The Art And Craft Of Storytelling : a Comprehensive Guide To Classic Writing Techniques

156 Pages·2011·0.93 MB·English

by  Lamb

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR
The Art and Craft of
STORYTELLING
Nancy Lamb is at her usual high standard. Of the more than two hundred books
about writing on my shelves, this is the best single reference I have. Read this
book. Use it. Your writing will be better for it.
—Charles Connor, Founding Director, The
Harriette
Austin Writing Program, The University of
Georgia 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. 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
and 48 HOURS MYSTERY
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 Nancy Lamb’s
experience and instruction informs, excites, and
shows me how to do it! She’s on my side, rooting
for me, investing all that she’s learned in writing
her books so can I tackle my own projects. She
knows the storytelling process inside and out, and
she makes teaching it not only a story in itself, but
a story you want to live.
—Sheila Bender, author and publisher of
WritingItReal.com
From her comprehensive breakdown of genres to her eight approaches to story
structure to her process for creating unforgettable characters, Nancy Lamb’s
book overflows with incredibly useful advice, tips, and techniques. Her tone is
inspirational, gently encouraging, and filled with warm good-humor—reading it
is like being led to the secret well of creativity by your best friend.
—Eric Elfman, author, screenwriter, writing coach
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. 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, playwright
and SBWC workshop leader
NANCY LAMB
The Art and Craft of
STORYTELLING
A Comprehensive Guide to
Classic Writing Techniques
Cincinnati, Ohio
www.writersdigest.com
The Art and Craft of Storytelling © 2008 by Nancy Lamb. Manufactured in the United States of America.
All rights reserved. No other part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or
mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from
the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review. Published by Writer’s
Digest Books, an imprint of F+W Media, Inc., 4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236. (800)
289-0963. First edition.
For more fine books from F+W Media, visit www.fwmedia.com.
12 11 10 09 08 5 4 3 2 1
Distributed in Canada by Fraser Direct, 100 Armstrong Avenue, Georgetown, Ontario, Canada L7G 5S4,
Tel: [phone]. Distributed in the U.K. and Europe by David & Charles, Brunel House, Newton
Abbot, Devon, TQ12 4PU, England, Tel: (+44) 1626-323200, Fax: (+44) 1626-323319, E-mail:
[email protected]. Distributed in Australia by Capricorn Link, P.O. Box 704, Windsor,
NSW 2756 Australia, Tel: [phone].
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Lamb, Nancy.
The art and craft of storytelling : a comprehensive guide to classic writing techniques / by Nancy Lamb. -
- 1st ed.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-58297559-7 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Fiction--Technique. 2. Narration (Rhetoric) I. Title.
PN3383.N35L36 2008
808.3--dc22 2008032177
Edited by LAUREN MOSKO
Designed by TERRI WOESNER
Cover Designed by CLAUDEAN WHEELER
Production coordinated by MARK GRIFFIN
DEDICATION
I dedicate this book to all the writers out there who toil in the fields, fueled by
little except passion, creativity, and a belief in the dream.
Without artists—without their ability to celebrate life, invent realities, and
reveal truths—we would all be diminished. And without art, we would lose our
connection to magic.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My gratitude to Terry Baker and Lia Keyes for their patience in answering my
endless questions; and to Ron Alexander, Heather Brown, Max Diamond, Eric
Elfman, George Emerson, Troy Fuss, Mary Goodfader, Ethel Gullette, Marianne
Jas, Damon Kirsche, Mary Main, Greg Paul Malone, Andrew Martin, Brad
Miskell, Ann Paul, Jan Silverstrom-Elfman, and Janet Zarem for their help and
insight leavened by humor and intelligence.
I also offer my thanks to the amazing Lauren Mosko, an extraordinary editor
whose hard work, sharp eye, and keen intellect made this a better book; and to
Jane Friedman, whose open mind made this book possible.
My special thanks to Charles Connor, a stranger who gave me a boost when I
needed it most.
Finally, in this electronic age, I must acknowledge Google, Wikipedia,
Amazon.com, and Barnesandnoble.com. All four sites offered me a feast of
information for my research.

TABLE OF
CONTENTS
PART I
BUILDING PLANS
1 TIME FRAMES: Story, Past and Present
2 DISCOVERING YOUR STORY: The Evocation of the Muse
3 THE GENRE WARS: From Romance to Literary Fiction
PART II
FOUNDATION AND STRUCTURE
4 STRUCTURAL DESIGN: Building What Works for You
5 BREAKING GROUND: How to Begin the Beginning
6 THE SPACE-TIME CONTINUUM: Moving Forward (and Backward)
Through Your Story
7 ENTER THE BITCH: The Power of Negative Voices
8 THE MID-STORY CRISIS: Rescuing Your Story From the Middle
Muddle
9 CLASSICAL DRAMA: In the Age of the Page-Turner
10 THE END: … Or the End of the Beginning?
PART III
STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS
11 SCENES: How They’re Structured and What Makes Them Work
12 THE DYNAMIC DUOS: Story and Quest, Plot and Subplot
13 THE CAST OF CHARACTERS: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
14 POINT OF VIEW: Who Tells the Story
15 INNER AND OUTER DIALOGUE: Authenticity and Credibility
PART IV
INTERIOR DESIGNS
16 KEEPING YOUR PROMISE: Premise, Theme, and Moral
17 THE PROMISE CONTINUED: Voice and Tone
18 NARRATIVE AUTHORITY: Setting and Senses
19 THE WRITE WAY: The Finer Points of Good Writing
PART V
FINISHING TOUCHES
20 COMING UNGLUED: Dealing With Writer’s Block
21 THE CREATIVE SPIRIT: The Care and Feeding of Your Muse
AFTERWORD
APPENDIX: Genre Reading List