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The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller Paperback – October 14, 2008

by John Truby (Author)

4.7 3,000 ratings

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"If you're ready to graduate from the boy-meets-girl league of screenwriting, meet John Truby . . . [his lessons inspire] epiphanies that make you see the contours of your psyche as sharply as your script."
―LA Weekly

John Truby is one of the most respected and sought-after story consultants in the film industry, and his students have gone on to pen some of Hollywood's most successful films, including Sleepless in Seattle, Scream, and Shrek. The Anatomy of Story is his long-awaited first book, and it shares all 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 to building an effective, multifaceted narrative.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Truby attempts to inform the entire story, addressing plot, character, tone, symbolism, and dialog. The key here is to grow a script organically rather than force the story into preexisting mechanics . . . Highly recommended.” ―Library Journal

“A comprehensive guide to writing stories of all kinds, Truby's tome is invaluable to any writer looking to put an idea to paper.” ―Booklist

“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. Then, the 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

“A veritable bible for screenwriters.” ―Backstage

“If you're ready to graduate from the boy-meets-girl league of screenwriting, meet John Truby . . . [His lessons draw] epiphanies that make you see the contours of your psyche as sharply as your script.” ―LA Weekly

About the Author

John Truby is the founder and director of Truby’s Writers Studio. Over the past thirty years, he has taught more than fifty thousand students worldwide, including novelists, screenwriters, and TV writers. Together, these writers have generated more than fifteen billion dollars at the box office.

Truby has an ongoing program where he works with students who are actively creating shows, movies, and novel series. He regularly applies his genre techniques in story consulting work with major studios including Disney, Sony Pictures, Fox, HBO, the BBC, Canal Plus, Globo, and AMC. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Leslie, and their two cats, Tink and Peanut.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrar, Straus and Giroux; First Edition (October 14, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0865479933
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0865479937
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.5 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.15 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #8,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2 in Screenwriting (Books)
- #28 in Performing Arts (Books)
- #523 in Reference (Books)

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4.7 3,000 ratings

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John Truby

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John Truby is a Hollywood story consultant and international screenwriting teacher. He is regarded as the serious writer’s story coach and has taught his 22-Step Great Screenwriting and Genre courses to sold-out audiences in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Sydney, Rome, Toronto, and other far-flung locales. Over the past twenty-five years, more than 40,000 students have taken Truby’s Anatomy of Story Masterclass and rave about the insights and direction it has given them. According to PC Magazine, Truby is “the best script doctor in the movie industry.”

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Sarita

Great book & great quality

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2024

Verified Purchase

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I just started reading, but it is great info so far. I love the organization of sections, visuals, and story-like narration. There were no physical defects and it came in pristine condition.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Miklos Kremser

Very, very well written - very useful

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2023

Verified Purchase

This guy is so thorough and so insightful, with such great explanations that I think this book is a must have for those who want to write original and well crafted stories. I've read a few books on screenwriting, some good ones and some not so good ones. I read another one recently where the writer confused a teaching-book with a comedy club. But this one, The Anatomy of a Story - is professional, well-thought-through, great explanations, lots and lots of "aha! insights" and great details. To be honest, it starts our a bit slow, and the very first chapter is a bit boring... but then it starts. Here is how the greatest writers handle this... here is how great writing includes that, pays attention to this or that structure. While in the very beginning I thought "oh, no... this is dragging here..." - now, 100 pages into it, I can't put it down. Great insights and instructions on every page. Good purchase!

9 people found this helpful

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J.D.R.

A must-read on practical story-telling structure, strategy, methodology…

Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2024

Verified Purchase

Probably the best, least limiting comprehensive book on story-telling structure, strategy, method/technique that I’ve ever read. Add this to other hard-bit looks at story telling such as Stephen King’s *On Writing* and Jack Grapes’s method-writing techniques and a well-rounded picture takes shape that allows for other perspectives to come in along the way (Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey, Blake Snyder, etc.). Recommended for anyone who’s been disappointed by the typically shrugworthy “creative writing” offerings found throughout academia.

One person found this helpful

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J Hendricks

Good book full of easy to understand examples but beware

Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2014

Verified Purchase

I purchased the book and found the process well organized and the examples clear. As a non-MFA writer, I was able to follow the process. Within a surprisingly short time I was able to completely fill in the plot of my new book.

I was so impressed, I decided to purchase the software and training from his website. (advertised in the book).

That is where I quickly became less enthusiastic. The software is incredibly expensive. Be prepared to pay over $100.

I for one, was prepared to pay the amount and completed the online purchase for download. That's when I got my first surprise.

The download did not show up immediately which left me feeling a bit taken. I immediately sent an email and several hours later I received a followup email with my information. Relieved I calmed and bided my time till I could get home from work and download the software. I was very eager to enter my book information and get started.

When I got home, I quickly got out my Macbook and started the download. Installation was a bit confusing but I was able to get it done.

Then after I started the software it sits for a lengthy time doing nothing. Finally when I was about to send another email asking for technical assistance, the software pops up an activation entry screen. No warning messages anywhere in the emails or website about this frustrating little gem. I searched everything. So I called the listed number and of course, they are only open during the hours I am at work and since it is now Friday night, I have to wait till Monday to get to use software I paid $250 for.

I'm disappointed and frustrated.

So, if you want a good story structure book that is easy to understand for the non-writer beginner, this is a good choice.

But if you want the additional help of the software I'd think twice and be prepared for a frustrating wait. If a company wants to use installation verification then they should use 24/7 automation to complete it.

5 people found this helpful

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Kendra J

Great read

Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2024

Verified Purchase

If you want to learn to how to write plot lines, then this is the book for you.

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Melton E. Cartes

Truby on Your Shoulder

Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2009

Verified Purchase

I wasn't aware that John Truby had finally put his Classic Story Structure class in print until I ran into a person who had a copy of this book. I was thrilled to see that indeed it is "the works" and have since bought it and I'm now using it in my third rewrite of my latest screenplay.

I've even started a Facebook Group, The Truby-philes, at: [...]

If you've purchased this book or taken any of Truby's classes, please become a fan of the group and share your thoughts, insights, challenges and questions. Having taken his Classic Story Structure and Action classes, I've been pretty well versed in story structure and have incorporated it in over 25 scripts, 13 that I consider marketable and 3 of which made it to the semifinals in 2 different contests. However, each new idea presents its own unique challenges, and getting feedback from other Truby-philes can only be helpful. Hence the group.

So, as I read through the book, I'm doing the recommended exercises in a notebook and I'm really enjoying it. It's like have John sitting on my shoulder while I do my rewrite (only much lighter). One thing I realized in between my 1st and 2nd drafts of my latest script was that I didn't really set up the Opponent correctly or thoroughly enough. It made the action in the story seem a bit irrelevant or almost pointless. I was so excited about the premise, and thought I knew my stuff enough, that I went off half-cocked.

Now, with what I've read and done so far, I'm noticing how much more texture and emotional depth my story has and how the opponent is coming into much, much more focus, promising (what I hope will be) a very cool third draft. Hopefully a contest winner this time!

Definitely join the Facebook group to keep up with my progress and, of course, buy the book! It beats all of the others out there.

A word about the annoying catch-phrase, "the three-act structure." That has unfortunately permeated all of the aspiring screenwriting community as well as too much of Hollywood, leaving people ultimately floundering in search of solid ground or a reliable meaning behind those words. The notion comes from the Theater where plays consist of 1, 2 or even 5 and 6 acts (operas too), none of which helps explain the underlying workings of "narrative" at the heart of either those stories or any others. Truby's work does explain the workings very clearly and very, very precisely, while also showing how true craft only frees the artist to explore and create, it does not limit.

Enjoy the book!

4 people found this helpful

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Peter

Plunge deep into the art of storytelling

Reviewed in Canada on April 29, 2024

Verified Purchase

As a writer who wants to improve my writing, I've read many books on writing (to learn how to stuff another 'writing' into an overburdened sentence) and John Truby's book is often mentioned as the gold standard of how to write a great story.

I can see why, as John is incredibly thorough, going in depth into all the aspects of story telling from premise to character to scene construction. What is appreciate is the organic approach he advocates with many examples from great movies and tales. However, that depth makes it hard to grasp the whole of the approach and sitting down to implement his concepts into a practical structure is challenging.

I think it would take a few reads to get his ideas integrated into an author's process but well worth doing. Perhaps it's best to view his concepts as guideposts to make sure you have not wandered far off the path of a great story.

Filippo Balboni

Ótimos insights

Reviewed in Brazil on August 3, 2022

Verified Purchase

Truby tem um jeito meio "parrudo" de escrever e ele divide os plot points de uma forma mais granular do que deveria, então às vezes fica um pouco difícil de aplicar na prática. Mas ainda assim, esse livro tem insights que não existem em outros manuais, principalmente sobre desenvolvimento temático e personagens. Recomendo muito!

2 people found this helpful

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Jools

Great insights if you are writing.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2024

Verified Purchase

Helped me to understand my own writing, what all the pieces are, how they fit together. Where things needed shaping for a slightly better fit. Not formulaic. An intelligent approach to the story.

Purchaser

Best purchase ever.

Reviewed in India on January 9, 2024

Verified Purchase

I was searching all across the best for the perfect story telling book and this book has so in depth, clear and simple explanation on how to write a great story.

One person found this helpful

Emanuel

Best screenwriting book

Reviewed in Italy on January 14, 2023

Verified Purchase

The best book of screenwriting that don't tells you how to put in place the pieces of the story, but how to create that pieces.

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