Story Genius
How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere)
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Narrated by:
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Brittany Pressley
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By:
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Lisa Cron
About this listen
It’s every novelist’s greatest fear: pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into writing hundreds of pages only to realize that their story has no sense of urgency, no internal logic, and so is a page one rewrite.
The prevailing wisdom in the writing community is that there are just two ways around this problem: pantsing (winging it) and plotting (focusing on the external plot). Story coach Lisa Cron has spent her career discovering why these methods don’t work and coming up with a powerful alternative, based on the science behind what our brains are wired to crave in every story we read (and it’s not what you think).
In Story Genius Cron takes you, step-by-step, through the creation of a novel from the first glimmer of an idea, to a complete multilayered blueprint—including fully realized scenes—that evolves into a first draft with the authority, richness, and command of a riveting sixth or seventh draft.
Critic reviews
“Using brain science, Cron busts the myths of good writing to help you find the real story behind all that plot and metaphor.”—The Writer
“In [Cron's] new book, Story Genius, she picks up the . . . theme . . . that a protagonist’s internal struggle makes the story work, and offers step-by-step advice on how to exploit this truth about neuroscience for richer, deeper, better first drafts. . . . Cron provides exercises and examples to keep writers on track, always highlighting the fact that emotions engage the brain faster than anything else. . . . The concepts are easy to understand and they are certainly important. Even if you can’t go on a retreat, you should try to find time to do the exercises for your own blueprint.”—Psychology Today
“It’s a simple question: 'How do you write an effective, engaging story?' Ask Lisa Cron. An accomplished author and story coach, she has just published her second book, Story Genius. A manual of sorts, it teaches cognitive storytelling strategies and uses actual brain science to help make its readers into better writers.”—Creative Screenwriting
“Cron, author of Wired for Story, proposes this new book as the answer to the question, What’s the biggest mistake writers make? She uses psychology and other sciences to explain what makes an utterly compelling story and how to write one. . . . Novice writers looking for a step-by-step guide to how to build—or fix—their novel might find a lot of useful information in here.”—Publishers Weekly
“Lost in the quagmire of trying to write a novel? Well, forget everything you've ever been told about story, because chances are, it's totally wrong. So where to turn? Story guru Cron not only gives you the skinny on why and how stories work (and why and how we respond to them), she also shows you how to craft a novel step by step, working with author Jenny Nash from the germ of an idea to a living, breathing story. I'd never consider writing a novel without Lisa's input, and neither should you.”—Caroline Leavitt, New York Times best-selling author of Is This Tomorrow and Pictures of You
“In [Cron's] new book, Story Genius, she picks up the . . . theme . . . that a protagonist’s internal struggle makes the story work, and offers step-by-step advice on how to exploit this truth about neuroscience for richer, deeper, better first drafts. . . . Cron provides exercises and examples to keep writers on track, always highlighting the fact that emotions engage the brain faster than anything else. . . . The concepts are easy to understand and they are certainly important. Even if you can’t go on a retreat, you should try to find time to do the exercises for your own blueprint.”—Psychology Today
“It’s a simple question: 'How do you write an effective, engaging story?' Ask Lisa Cron. An accomplished author and story coach, she has just published her second book, Story Genius. A manual of sorts, it teaches cognitive storytelling strategies and uses actual brain science to help make its readers into better writers.”—Creative Screenwriting
“Cron, author of Wired for Story, proposes this new book as the answer to the question, What’s the biggest mistake writers make? She uses psychology and other sciences to explain what makes an utterly compelling story and how to write one. . . . Novice writers looking for a step-by-step guide to how to build—or fix—their novel might find a lot of useful information in here.”—Publishers Weekly
“Lost in the quagmire of trying to write a novel? Well, forget everything you've ever been told about story, because chances are, it's totally wrong. So where to turn? Story guru Cron not only gives you the skinny on why and how stories work (and why and how we respond to them), she also shows you how to craft a novel step by step, working with author Jenny Nash from the germ of an idea to a living, breathing story. I'd never consider writing a novel without Lisa's input, and neither should you.”—Caroline Leavitt, New York Times best-selling author of Is This Tomorrow and Pictures of You
I have been listening to this book all year. I got frustrated at different points because I just didn’t have the answers to what Lisa wanted on the page. But as Lisa says, dig deep and indeed I kept uncovering it. I feel equipped to approach my story once again. Very grateful for this work.
Masterpiece
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Loved It!
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The narration is engaging and the content is well-structured, making it easy to follow along. The concepts are explained with clarity and depth, making it an invaluable resource for both beginners and seasoned writers. The examples and exercises provided throughout the book are practical and thought-provoking, encouraging you to apply what you've learned to your own writing.
Having a physical copy of the book alongside the audio version has been incredibly beneficial. It allowed me to follow along as I listened, much like a read-along story for children. This immersive learning experience helped me to absorb the material more effectively. Now, I find myself switching between the two formats, using the text as a reference and the audio as a reminder.
Lisa Cron's expertise and passion for storytelling shine through every chapter of Story Genius. Her approach is not just about teaching you how to write a story, but also about understanding the psychological aspects of storytelling. This book has not only improved my writing skills but also deepened my appreciation for the power of stories.
In conclusion, Story Genius is a must-have for anyone interested in storytelling. It's a masterclass in narrative craft, delivered with wisdom, insight, and a genuine love for the art of storytelling. Whether you're an aspiring writer or a seasoned author, this book will undoubtedly enrich your storytelling journey.
Masterpiece of Storytelling Wisdom - Story Genius by Lisa Cron
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The unfortunate element which loses stars in this rating, is that to demonstrate these writing techniques, half the book is given over to an example novel. The idea is to see the tips in practice alongside a story supposedly being written alongside. However, that book is so boring and uninteresting that it greatly reduces the powerful insights given in the tips.
I will listen again to use the suggestions, but the inner story will be skipped wherever possible, and hopefully not put me in a bad mood!
Some golden nuggets
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Indispensable for writers
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