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What our customer's say!

"More than a how-to....", I was very pleased to find that this "how-to" guide is actually a very well written introduction to and analysis of the major plots found in all storytelling media in our culture.
The writing is crisp, enjoyable, accessible, yet also deep with critical insights valuable to any writer or wannabe.
I've already recommended it to several friends without hesitation! Read, learn, apply, enjoy!

"Anatomy of a novel", There is a theory that states that every story ever told fits into one (or more) of a small number of plot structures. These "master plots" are usually something like the quest, love, rivalry, etc. I'm still not entirely convinced that this theory is true. However, looking through the 20 master plots listed in this book, I will admit that I find it difficult to think of a story that doesn't fit into one or more of these categories.

"20 Master Plots" is not so much a writing manual, as the sort of book you would expect to be set if you were taking a university level writing or literature course. Although it does provide advice on how to write a novel which fits into one of these plot structures, most of the book is made up of analyses of existing books and movies that fit into one of these categories. Nevertheless, as an aspiring novelist, I have found this book to be of far more use to me than any of the writing manuals which I own. I find this book to be incredibly useful when I am starting a novel and trying to develop the plot. Although, I don't follow the prescribed plot structures religiously, I find that the plot structures provide me with useful suggestions as to elements that I might like to include in my story. If this book is even only half as useful to you as it is to me, it will be well worth your money.



"Thank you thank you thank you, Tobias", I must thank the universe and Tobias for this incredibly clear and helpful book. I am a published novelist, and have turned to this book many times in order to improve and better organize my stories. Tobias is so right when he speaks of the importance in connecting events, the cause and effect spark that happens from scene to scene in a tight plot, and many helful reminders on how to ignite the fire that brings a good story its drama. People who believe that plots naturally write themselves may have their points, but its important not to misinterpret Tobias's approach to what it means to have structure. He teaches that PLOT is not a skeleton which you hang your story over, artificially and easily, but an organic FORCE that you must find within your protagonists---having to do with his path---that propells your story along in the most dynamic way possible. This book has been the most essential gift to my career so far and I pass it on to all aspiring writers as well as experienced writers who are still in the process of serious edits. I recently began reading it from cover to cover and wish this would have been required reading when I was in writing school. I attended a master's program at USC, and after all the how-to books I've read, this remains my bible.

"Helpful", This is a helpful book for the writer to own. However, imagination and courage is something that can not be learnt. But if you already have these attributes than this is a book is one you that you should read.

"Not a bad option but not a great one either", This book intrigued me when I saw it on the shelf at Barnes and Noble. I picked it up and have just recently started reading through it.

At first it looks like a book that will give a solid basis for building a plot by finding the patterns each plot has. The reality is that this book shows how to give SOME basis to building your plot. Where the author isn't taking up paragraphs to say what could be said in a sentence (and usually what he is saying is painfully obvious) he has a clear bias against certain genres. He doesn't come out and say "commercial fiction is contrived, formulaic garbage and you're an idiot if you buy it - just read literally fiction instead, it's so much more refreshing!" but if you read the other reviews for this book you'll see that I'm not the only one who feels that he was trying to convey that message.

Is it worth the money? That depends. Spending $10, $20, even $40 on a book that only has one concept that makes you think, puts what you know in a different perspective, or in any other way changes how you look at what you write is more than worth the money. Whether or not this book has that concept is up to the individual to decide.

You could do a lot worse than "20 Master Plots And How to Build Them" but there are many better books too. And most of those don't talk down to you for enjoying a piece of fiction that's backed by a large label or producing studio.

Edit August 5 2008 Instead of this, I would recommend the "Write Great Fiction" series and "Novelist's Boot Camp."

Read this reviews before You buy...

"It's helping me out constantly", This book is a really great help to me, a young writer. The book doesn't promise to solve all of my plotting problems for me, it makes me think! I'm constantly learning something about plotting each time I pick it up. (Now I need to buy a style guide....) Great buy-

My only complaint is that its sometimes too repetitive. In one chapter he said the same thing 4 different ways! Though I must admit, it did help me remember and understand a little bit better.

"WORTH STUDYING",
20 MASTER PLOTS (And How to Build Them), by Ronald B. Tobias, provides an interesting analysis of plot, in general, and then a chapter-by-chapter countdown of twenty specific master-plot scenarios. Whether you believe there are really only one or two basic plots upon which all stories are built, or whether you believe there are an infinite number of plots, 20 MASTER PLOTS is worth studying.


"Themes, themes, themes", 20 Master Plots is the perfect addition to the library of any aspiring writer. This book takes you through twenty different plot themes, with a note in mind on what the plot theme is, and how to implement it in the Three Act structure.
While the book does give you a semblance of an outline in regards to themes, and what should go in which Act, it does NOT tell you how to develop the plot according to theme.
All in all, if you are writing a story about sacrifice or adventure, or one of the 18 other things this book covers, and you are having problems with what is involved in the theme, this is the book for you.

"Big on promises, short on delivery", I'm afraid this book has very little to recommend it. Not only is it out of touch with classical and contemporary literature on its subject of choice, all the master structures described aren't really plot structures either, but rather smaller narrative "motifs". And where are all the illustrative, helpful examples from literature and film to flesh out the descriptions? Probably in some other book.

For a well-researched, expansive, and empirically grounded take on basic plot structures, I recommend Christopher Booker's "The Seven Basic Plots".

"A nice survey of plots. Will get you started", I have been working on a mystery novel and I picked up 20 Master Plots to help me structure the story. Since I've already got my basic plot (Mystery) I was able to use the book to help me make sure that I had my ducks in a row.

However, the book will not go much deeper than getting you started in any master plot type. It essentially delivers a magazine article about every plot type -- a great starting place.

The book is a great reference book and should sit in the writers library. From there it will deliver wisdom in 10-minute shots and get you going on any story.