"The Anatomy of Story is concrete and practical without resorting to simplistic 'Three Act Structure' screenwriting clichés. It will be an indispensable
guide to writing your first great script, a perfect survival manual to help you negotiate the often confusing, contradictory and cutthroat world of professional screenwriting."
-Larry Wilson,
co-writer /co-producer of Beetlejuice and co-writer of The Addams Family
Interviews with John Truby about
The Anatomy of Story
Dutton's Book Signing
Read Comments/Excerpts from The Anatomy of Story
See Photos of the event
Tips
Writer's Digest Interview #2: 10 Great Mistakes About Story
Book Summary
The Anatomy of Story is John Truby's long-awaited first book, and it shares all of his secrets for writing a compelling
script. Based on the lessons in his award-winning class, Great Screenwriting, The Anatomy of Story draws on a broad
range of philosophy and mythology, offering fresh techniques and insightful anecdotes alongside Truby's own unique approach
for how to build an effective, multifaceted narrative.
Truby's method for constructing a story is at once insightful and practical, focusing on the hero's moral and emotional growth. As a result, writers will dig deep within and explore their own values and worldviews in order to create an effective story. Writers will come away with an extremely precise set of tools to work with - specific, useful techniques to make the audience care about their characters, and that make their characters grow in meaningful ways. They will construct a surprising plot that is unique to their particular concept, and they will learn how to express a moral vision that can genuinely move an audience.
The foundations of story that Truby lays out are so fundamental they are applicable - and essential - to all writers, from novelists and short-story writers to journalists, memoirists, and writers of narrative non-fiction.
Editorial Reviews
"Hollywood story consultant Truby commits his vast knowledge of screenwriting and storytelling to the page in this handy
guide for aspiring writers of all types. Truby delves into the setup, from basic structure to the premise and the depth behind it. From there, he moves into character, emphasizing the importance of not only the hero but also the characters in the story who aid and oppose him. Truby illustrates the importance of setting to the story and how careful plotting is needed to weave the elements of the story together. He cautions that plot is not incidental and requires careful management and timely revelations. Although most of his examples are from movies, such as Tootsie, The Godfather, and Star Wars, Truby also draws from novels and plays, and his advice is applicable not only to the hopeful screenwriter but to the aspiring novelist as well.
A comprehensive guide to writing stories of all kinds, Truby's tome is invaluable to any writer looking to put an idea
to paper."
-Kristine Huntley
Booklist Review
Reader Reviews
Without a formal film education, I worked on the intricate mechanics of storytelling for years. In "Anatomy of Story", John Truby explains the underbelly of
"story" with a positive, concise message that should be required reading for all screenwriters, any novelist that wants to succeed, and any playwright who wishes
to make an impact.
-Rich Lucas
I read your book, "Anatomy of Story" in November. I've read over 70 books on writing and this one tops them all!
I also bought your entire course and am nearly finished with it. Great stuff!
I just wanted to say, THANK YOU!!!
-Mark O'Bannon
I purchased your book from Amazon last month after checking it out at the library (after attending a BEA workshop you gave last June in NYC).
The book is very, very helpful -- I am incorporating its principles in the kids' fiction I am working on.
Thank you!
-Suzanne Schwalb
Dear Fellow Humans Who Write:
My friend John Truby, best known as a "Hollywood Scriptwriting Guru," (and I use the term with respect), is really a fine, fine teacher of story for ALL
writers. His work and tips apply to all genres--novels, short stories, memoirs, journalism--you name it, John can help.
-Richard Beban
