical and engaging guide. Snyder’s breakdown of story structure and beats, along with practical tips, makes it a valuable resource whether you’re a screenwriter or storyteller in any medium, this book offers valuable insights and guidance.
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7. Making a Good Script Great
Linda Seger
Linda Seger’s “Making a Good Script Great.” is a classic in the craft of screenwriting and offers invaluable lessons on character development, story structure, theme, and dialogue. Seger is one of the most sought after story consultants in Hollywood (and beyond), and with her expert guidance, combined with practical examples and troubleshooting tips, you’ll get a much better story. While providing a solid foundation in classic storytelling structure, she encourages writers to think outside the box, explore unconventional narrative techniques, and embrace the unique vision they bring to their scripts. “Making a Good Script Great” highlights how a well-defined theme can infuse a script with meaning, elevating it beyond mere entertainment to a work of art that resonates with audiences on a profound level.
8. The Secrets Of Action Screenwriting
William C. Martell
“The Secrets of Action Screenwriting” by William Martell is a lesser-known yet invaluable resource for writers. Although Martell focuess on action movies and thrillers doesn’t limit its applicability to other genres or media. Martell’s expertise shines as he delves into the techniques of crafting gripping, suspenseful, and coherent narratives. From character development to structuring thrilling set pieces, he provides clear guidance to engage readers and keep them on the edge of their seats. His chapter “The Villain’s Plan” alone is worth the price of the book. It explains in very clear and practical terms how important it is for almost any type of story that you devise a believable and challenging opponent. Packed with unique advice and tricks, “The Secrets of Action Screenwriting” is an invaluable tool chest for any storyteller who is serious about the craft.
I’ll add more storytelling notes from my writer’s notebook in the future. In the meantime, you can explore our blog for more information and thoughts about the craft of storytelling in general and about working with Narata Storytelling Cards.
Happy storytelling!
Even before starting work on Narata Storytelling Cards, my library of craft books on storytelling, plotting, writing novels and screenplays, and comics creation was extensive. I have read almost all of them and some of them multiple times. Picking just eight books to recommend in this article was not done quickly. The reader is almost certainly familiar with some of these tomes, but hopefully, one or more books here will prove a new and helpful resource.
1. Story
Robert McKee
Adaptation is a great movie, but the fictional portrayal of Robert McKee does a great disservice to the real man. The film portrays McKee as a peddler of a dogmatic paint-by-numbers story formula, but the opposite is true. Yes, Story does an outstanding job guiding you through the process of developing a solid classical three-act story, but McKee does an equally excellent job teaching you how to deviate from classical structure creatively. With McKee as your teacher, you’ll be better equipped to write everything from a Die Hard type action thriller to experimental stories like Mulholland Drive. This book is nothing short of a masterpiece, and if you had to take just one craft book with you for working on a story on a desert island, this is the one you should bring.
.
2. The Anatomy of Story
John Truby
My other top recommendation is The Anatomy of Story by John Truby. In terms of a practical, detailed, and inspiring guide to developing an engaging and meaningful story in any genre or medium, nothing tops this book. The only reason I place McKee’s book at the top, is that he deals with storytelling beyond classical structure, whereas Truby (masterfully) teaches how to create a classical structure perfectly. Truby’s unique 22-step method helps the storyteller identify all the core elements of a story – character, relationships, plot, theme, symbolism, and more – right at the beginning, ensuring that you are on sure footing throughout the process. This does not mean Truby’ approach is paint-by-numbers; quite the opposite—by making the mechanics and dynamics of storytelling totally transparent, he helps the writer maintain both overview and creative freedom.
3. Creating Character Arcs
K.M. Weiland
K.M. Weiland has a series of five really good books on storytelling, and picking just one was a challenge, but I landed on “Creating Character Arcs” as it so effectively teaches the importance of character growth and transformation in storytelling, and from that seed and root all other story elements bloom naturally. Weiland’s insights into the creation of believable and compelling character arcs are universally applicable, whether you write westerns, horror, romance, crime thriller, or any other type of story. Whether you’re a novice storyteller or a grizzled veteran, Weiland’s clear and concise approach to character and story development is immediately actionable. Her practical techniques for developing multi-dimensional characters will make fleshing out your plot and story world so much easier, leading to a solid foundation for crafting your finished novel or screenplay.
4. The Writer’s Journey
Christopher Vogler
George Lucas famously used “The Hero With a Thousand Faces,” Joseph Campbell’s seminal book on mythology, as a template for writing the original Star Wars movie. In Christopher Vogler’s beautifully written “The Writer’s Journey” this concept is developed further, taking us beyond the hero’s journey structure by exploring the significance of archetypal characters and their roles in storytelling. With insightful analysis and practical examples, Vogler breaks down the twelve stages of the hero’s journey, providing a step-by-step framework for using mythic structure in character development and stories. This modern classic of storytelling explores archetypal characters, archetypal scenes and situations, symbolism, and psychological depth, making it an excellent and inspiring guide for for writers across various genres and mediums.
5. Write Your Novel From the Middle
James Scott Bell
James Scott Bell is an excellent fiction writer who has written several really good books on the craft of writing. Picking just one was tough, but I landed on on a book that explores the concept he is probably most well known for: using the story’s midpoint as the key element in plotting. “Write Your Novel from the Middle” beautifully explains how his approach to the midpoint serves as the emotional core of the story, as this moment of self-reflection for the protagonist can drive the narrative forward and provide a clear sense of direction, as well as make sure the plot and characters are meaningful also in terms of theme. The long Act II is infamous as the graveyard of good stories, where the story tends to lag and the reader or viewer loses interest. “Write Your Novel from the Middle” just might be the book that raises your story back from the dead.
6. Save the Cat
Blake Snyder
Linda Seger’s “Making a Good Script Great.” is a classic in the craft of screenwriting and offers invaluable lessons on character development, story structure, theme, and dialogue. Seger is one of the most sought after story consultants in Hollywood (and beyond), and with her expert guidance, combined with practical examples and troubleshooting tips, you’ll get a much better story. While providing a solid foundation in classic storytelling structure, she encourages writers to think outside the box, explore unconventional narrative techniques, and embrace the unique vision they bring to their scripts. “Making a Good Script Great” highlights how a well-defined theme can infuse a script with meaning, elevating it beyond mere entertainment to a work of art that resonates with audiences on a profound level.
7. Making a Good Script Great
Linda Seger
Linda Seger’s “Making a Good Script Great.” is a classic in the craft of screenwriting and offers invaluable lessons on character development, story structure, theme, and dialogue. Seger is one of the most sought after story consultants in Hollywood (and beyond), and with her expert guidance, combined with practical examples and troubleshooting tips, you’ll get a much better story. While providing a solid foundation in classic storytelling structure, she encourages writers to think outside the box, explore unconventional narrative techniques, and embrace the unique vision they bring to their scripts. “Making a Good Script Great” highlights how a well-defined theme can infuse a script with meaning, elevating it beyond mere entertainment to a work of art that resonates with audiences on a profound level.
8. The Secrets Of Action Screenwriting
William C. Martell
“The Secrets of Action Screenwriting” by William Martell is a lesser-known yet invaluable resource for writers. Although Martell focuess on action movies and thrillers doesn’t limit its applicability to other genres or media. Martell’s expertise shines as he delves into the techniques of crafting gripping, suspenseful, and coherent narratives. From character development to structuring thrilling set pieces, he provides clear guidance to engage readers and keep them on the edge of their seats. His chapter “The Villain’s Plan” alone is worth the price of the book. It explains in very clear and practical terms how important it is for almost any type of story that you devise a believable and challenging opponent. Packed with unique advice and tricks, “The Secrets of Action Screenwriting” is an invaluable tool chest for any storyteller who is serious about the craft.
I’ll add more storytelling notes from my writer’s notebook in the future. In the meantime, you can explore our blog for more information and thoughts about the craft of storytelling in general and about working with Narata Storytelling Cards.
Happy storytelling!
