Wired for Story
Books | Language Arts & Disciplines / Writing / General
4.3
Lisa Cron
This guide reveals how writers can utilize cognitive storytelling strategies to craft stories that ignite readers’ brains and captivate them through each plot element.Imagine knowing what the brain craves from every tale it encounters, what fuels the success of any great story, and what keeps readers transfixed. Wired for Story reveals these cognitive secrets—and it’s a game-changer for anyone who has ever set pen to paper.The vast majority of writing advice focuses on “writing well” as if it were the same as telling a great story. This is exactly where many aspiring writers fail—they strive for beautiful metaphors, authentic dialogue, and interesting characters, losing sight of the one thing that every engaging story must do: ignite the brain’s hardwired desire to learn what happens next. When writers tap into the evolutionary purpose of story and electrify our curiosity, it triggers a delicious dopamine rush that tells us to pay attention. Without it, even the most perfect prose won’t hold anyone’s interest.Backed by recent breakthroughs in neuroscience as well as examples from novels, screenplays, and short stories, Wired for Story offers a revolutionary look at story as the brain experiences it. Each chapter zeroes in on an aspect of the brain, its corresponding revelation about story, and the way to apply it to your storytelling right now.
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Author
Lisa Cron
Pages
272
Publisher
Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed
Published Date
2012-07-10
ISBN
1607742454 9781607742456
Community ReviewsSee all
"Armed with scientific research on the purpose and value of story, Cron cuts through the crap to expose the bottom line of good story-telling. In so doing she accomplishes some pretty amazing things: <br/><br/>She helps pantsers figure out what needs to be outlined, and planners figure out what needs to be cut. <br/><br/>She exposes the tragic misunderstandings of such maxims as "show, don't tell," and "write what you know."<br/><br/>She busts some of the world's biggest writing myths.<br/><br/>And she reveals the two skills that make the difference between ho-hum writers and gifted story-tellers.<br/><br/>All of this while weaving craft fundamentals together in a helpful, challenging, easy to understand way. <br/><br/>A concise and witty read, this is a book that helps authors pull all other craft books together toward the best possible end. Come prepared with highlighters and notecards, and use her litmus questions to check your work and take your writing to the next level."
Crimson Sparrow