Monkeys with typewriters : how to write fiction and unlock the secret power of stories

**A manual for reading and writing better that explores the great plots from Plato to __The Matrix__ and Tolstoy to __Toy Story__, from the acclaimed author of __The End of Mr. Y__ and __Our Tragic Universe__** Exploring how fiction works, this manual shows you how you can learn to understand it well enough to crack open any fictional narrative, and, if you like, start creating your own. Have you ever had your heart broken, or broken someone else's heart? Have you ever won an argument but later realized you were wrong? Have you ever tripped in public or spilled wine on someone else's carpet? Have you ever tried to help someone who didn't want to be helped—or even someone who did? Have you ever been in trouble, big or small? Have you ever felt trapped? Have you ever gossiped, felt bad about it, and then found that you've been the subject of gossip yourself? Have you ever basically felt like a chimp in a pair of jeans, caught up in endless drama and with no idea of how the universe works? This is an ode to secret power of stories, and a guide to cracking those powers open. A manual for reading and writing better that explores the great plots from Plato to The Matrix and Tolstoy to Toy Story. This manual shows you how you can learn to understand it well enough to crack open any fictional narrative, and, start creating your own. Have you ever had your heart broken, or broken someone else's heart? Have you ever won an argument but later realized you were wrong? Have you ever tripped in public or spilled wine on someone else's carpet? Have you ever tried to help someone who didn't want to be helped--or even someone who did? Have you ever been in trouble, big or small? Have you ever felt trapped? Have you ever gossiped, felt bad about it, and then found that you've been the subject of gossip yourself? Have you ever basically felt like a chimp in a pair of jeans, caught up in endless drama and with no idea of how the universe works? This is an ode to secret power of stories, and a guide to cracking those powers open--Résumé de l'éditeur A manual for reading and writing better that explores the great plots from Plato to *The Matrix* and Tolstoy to *Toy Story*. Broken into two sections: Part 1: Theory; and Part 2: Practice. Part 1 discusses Plato and Aristotle, Tragedy and Plot, Fairy Stories, and the Eight Basic Plots. Part 2 covers getting ideas for your fiction, styles of narration, characterisation, how to write a good sentence and beginning to write your novel. Stories are everywhere... Exploring the great plots from Plato to The Matrix and from Tolstoy to Toy Story, this is a book for anyone who wants to unlock any narrative and learn to create their own. With startling and original insights into how we construct stories, this is a creative writing book like no other. It will show you how to read and write better. Content: Theory: Inside Plato's cave -- Going to bed with Aristotle -- Targedy and the complex plot -- How to turn a fairy tale into an equation -- The eight basic plots. Practice -- How to have ideas -- Styles of narration -- Characterisation -- Writing a good sentence -- Begining to write a novel.