Building Better Plots [Paperback]

Robert Kernen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1582972664 | ISBN-13: 978-1582972664 | Publication Date: April 1, 1999

Creating strong plots can be one of the most challenging aspects of writing narrative. This guide provides instruction for writers on analysing their work, and also introduces tools and methods for writing better plots from the outset.'

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: F&W Publications (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582972664
• ISBN-13: 978-1582972664
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,112,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Building Better Plots = Building Better Stories, July 1, 2002

By 

R. Tiedemann "Sunnye" (Bellevue, NE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building Better Plots (Hardcover)

Robert Kernan's experience as an Emmy award-winning scriptwriter for film and television certainly qualifies him to write this book. It also explains a good deal of his theory as well as his outlook on writing fiction. That outlook is heavily influenced by Syd Field's classic theories of story development and script writing. At the moment, Kernan is developing projects for Web TV networks.

It's always a pleasure to review a book by an author who clearly states his goals, then sets about methodically achieving them. In BUILDING BETTER PLOTS, Kernan makes three promises to his readers:
First, he'll introduce "tried-and-true" elements that make good plots and examine them in depth.
Second, he'll teach the reader to outline and how to "tinker" with a plot.
Third, he'll offer questions and exercises to keep readers focused and to give them insight into how to determine the strengths and weaknesses of their projects. Kernan accomplishes these goals with finesse by covering all aspects of plot and illustrating their functions with examples from a wide variety of novels and movies.

In fact, he has put together one of the most insightful, practical and useful books I've ever seen on constructing a story. He begins with how to choose a subject and writes, "A plot isn't merely a string of occurrences; it is a carefully orchestrated telling of events that might include breaking up their temporal order." He takes the reader through developing the story arc from the inciting incident through conflict to climax and resolution, all the time showing how to unify the project through devices like subplots and setting.

BUILDING BETTER PLOTS is far more than a basic treatise on story construction. It is a complete and careful analysis of each element of story, and provides a series of useful exercises designed to make each plot a page-turner. You'll find fill-in questions, timelines and quizzes aimed at clarifying the focus of your plot. At the end of the book there's a comprehensive plot tutorial. All of this adds up to teaching readers how to keep the focus of the plot and how to stimulate story progression through a variety of plot devices including nonlinear structure and framing.

The book is divided into three major sections: The Building Materials of Plot (with chapters on narrative, on structure, on the inciting incident,on rising action and climax, and one on resolution); Building the Plot (chapters on archetypical plots, on creating characters and back story, on constructing an outline, on subplots, and also on deepening the story's resonance); ending with the aforementioned tutorial.

Kernan is a great believer in using an outline and his explanation for why it's useful is most convincing. So, too, is his argument for using one. An outline "frees your mind and your intuition to work on the writing of your story, the characters, the dialogue, the language, etc., unconcerned about whether the construction is sound." He convinced me; I tried his method, and it worked.

My favorite quote (possibly because I've seen more book reviewer than writers forget it) is: "Every audience and author have an unspoken part. The reader agrees to suspend belief, to give the author a little flexibility with reality in return for good drama. The author accepts the audience's forbearance and promises not to abuse that suspension of belief." His point here is that the author cannot afford to raise the story stakes too high but if you throw the reader a well-timed, well-aimed curve ball the reader will become more involved and more sympathetic.

In a refreshing statement at the end, Kernan challenges his reader to master his techniques, then toss them aside. "Only your reader will be able to judge whether or not you've challenged them successfully or unsuccessfully," he says. IF you work your way through this book, you'll find it time well spent and your stories as well as your readers will be well served.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great plot guide, August 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Building Better Plots (Hardcover)

This is one of two writing guides I've found that are worth more than the purchase price. It is absolutely essential if you are looking to write a well-structured novel (or any other type of fiction), as the author explains the traditional plot structure better than any other book I've seen. He also outlines nine plot archetypes, including various characteristics of each, and makes great suggestions about how to change the dynamics and resonance of your plot. The index card outlining process he recommends seemed hokey at first, but when I tried it, my plot became much more defined and it was easier to plan. I also recommend "Structuring Your Novel" by Robert Meredith, which is an excellent companion for both plot and scene structure.

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Literally EVERYTHING you need to know about plotting!, June 17, 1999

By 

Kate Canon ([e-mail]) (Santa Barbara, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building Better Plots (Hardcover)

Except for your own story idea, this book provides it all. I imagine anyone would be a better writer using only this one reference. Too bad it wasn't published before I bought the other 30 references in my library! It's imminently practical with plenty of illustrations--succinct and provocative. If you're an organizer, you'll love it. If you need organization, you have to have it!