Story (Abridged): Style, Structure, Substance, and the Pri Audiobook

" To paraphrase some anonymous soul who is much smarter than me, you gotta learn the rules before you break them. Story contains all those rules. You can argue it's too rigid, too structured, or too stifling, but to do that ignores that fact that this is arguable the most meticulous dissection of the writing craft ever packed into a single book. Ignore it at your readers' peril. "

" Only the best book ever on the topic of structuring stories. An industry standard. "

" Filled with useful information about how to create a good story, but also longer than it needed to be. The author spent a lot of time working to convince readers that it isn't more noble to write art film scripts than traditional scripts, and I didn't need to be convinced of that. "

" Gets redundant in places, but I think I'll "read" films a bit differently after reading this book. "

" A unique read that will help your ad agency in presentations. It provided a lot of help to me personally for my writing. This is also a great content marketing tool. "

" Wow this is a big book. I got the audio version. Still great stuff. (Donald Miller wrote a small book with the same concepts). "

" The most useful writing book I've ever read. "

" One of the best craft books I've ever read. Ever. "

" This is the hands-down book for creative writing, screenwriting and story structure. Story is about principles, not rules. McKee teaches how to navigate an idea or plot to expand its potential. "

" the best way to know how to be a writer. Robert McKee is the wizard "

" Good book to learn the basics of screen writing and format. Style however is not stressed in this book, a must for selling a story. "

" Absolutely amazing. A truly in-depth study of what it means to tell a good story. "

" This is a book that anyone interested in story telling should read. There are definitely some specifics about screenplay writing, but it teaches a lot about what tells a good story. I loved it! "

" The thing that kept this from being 5 stars for me was the swearing and the vulgar subject matter of the movies and stories he discussed. But his in depth analysis of what makes a good story was insightful and very useful. I thought it was one of the most useful texts on writing that I've read. "

" self-help for the cinema crowd ? it helps.... "

" Not a must read for writers but good for screenwriters. "

" brilliant analysis of what it takes to write a story people want to watch/experience "

" This sits on my shelf, and sometimes I glance over at it, but doubt I will actually finish it. "

" Lots to digest. A book I will return to many times. Hilarious in many places. And, best of all, it makes me excited to get to work. "

" Why wasn't this required reading in graduate school? "

" There's a lot of BS in this book but overall it's was fascinating seeing stories broken down into their core components. "

" If you want your entire outlook on film, books, and your own personal writing to be utterly wrecked, then this is the book for you. It will change the way you think about story for the better. "

" I own 15 different books about writing - this is the one I consult the most. "

" mmmm, digest it aspiring writers "

" This inspired me not only to write a screenplay, but to write a better screenplay! I watch movies and say: NOW i understand. "

" Lots of great ideas for anyone writing in any medium, not just film. To be read critically but to be read. "

" More right then I probably want to admit. "

" Five stars from me rates that I recommend the book and will keep a copy for reference. I wish all members of our writing group read this so we have the same definitions to use when we critique each others' stories. "

" A master piece on hollywood storytelling "

" The best book on writing stories, whether fiction or film, I've ever read. "

" I'd recommend this book to not only people interested in screenwriting, but anyone seeking a greater appreciation of film in general. "

" phenomenal, yet a bit eccentric at times "

" This books is singly responsible for the improvement in my writing lately. It was also a huge help with several scripts I have been working on. A MUST have for all writers of any format. "

" I love this book! This book is so inspirational and helps me understand the craft of screenwriting. "

" I highly recommend this book to novel writers, even though it is ostensibly about screenwriting. McKee will change the way you think about storytelling. "

" After I mentioned my literary ambitions to a screenwriter friend of the family, she sent me this book. It was a very thoughtful gift and has certainly given me a new way to think about and reflect upon the movies. "

" If you want to understand the mechanics of storytelling (screen or page), this book is a wonder. Some suggest it's prescriptive, but I don't see it. You want to know the form you're ultimately going to break? Story will show you that form in the most concise terms. "

" I've read this before but it's time to revisit. Great book. "