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The Art and Craft of Storytelling: A Comprehensive Guide to Classic Writing Techniques
by
Nancy Lamb (Goodreads Author)
Master the Power of StoryWhen you consider the thousands of years of storytelling that comprise our literary tradition, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the shadow of so many works. But there are common threads that link all stories--from "Beowulf" and "Hamlet" to "Gone With the Wind" and "The Godfather" to the story you're drafting right now in your head. These threads fo...more
Paperback, 263 pages
Published
December 15th 2008
by Writers Digest Books
(first published November 17th 2008)
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Nancy Lamb's book on writing is one of the best I've read. She has avoided many of the mistakes experienced writers tend to make in their advice books: forgetting what it's like to be a new writer, and a writer who has not yet been published by a trade publisher. She also avoided slanting her book toward trade publishing as opposed to self-publishing. I'm not a new writer (been at it for 12 years), but after years of frustration I elected to self-publish. Everything in Nancy's book was very appl...more
Nancy Lamb does a great job in her book The Art of Craft of Storytelling and describes various techniques to help the aspiring writers get better. She goes in depth of the different elements involved in writing fiction. Elements like Building Plans- the initial step of thinking what genre interests you and discovering your story to write about; Foundation and Structure- helps to structure your story and how to correctly begin, maintain the interest in the middle part of the story, and end the no...more
The Art and Craft of Storytelling: A Comprehensive Guide to Classic Writing Techniques is a must-have book for the aspiring writer. It is, without a doubt, the single best book on the subject of story writing that I have ever read. Among its many virtues was the encouragement I found in the final chapter of the book to "read, read, read" with a mind to asking questions while reading IN ORDER TO determine how to write well. Nancy Lamb supplies the reader with seventeen questions and I've found th...more
This is one of the best writing craft books that I have ever read. It is as helpful and insightful as it is witty and humorous. Nancy Lamb's voice makes this a very entertaining read. Although this book is geared towards writing a novel, the principles can also be applied to any sort of fiction writing, including short stories. If you've never taken a writing course before, I would highly recommend this book. As for me, I look forward to using this book as a reference for future stories and book...more
I use this book for content for my lectures in a undergraduate-level creative writing class I teach. I like that the information is accessible, logical, and insightful. I wouldn't say that it creates break-through writing momements, but it helps put the whole process into perspective without mucking up the waters with too long of examples or overstretched lectures.
Wise...Inspirational...Humorous...Clear!!!
I have been searching...searching and I finally found you! I have been wanting to transition from writing poetry to a novel. I have read several other " How To " books on the subject but " The Art and Craft of Storytelling " by far surpasses them all.
Nancy Lamb's book...voice , resonated with me immediately , like a talisman initiating me into the mysteries!
I have been searching...searching and I finally found you! I have been wanting to transition from writing poetry to a novel. I have read several other " How To " books on the subject but " The Art and Craft of Storytelling " by far surpasses them all.
Nancy Lamb's book...voice , resonated with me immediately , like a talisman initiating me into the mysteries!
I plan to buy this book to use with my community college class on Writing for Children. It includes an excellent explanation of point of view. Lamb also includes reading suggestions for each of her chapters. Some of these books sound so interesting that I've included them on my "to read" list!
Lamb accomplishes what she set out to do. Those who've spent lots of time studying the craft of writing stories may not find much they haven't already encountered. But it's a wonderful primer for beginners and a good review for veterans.
It didn't provide everything I was looking for, but I appreciate the book for giving me the basics on how story works. I liked how she would give a set of rules but then say that they can be broken if you're Charles Dickens.
So far (about 2/3 way done) it's an excellent, approachable book that will help you write better stories.
Some things that strike me about this book:
1) It's a much more vibrant and funny book that the dull, bland cover would suggest. If you judge a book by its cover, you'll totally misjudge this! It looks like some academic treatise on storytelling, when in fact it is a very personal, inviting, and frank discussion on how to hook your reader and keep them reading.
2) This is not a book you will r...more
Some things that strike me about this book:
1) It's a much more vibrant and funny book that the dull, bland cover would suggest. If you judge a book by its cover, you'll totally misjudge this! It looks like some academic treatise on storytelling, when in fact it is a very personal, inviting, and frank discussion on how to hook your reader and keep them reading.
2) This is not a book you will r...more
This book is an incredible resource. Concise, easy-to-read, a must have for writers both old and new.
I enjoy the ideas and suggestions she gives. So many writing books are boring.. I enjoyed this one.
One of the MOST helpful books on the craft of writing--I'm amazed by Ms. Lamb's prose, insights, and cogent way of conveying complex writing philosophies and techniques.
Bar none, the best how-to book about writing I've ever read. And I've read a lot.
A must read for anyone interested in improving upon their craft.
A good read. Effective storytelling takes on many aspects which Lamb demonstrates. Both helpful if read or after you've written a book. I would recommend.
This is a great book on writing. I am going to have to buy it since it's not the kind of book you read cover to cover but refer too over and over.
This book has given my creative process a much-needed kick in the pants. I have to give it 5 stars, regardless of whether I agree with any particular detail of Lamb's volume.
great addition to my writer's resource shelf.
May 27, 2013
Meilin
marked it as to-read
May 10, 2013
Tanya Fink
marked it as to-read
May 16, 2013
Rylie
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Apr 25, 2013
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Apr 23, 2013
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is currently reading it
Apr 10, 2013
Kevin Beasley
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Nancy Lamb is the author of 43 fiction and non-fiction books for adults and children. She is also the author of The Art and Craft of Storytelling and The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children.
Lamb serves on the faculty of the Big Sur Writing Workshop and the Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop. She taught at the Hariette Austin Writing Program at the University of Georgia. And she also t...more
More about Nancy Lamb...
Lamb serves on the faculty of the Big Sur Writing Workshop and the Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop. She taught at the Hariette Austin Writing Program at the University of Georgia. And she also t...more
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