There are a lot of books about writing out there and they're great for various reasons. Anne LaMott's BIRD BY BIRD, for example, is a great book about what it's like to be a writer, as well as how to write (but mostly what the writing life is like). I've heard Stephen King's book ON WRITING is good, though I still haven't read it. And I found Carolyn Wheat's book, HOW TO WRITE KILLER FICTION particularly useful as a crime fiction author. And there are other books on writing that I've liked.
However, I just finished a book that taught me more, in greater detail, about storytelling than I've ever gotten from any other source. STORY by Robert McKee may be intended for screenwriters, but it has a lot to offer novelists.
The book analyzes the classic three-act story structure, explaining how each act is made up of a series of shots (like I said, it's intended for screenwriters) that create scenes, knit together into sequences. But it also covers the techniques for propelling a story along (no matter what the format). It discusses character and dialogue--again, with emphasis on the cinematic. But there's still something in the discussion for everyone. It even explores theme--and how it's expressed in all the visual details in a scene (among other things).
Let's put it this way--any book that can get endorsements from film and TV screenwriters AND a novelist must be something special. Although the book focuses on screenwriting, it also compares that form to prose fiction and plays. Understanding the differences gives you insight, as well.
And the bottom line is that no matter what kind of story you want to tell or media you want to use to tell it, this book will help.
I got a copy from the library. I intend to buy one for future reference. (Not something I do every day with a book like this.)
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