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Story Trumps Structure

How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules
Mar 30, 2017squib rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A guide to writing that dives into familiar territory with clearly a different vision. Although the definition of story is pretty limited (call it a guide to popular fiction, rather than mythology, teaching tales, journalling, etc), some of the lists of ways to accomplish things are limited but helpful (like the four things your opening needs to do), there is plenty of novelty in the approach that really bears consideration. Eschew the outline? Right. Get rid of it altogether. (I know, blasphemy). Character-drive or plot-driven? (hint: neither). It's all about building tension, expectation, and payoff in a way that we've come to expect, and to demand from our stories. A quick read, and a better starting point than a lot of the books on writing I've encountered over the years.