The Anatomy of Story by John Truby is a comprehensive guide to crafting compelling stories, focusing on character development, plot structure, and thematic elements. Truby presents a 22-step framework that delves into the essential components of a successful story, emphasizing the hero's journey, moral arguments, and symbolic elements. Through in-depth analysis of classic Hollywood movies and literature, Truby offers practical advice and writing exercises to help writers build well-crafted and original narratives. The book's writing style is informative, detailed, and insightful, providing readers with a systematic approach to story creation while encouraging creativity and critical thinking.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is thorough and insightful, presenting concepts clearly while maintaining an engaging style.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on a 22-step structure that emphasizes moral dilemmas and connecting themes more than merely following formulaic guidelines.

Setting:

The setting is integrated into the narrative structure, focusing on its functional role in storytelling.

Pacing:

Pacing varies, starting slow but becoming more engaging as the book delves into deeper storytelling concepts.

Genres:

Topics:

story structure

theme development

character development

Notes:

Many writing books reduce storytelling to formulas, but Truby's book focuses on intuitive processes.

The book contains a 22-step plot structure, but it's only part of the content.

Truby emphasizes the connection between structure and theme in storytelling.

Great stories revolve around a moral dilemma expressed through plot and character interaction.

The book is useful for both screenwriters and novelists, as it draws examples from both mediums.

Truby's focus is on conceptual elements like moral need and revelation, rather than just character details.

He discusses character webs and moral arguments, suggesting characters should reflect the protagonist's conflict.

The book provides writing exercises, but they are not mandatory or overwhelming.

Truby's insights are thorough and beneficial for aspiring writers.

Chapters cover symbolism, scene construction, and effective dialogue in storytelling.

The book includes examples from classic literature and films to illustrate how great stories are crafted.

While helpful, some readers feel the book advocates a formulaic approach that may stifle creativity.

The book is well-organized, yet some readers have trouble finding the actual 22 steps.

Truby's approach has become popular among writers, establishing a recognizable framework for storytelling.

The book is considered a valuable resource for understanding story dynamics and character arcs.

From The Publisher:

"If you're ready to graduate from the boy-meets-girl league of screenwriting, meet John Truby . . . [his lessons inspire] epiphanies that make you see the contours of your psyche as sharply as your script."

-LA Weekly

John Truby is one of the most respected and sought-after story consultants in the film industry, and his students have gone on to pen some of Hollywood's most successful films, including Sleepless in Seattle, Scream, and Shrek. The Anatomy of Story is his long-awaited first book, and it shares all his secrets for writing a compelling script. Based on the lessons in his award-winning class, Great Screenwriting, The Anatomy of Story draws on a broad range of philosophy and mythology, offering fresh techniques and insightful anecdotes alongside Truby's own unique approach to building an effective, multifaceted narrative.

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About the Author:

John Truby is Hollywood's premier story consultant and founder of Truby's Writers Studio. He has worked as a story consultant and script doctor for Disney Studios, Sony Pictures, FOX, and HBO, among others, and has taught screenwriting to students worldwide.

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The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller

John Truby