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With Story Structure Architect. Memoir/Life Story Writing; Christian/Inspirational; Poetry; Songwriting; Screenwriting & Script Writing; Improve Writing. National Public Library - eBooks. The best known building of the period in the region is the ruined 8th-century BC multi-story. Ethiopian architecture. Story Structure Architect is your comprehensive reference to. The dynamic structure was designed by Iranian-born Farshid Moussavi of London, formerly with Foreign Office Architects (FOA) and now principal of Farshid Moussavi Architecture (FMA). This is her first U.S. Commission and her first museum. Writers as Architects. The model recreates the experience of reading “The Falls” by George Saunders, a short story narrated in an almost stream-of-consciousness manner. The massiveness of the structure mimics the thought process of the main character and pushes you down through myriad ramps accentuating a sense of helplessness.
Story Structure Architect: A Writer's Guide to Building Dramatic Situations & Compelling Characters by Victoria Lynn Schmidt (also author of 45 Master Characters), categorizes stories into 55 Dramatic Situations, as well as giving some detail on genres, storyforms, and the possible forms of conflict in a story. Here is a summary of Schmidt's ideas. Story Structure Architect: a writer's guide to building dramatic situations & compelling characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt (also author of 45 Master Characters), categorizes stories into 55 Dramatic Situations, as well as giving some detail on genres, storyforms, and the possible forms of conflict in a story.Here is a summary of Schmidt's ideas. No structure, no possibility of ensuing story architecture. Let’s turn to the more common meaning of these two terms, from the building and construction trade. Structure is the foundation, girders, support beams and floorplan that allows a building to stand upright.
Story Structure Architect
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Build a timeless, original story using hundreds of classic story motifs!
It's been said that there are no new ideas; but there are proven ideas that have worked again and again for all writers for hundreds of years.
Story Structure Architect is your comprehensive reference to the classic recurring story structures used by every great author throughout the ages. You'll find m...more
It's been said that there are no new ideas; but there are proven ideas that have worked again and again for all writers for hundreds of years.
Story Structure Architect is your comprehensive reference to the classic recurring story structures used by every great author throughout the ages. You'll find m...more
Published July 26th 2005 by Writer's Digest Books (first published January 1st 2005)
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People will undoubtedly criticize two things about this book: it's formulaic and the author uses movies examples. What people are clearly forgetting is that the book's intent is to discuss 'formulas' for storytelling, which it does admirably well and in great detail, and the book isn't about *books*. It's about *stories* and how to tell them. Stories largely transcend the medium in which they appear so the author's use of the movies make sense for her background (which was film studies, if I'm n...more
Dec 16, 2010Michael rated it it was ok
This book is a deconstruction of the major themes and plots behind most western story telling. The author, Victoria Schmidt, is a graduate of film studies, explaining why most of the references and examples are films rather than books. However, storytelling is storytelling, no matter what the medium.
The first two chapters were the most useful from a writer's perspective, outlining and defining the three acts most familiar to western thinkers, planning and development of plot and character. I fel...more
The first two chapters were the most useful from a writer's perspective, outlining and defining the three acts most familiar to western thinkers, planning and development of plot and character. I fel...more
Feb 25, 2014Anthony rated it it was amazing
Actually, full disclosure: I finished this book years ago. I have found this an absolutely indispensable tool in constructing any story that I write. Every type of story, plot and situation is fully explained complete with familiar examples for each one. If you write, whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting, I strongly recommend this for your library. I further recommend this book to be within arm's reach at all times.
Jul 28, 2009Heidi rated it did not like it
I found this book very confusing and was particularly turned off when I discovered that all the examples came from movies, not books. But the final straw was when, under the chapter of 'Imprudence and caution' she gives this definition of 'Little Women': 'Jo waits too long to decide to marry long-time friend, Laurie, and eds up losing him to her younger sister.'!!!!!
I was just trying to learn more as a writer, boring!
Apr 08, 2019StarMan added it · review of another edition
Tedious and detailed, but possibly useful if you're into such (instead of lighter, more inspirational books on writing technique).
Probably NOT a great book for the beginning/novice writer. Maybe OK for those who are interested in 40+ different types of plots, and can read about such in detail without falling asleep.
VERDICT: At least 2 stars, purely for depth. Let's call it about 2.8 stars. Round to 3 if you must.
Probably NOT a great book for the beginning/novice writer. Maybe OK for those who are interested in 40+ different types of plots, and can read about such in detail without falling asleep.
VERDICT: At least 2 stars, purely for depth. Let's call it about 2.8 stars. Round to 3 if you must.
Run into a rut? Want inspiration? Comparison for other plot types?
This book has it all. It's a must read for writers of all levels of experience.
It gives a detailed description on how to write what types of plots and how to write them and gives examples just in case you're curious.
This book has it all. It's a must read for writers of all levels of experience.
It gives a detailed description on how to write what types of plots and how to write them and gives examples just in case you're curious.
Sep 18, 2017Debra Daniels-zeller rated it liked it
This is either the writing book you've been waiting for, or it isn't. It's a complex book and a lot went into writing it. Many interesting questions are raised but, I found the book confusing--5 dramatic throughlines, 11 dramatic structures, 21 generas and 55 situations--this book seemed consumed by numbers. And numbers don't make for the most compelling reading. The dramatic situations taken from George Polti's book from 1945 and expanded on and if you can find the situations from the book you'...more
Dec 14, 2007Sherry rated it really liked it Shelves: books-that-live-with-me, reference, writing-and-creativity
I love this book. Some readers have commented that they found it too formulaic - but of course it's formulaic, it's offering an insight into the many ways that one structure and organise a story. And it's strength is that in offering one a whole host of options, it defies being formulaic because it demonstrates what a wide range of options there are. If anything, this book has opened my eyes and broadened my horizons and helped to kick my brain out of being a little too predictable in my own sto...more
Jul 15, 2012Hunter rated it really liked it
A reference guide to plot structures, and 54 different dramatic situations. I read a library copy quite quickly (admitting that Section 3 which contains the 54 dramatic situations can be an eye glazer) but am glad I picked up a free ebook version for my Kindle library last NaNoWriMo, as the book will provide some browsable ideas when I'm stuck in a writing phase. Section 4 on research seems an un-necessary tagon, as the book isn't really a writing craft how-to write a story at all.
As a referenc...more
As a referenc...more
Great breakdown showing over 50 'situations' most novels/movies use as a format - either in plot, sub-plot or situation. A useful resource once you have a clear idea of what you are going to write about. Helpful by listing questions in each 'situation' for the beginning, middle and end that will enhance your characters.
There's a lot to think about after reading this book. It wasn't what I was looking for, exactly, but I have no doubt I'll be flipping back through it from time to time. I wish she could have used more literary examples and less movies but *shrug* what're you going to do? Odds are I'd still have only read a fraction of them (as it is, most of the movies are familiar to me in name only).
May 19, 2017Tara Calaby added it
This book is very good at looking nice and pretty good at describing some of the common plots and situations. I don't think it would be a great deal of use, personally, though, because if I used its suggestions it would lead to a MORE generic story rather than a less generic one.
Feb 08, 2016Michelle Pickett rated it really liked it
This review was originally posted on Michelle K. Pickett
This was a good writing tutorial. The author packed a lot of information into the short book. The first two chapters were of particular interest to me, covering the three-act story and outlining. As the book progressed, types of stories, plots and situations are discussed. Example of the “Romance” chapter:
This was a good writing tutorial. The author packed a lot of information into the short book. The first two chapters were of particular interest to me, covering the three-act story and outlining. As the book progressed, types of stories, plots and situations are discussed. Example of the “Romance” chapter:
Definition of the romance plot structure.Breakdown of the types of romance structures: The Cinderella Structure...more
Dec 14, 2012Syahira rated it really liked it
Story Structure Architect is an interesting book to read even if you aren't a storyteller. Like its name, the book detailed about the basic blocks that constitutes in making a story. This includes novels, novellas, screenplay, video games, choose your own adventures and etc. So technically, if you are looking for a read that detailed on each of these things, you wont get any but if you want to see things more clearly about the structure of a story (either its Final Fantasy 7 or Skyrim or 50 Shad...more
Story Structure Architect Pdf
Feb 11, 2017John Jemar rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Advanced, technical, and useful in a writer's tool chest
Feb 06, 2014Elfscribe rated it liked it
Victoria Schmidt details 11 master plot structures such as romance, the journey, the slice of life and then goes through 55 dramatic situations such as vengeance for a crime and rehabilitation or falling prey to cruelty or misfortune. For each situation she discusses the type of characters involved. For example in falling prey there is the unfortunate person and a master who has control over them. She then asks questions that the author should consider in the beginning of the story, for example...more
super-geeky reference work, well-organized and and concise. takes polti's well-known 36 plots The Thirty Six Dramatic Situations and illustrates/reworks/updates them. gives lots of sample situations and lists a couple published examples for each plot. the latter are all from movies, but i don't see that as a problem; story is story no matter what the medium.
my only quibble is that there is some blather about 'feminine' versus 'masculine' journeys with implications that women are special snowflak...more
my only quibble is that there is some blather about 'feminine' versus 'masculine' journeys with implications that women are special snowflak...more
Sep 11, 2012Amy rated it liked it
This is nicely organized resource for writing. I especially enjoyed the chapter on the six types of conflict. Schmidt asks a series of open-ended questions to help with story-planning, and it helped me to get through some of the brainstorming for one of my story outlines.
In terms of examples, I agree with other reviewers that the focus on film is one-sided and does not always translate well to other media such as novels. I prefer Blake Snyder's overview of genres, and I prefer TVTropes.com for a...more
In terms of examples, I agree with other reviewers that the focus on film is one-sided and does not always translate well to other media such as novels. I prefer Blake Snyder's overview of genres, and I prefer TVTropes.com for a...more
Got it to mainstream my writing. Mainly for Western writing, it covers common plot and structure elements in movies (here applied to fiction) . However she gets some points wrong under the genre section like supernatural elements in science fiction or a musical using songs to tell the story (I guess stories about bands, singers or anything regarding the music business applies under the musical label here). Her fantasy section was very lacking. There are many subtypes she missed.
Used in conjunct...more
Used in conjunct...more
Apr 18, 2008Bec rated it really liked it
Cookbook style guide to story structures which provides lists and descriptions of various dramatic throughlines, conflicts, and genres. Designed to give the beginning reader and overview of nearly a dozen master story structures and 55 dramatic situation, the book's strength is in showing how the simplest story structure can yield a complex and satisfying experience for the writer when dramatic situations are employed. Although limited to screenwriting and writing for adults, many of the princip...more
It was good in the beginning, but then it slowly dwindled off. There are so many different forms of plot structure and this book made it almost overwhelming. Sure the movie references helped to give the imagery that they were hoping to explain with each chapter/segment, but it just became too much in the end. I recommend it for a fun look at all the different types of plot structure, but don't expect to learn too much from it because you'll just be overwhelmed by everything and probably won't re...more
The author is a movie buff, so the book is replete with movie analogies to explain her various points. As I don't go to movies very often, her points were frequently lost on me. Some of the story types were geared more toward movies than books, so I felt as if I were reading something written for people who want to write screenplays, more than for people who want to write books. Parts of it provided food for thought, though. I'm not sorry I read it, but I am sorry I bought it.
Nov 30, 2011Carrie Rolph rated it it was ok
This was offered as a free Kindle download during Nanowrimo, so I grabbed it. It's mostly summaries of dramatic throughlines, conflicts, and genres that can be used in fiction.
As someone who's severely plot structure challeged, I found it semi-useful. It was enough to get me started thinking about potential ways to structure a story, but not enough for me to get something workable down on paper.
As someone who's severely plot structure challeged, I found it semi-useful. It was enough to get me started thinking about potential ways to structure a story, but not enough for me to get something workable down on paper.
Giving this book four stars was easy for one simple reason. I learned something. It is indeed simplistic and after reading several related books, it still has value. If I didn't learn anything new (which I did) then I could at least take away from it the reenforcement of old ideas and ingrain them deeper into my subconscious. Other points of view and encouragement are always needed for a fledgling writer like myself.
Sep 06, 2011Alicia Gregoire rated it really liked it Shelves: books-on-writing, favorites, read-in-2011
This book effectively breaks down plot by explaining dramatic throughlines plus the different type of plots that can be used aside from the traditional 3 act structure.
This would've received 5 stars if it wasn't for the section on the 55 situations that can be used. As someone not familiar with Ploti, I was confused on some of the terminology and the best way to incorporate. I felt like that section could've been expanded a bit.
Even with that drawback, this was an excellent resource.
This would've received 5 stars if it wasn't for the section on the 55 situations that can be used. As someone not familiar with Ploti, I was confused on some of the terminology and the best way to incorporate. I felt like that section could've been expanded a bit.
Even with that drawback, this was an excellent resource.
Jul 15, 2013Bill rated it really liked it
I usually place many of these how-to books about writing on the same moral plane as chain letters: they offer no verifiable content, urge you to buy more, and threaten disaster if you don't follow them to the letter. That said, I found much of this book useful and helpful in my current wrangling with fiction. Analytic but not pedantic. It does lean on film more, but I suspect that's to provide recognizable examples in this post literate age. One I will come back to.
Sep 03, 2015Alina rated it liked it
Actual rating: 3.5
As some other reviewers have mentioned, the first two chapters of this are well done: I found them easy to read, engaging, and gave further insight into certain aspects of the writing process. However, in the following section that had 55 different situations, many of them felt repetitive and were quite dry to read in one sitting. If used as a reference guide as opposed to a read-through, this would be a pretty good reference book.
As some other reviewers have mentioned, the first two chapters of this are well done: I found them easy to read, engaging, and gave further insight into certain aspects of the writing process. However, in the following section that had 55 different situations, many of them felt repetitive and were quite dry to read in one sitting. If used as a reference guide as opposed to a read-through, this would be a pretty good reference book.
This book and I just weren't meant to be together. It was informative and educational, but it was just too formulaic for me. Yes, yes, I know! It is meant as a guide to plot formulas! That's why I say that we just didn't mesh: I just couldn't love the approach to this book, even though I knew what to expect.
Jan 21, 2009Dominic rated it really liked it Shelves: resource
This is an invaluable resource for the aspiring writer. It maps out plot shapes and asks basic question for many different types of plot structures. Although it is very useful for starting to weave your story, it is somewhat difficult to navigate, and some of the information comes off as completely erroneous. Overall, B+
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