{"product_id":"9781440348297","title":"The Secrets of Story: Innovative Tools for Perfecting Your Fiction and Captivating Readers","description":"You've just boarded a plane. You've loaded your phone with your favorite podcasts, but before you can pop in your earbuds, disaster strikes: The guy in the next seat starts telling you all about something crazy that happened to him--in great detail. This is the unwelcome storyteller, trying to convince a reluctant audience to care about his story.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e We all hate that guy, right? But when you tell a story (any kind of story: a novel, a memoir, a screenplay, a stage play, a comic, or even a cover letter), you become the unwelcome storyteller.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e So how can you write a story that audiences will embrace? The answer is simple: Remember what it feels like to be that jaded audience. Tell the story that would win you over, even if you didn't want to hear it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Secrets of Story\u003c\/i\u003e provides comprehensive, audience-focused strategies for becoming a master storyteller. Armed with the Ultimate Story Checklist, you can improve every aspect of your fiction writing with incisive questions like these:  \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eConcept:\u003c\/b\u003e Is the one-sentence description of your story uniquely appealing?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCharacter:\u003c\/b\u003e Can your audience identify with your hero?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eStructure and Plot:\u003c\/b\u003e Is your story ruled by human nature?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eScene Work:\u003c\/b\u003e Does each scene advance the plot and reveal character through emotional reactions?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDialogue:\u003c\/b\u003e Is your characters' dialogue infused with distinct personality traits and speech patterns based on their lives and backgrounds?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTone:\u003c\/b\u003e Are you subtly setting, resetting, and upsetting expectations?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTheme:\u003c\/b\u003e Are you using multiple ironies throughout the story to create meaning?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003eTo succeed in the world of fiction and film, you have to work on every aspect of your craft and satisfy your audience. Do both--and so much more--with \u003ci\u003eThe Secrets of Story\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Matt Bird is a certifiable writing-craft genius.\" --\u003cb\u003eCheryl Klein\u003c\/b\u003e, Senior Editor at Arthur A. Levine Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"What makes this book valuable is how practical Bird is with his advice--every chapter is full of craft tricks and little insights that help take a moment from 'good enough' to 'great!' Consider his 'one-touch rule,' which can instantly add focus and shape to even the smallest scene. This book is full of real tools for real storytellers.\" --\u003cb\u003eJonathan Auxier\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Night Gardener\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"The Ultimate Story Checklist is the clearest road map I've seen for helping writers get to what makes a compelling story. I've been sharing Matthew's guide with writers for years.\" --\u003cb\u003eAndrew Harwell\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Spider Ring\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Matt Bird has cracked the code on how satisfying stories work. His insights will sharpen your plots, freshen your characters, and liberate your imagination. I always come away from reading Matt Bird feeling inspired and invigorated.\" --\u003cb\u003eJames Kennedy\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Order of Odd Fish\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Bird's advice raises the bar and encourages 'writing greatness.' It's rare to find such clear and insightful tips about working at the most advanced end of the craft.\" --\u003cb\u003eElizabeth Fama\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eMonstrous Beauty\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"After I followed Matt Bird's writing advice, I received an offer of representation from an agent who called my manuscript 'masterfully structured.' It's a testament to how helpful Bird's advice has been--I've learned more from him than from any other book about writing, and certainly more than from taking any writing class.\" --\u003cb\u003eParker Peevyhouse\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eWhere Futures End\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Matt Bird's blog is possibly my favorite resource on storytelling, maybe even more than Robert McKee's Story. It's really insightful on story structure--detailed without being too rigid, and with a keen appreciation for both big blockbusters and smaller stories.\" --\u003cb\u003eEmily Horner\u003c\/b\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eA Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend\u003c\/i\u003e","brand":"Temple Publications International, Inc.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47123459834096,"sku":"9781440348297","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781440348297_p0.jpg?v=1763794991","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781440348297","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}