The Art And Craft Of Storytelling: A Comprehensive Guide To Classic Writing Techniques - Softcover

Lamb, Nancy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1582975590 ISBN 13: 9781582975597

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group, 2008

Synopsis

Master the Power of Story

When you consider the thousands of years of storytelling that comprise our literary tradition, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the shadow of so many works. But there are common threads that link all stories--from Beowulf and Hamlet to Gone With the Wind and The Godfather to the story you're drafting right now in your head. These threads form the foundation that supports story--a foundation Nancy Lamb shows you how to access and master.

Whether you're writing a novel, a memoir, or a screenplay, The Art and Craft of Storytelling offers time-tested ways to translate a concrete idea into a polished work. In this book, you will find strategies for:

   • Creating a successful a beginning, middle, and end while moving smoothly from one stage to the next
   • Crafting memorable characters, choosing the best point of view for your story, and constructing authentic, compelling dialogue
   • Integrating and navigating the more subtle elements of story, such as voice, tone, premise, and theme
   • Understanding genres and subgenres and how they apply to your story
   • Structuring plots that transform a ho-hum story into a page-turning read


The Art and Craft of Storytelling gives you all the tools you need to contribute your own story to our great tradition, to open new worlds to your readers, and to introduce new ways of thinking. This is the power and purpose of story. And by your writing, this is the tradition you honor.

About this title

About the Author

Nancy Lamb is the author of forty-three books of fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. She has taught writing at workshops in Singapore; Athens, Georgia; and Big Sur, California. She can be reached through her Web site, www.nancylamb.com.

From the Back Cover

Advance Praise for The Art and Craft of Storytelling:

The essential guidebook for anyone who wants to write a book. Comprehensive and clear, it is a must read for new authors embarking on their writing journey.
- Peter Guber, Chairman and CEO, Mandalay Entertainment Group

I've written for television for many years, functioning like the piano player who can play anything but can't read music. Nancy Lamb's book taught me how read the music of writing. The Art and Craft of Storytelling takes you from plot to character, through writer's block, to the finale. If you want to write, read this book. If you already write but want to read the music, read this book--and keep it handy.
- Joe Halderman, Producer/Writer, CBS News, 48 HOURS MYSTERY

From the Book of Job to Harry Potter, this is the story of stories - and how to spin them with wit, grace and style, This could be the start of a beautiful relationship between your imagination and your pen.
- John Harlow, The Sunday Times of London.

As a teacher of dramatic narrative technique at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, I can say that this book is going on a "must read" list for my students! The Art and Craft of Storytelling is articulate, cohesive, insightful and comprehensive. It takes every question I've been asked by a student or have discussed with fellow writers and answers it--not just summarily, but in depth and with valuable examples. All of this in a bright humorous style that makes the learning go down easy. A writing book of this caliber is a rare find, and I recommend it for all aspiring writers, as well as established writers looking for an excellent refresher course.
- Dale Griffiths Stamos, SBWC instructor and award-winning playwright

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1582975590
• ISBN 13: 9781582975597
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272