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)

by Lisa Cron

Following on the heels of Lisa Cron's breakout first book, Wired for Story, this writing guide reveals how to use cognitive storytelling strategies to build a scene-by-scene blueprint for a riveting story.

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.

• ISBN10: 1607748894
• ISBN13: 9781607748892
• Publish Date: 9 August 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Random House USA Inc
• Imprint: Ten Speed Press
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 288
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781607748892

Reviews

[Jane]

#DNF @ 104 pages. I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cron writes with verbosity, thus leading to 1) long-winded paragraphs that could easily be exchanged for a few sentences, 2) repetitive statements and 3) quick disinterest. I started reading this book before bed because it exhausts me. I frequently have to reread paragraphs to figure out the point she is trying to make, because she rambles on and on and on and on.

While I agree a character's internal struggle drives the external plot, I don't believe every inch of something needs to be mapped out before an author begins working on it. Considering Cron said, at the beginning of the book, one's writing (grammar, punctuation and spelling) is not as important as the plot, I couldn't help feeling like she was berating readers and people for feeling like it IS important -- especially with her own poor grammar and punctuation. She throws high-vocabulary words out in a way that feels like she's trying to show off.

Really, Cron's cocky attitude grew too annoying.

The advice offered in this book seems detrimental to a story, especially since the sample novel by the budding writer seemed to change based on what Cron wanted rather than what the writer wanted -- a common top point indie authors often point out: indie publishing means you've more of a chance to publish the story you need to tell than what some editor or publishing character will want.

Don't even get me started on the misleading title.