Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been a student of story structure for decades. As a novelist, this initially started as a means to learn as much as I could from those with more experience than myself, but quickly grew into a passion. I read everything on the subject I could get my hands on and eventually began analyzing the plots of novels and movies for myself, amalgamating what I had learned with my own theories and insights which coalesced into a wholly new structural paradigm. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working with many talented screenwriters and novelists to help them shape their stories using Six Act Structure. 


I wrote

Actions and Goals: The Story Structure Secret

By Marshall Dotson,

Book cover of Actions and Goals: The Story Structure Secret

What is my book about?

Most structural paradigms are vague to the point of being esoteric. Terms like “dark night of the soul” or “return…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Screenwriting 101

Marshall Dotson Why did I love this book?

Most of the books on this list aren’t strictly about story structure but instead combine unique storytelling insights with innovative structural concepts. Topping the list in that regard is Film Crit Hulk’s Screenwriting 101. Equal parts writing guide and manifesto against overused storytelling techniques like 3-Act Structure and the Hero's Journey, his emotional approach to structuring stories is perhaps the most thought-provoking I’ve encountered. Unfortunately, the book is currently out-of-print, though I have heard that Hulk (a pseudonym, obviously) intends to release a second edition in the future. Fingers crossed.

This is currently out of print, but a new edition is expected soon.

By Film Crit Hulk,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Screenwriting 101 as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of My Story Can Beat Up Your Story: Ten Ways to Toughen Up Your Screenplay from Opening Hook to Knockout Punch

Marshall Dotson Why did I love this book?

Schechter divides the traditional 3-act structure into four parts; Act 1, Act 2A, Act 2B, and Act 3. While that’s not revolutionary in itself, he uses this four-part breakdown to structure multiple story elements like theme and motivation. My favorite element is his breakdown of the character’s story evolution into four archetypes: Orphan, Wanderer, Warrior, and Martyr. Seeing how these archetypes can be metaphorical such as Jason Bourne being “orphaned” from his previous life at the beginning of The Bourne Identity, or literal, such as Rose martyring herself by returning to the sinking Titanic to rescue Jack, is worth the price of admission alone.

By Jeffrey Alan Schechter,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked My Story Can Beat Up Your Story as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

My Story Can Beat Up Your Story! is the same powerful, easy-to-learn system that industry insiders have used to generate millions of dollars in script sales and ?assignments. In a clear, step-by-step fashion, this book is a fun, eye-opening, ?brain-expanding, and often irreverent guide to writing stories that sell. Covering everything from Heroes to Villains, from Theme to Plot Points, from cooking up good ideas to a business plan for smart writers, this book forever eliminates that horrible feeling every writer goes through — staring at the blank page and wondering “what comes next?”


Book cover of Stealing Hollywood

Marshall Dotson Why did I love this book?

I read Alexandra’s book years ago and she’s since released several revised editions. This book provides an insightful history of the 3-act and eight sequence structures she uses, and offers invaluable insight into overcoming the pitfalls of the dreaded “second-act sag”. But perhaps the most important lesson her book instilled in me is the importance of taking the time to analyze the structure of your own favorite movies and novels to understand why they resonate with you. She calls this your Master List and it’s a tool that every writer should have in their toolbox to improve their craft. 

By Alexandra Sokoloff,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Stealing Hollywood as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Are you finally committed to writing that novel or screenplay, but have no idea how to get started? Or are you a published author, but know you need some plotting help to move your books and career up to that next level? You CAN write better books and scripts—by learning from the movies. Screenwriting is based on a simple (and powerful) structure that you already know from watching so many movies and television shows in your lifetime. And it's a structure that your reader or audience unconsciously expects, and is crucial for you to deliver. In this textbook of the…


Book cover of The Nutshell Technique: Crack the Secret of Successful Screenwriting

Marshall Dotson Why did I love this book?

While most structural paradigms rely on a sequential series of seemingly unrelated plot points, Chamberlain’s nutshell technique breaks stories into eight interdependent stages that create a natural and logical flow to a story. Additionally, within these stages, she places equal importance on both the external elements of the plot and the internal motivations of the character to demonstrate how their interaction shapes the narrative. This is one of the more well-known books on the list, but one that I can’t recommend highly enough if you haven’t read it. I’d lend you my copy but it’s dog-eared to pieces.  

By Jill Chamberlain,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Nutshell Technique as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Veteran script consultant Jill Chamberlain discovered in her work that an astounding 99 percent of first-time screenwriters don't know how to tell a story. These writers may know how to format a script, write snappy dialogue, and set a scene. They may have interesting characters and perhaps some clever plot devices. But, invariably, while they may have the kernel of a good idea for a screenplay, they fail to tell a story. What the 99 percent do instead is present a situation. In order to explain the difference, Chamberlain created the Nutshell Technique, a method whereby writers identify eight dynamic,…


Book cover of The Moral Premise: Harnessing Virtue & Vice for Box Office Success

Marshall Dotson Why did I love this book?

As the title suggests, Williams’ book focuses on identifying the Moral Premise at the heart of your story idea and building around it. It’s a very thematic approach to storytelling. This Moral Premise essentially breaks the story into four components: a positive “virtue”, a negative “vice”, desirable consequences (success), and undesirable consequences (defeat). You can use this to create a simple structure of “Vice leads to undesirable consequences (defeat), while Virtue leads to desirable consequences (success)”. I'm admittedly oversimplifying it, but it's a great tactic to get to the heart of your story's theme and strengthen your narrative. 

By Stanley D. Williams,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Moral Premise as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Moral Premise reveals the foundational concept at the heart of all storytelling and successful box office movies. In concrete terms it explains how you can create your own success and, in the process, entertain, delight, challenge, and uplift this generation and the ones to come.


Explore my book 😀

Actions and Goals: The Story Structure Secret

By Marshall Dotson,

Book cover of Actions and Goals: The Story Structure Secret

What is my book about?

Most structural paradigms are vague to the point of being esoteric. Terms like “dark night of the soul” or “return with the elixir” are simultaneously too convoluted and too abstract to clearly impart their narrative functions. The Story Structure Secret: Actions and Goals eschews the traditional approach to story structure by teaching you how to use a simple, universal pattern of six character actions and goals to drive the structure of your narrative.

This sequence of actions and goals is the hidden foundation of your favorite novels and films, and by learning to align the unique actions your characters take with these universal story actions, you can easily create compelling and propulsive narratives. 

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Book cover of The Curious Reader's Field Guide to Nonfiction

Anne Janzer

New book alert!

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So many books, so little time! If you're a nonfiction fan, this field guide may help you make better choices about what to read.

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Attention nonfiction book lovers, this guide is for you!

If your nightstand is stacked with histories or essays, how-to guides or science books, The Curious Reader’s Field Guide to Nonfiction is going to be your new favorite companion.

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More than just a guide—a reading companion

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Interested in screenwriting, storytelling, and film?

Screenwriting 26 books
Storytelling 127 books
Film 238 books