Monkeys with Typewriters : How to Write Fiction and Unlock the Secret Power of Stories

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. 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, from the acclaimed author of The End of Mr. Y and Our Tragic Universe Exploring how fiction works,this manualshows you how you can learn to understand it well enough to crack open any fictional narrative, and,if you like, start creating your own. Haveyoueverhad your heart broken, orbrokensomeoneelse'sheart? Haveyouever wonanargumentbut later realizedyou werewrong? Have youevertripped inpublic or spilled wine on someone else's carpet?Have you ever tried to help someone who didn't want to be helpedor 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 thatyou've been the subject ofgossip yourself?Have you everbasically felt like a chimp in a pair ofjeans, caught up in endless drama and with no idea of how the universe works? This is an ode tosecret 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*. 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.