Super Structure: The Key to Unleashing the Power of Story

A useful writing toolbox in book form.

It delivers what it says on the cover. There is enough detail, addressing both planners and 'seat of the pants' writers. Each element makes sense to me, and his illustrations from popular books and movies are very helpful.

It's sexist. (Action movies are men's movies - oh, really? I don't think so. That's just the most glaring example.) I'd like any revision to correct that. I've deducted an entire star for that failure alone.

But the formula is flexible and works - you can use it to examine any novel or movie for more illustrations of how to deliver your story in ways that readers will want to read. There's no pressure to follow a set style at all, because we don't all want an audience. But if you show more do, this book may be your key to that end. show less

Interesting to read this along with 'Save the Cat writes a novel'. Both of these books give you signposts/guidelines to the structure of your plot, and the beats and ideas are very similar.

Whereas 'save the cat writes a novel' is a standalone guide, I think this book felt very much like it was intended to be read as a companion to some of the author's other writing works ('write from the middle' being a big one).

Still some really good themes, ideas and signposts. Worth the read, even if it means reading other books to get the comparative value of this one.

purpose of structure

Through clear examples and plain-language explanations, James Scott Bell details how to organize and brainstorm stronger, deeply-moving stories. Highly recommended reading for storytellers, both outliners and pantsers.

purpose of structure

Through clear examples and plain-language explanations, James Scott Bell details how to organize and brainstorm stronger, deeply-moving stories. Highly recommended reading for storytellers, both outliners and pantsers.

Another day, another writing book. Interesting the different things these point out. Sometimes they're the same (just phrased differently), sometimes it's something new.