What if you could look inside a novel and see exactly how it works, like a doctor analyzing an x-ray or MRI scan? In The Story Grid Contenders Analysis Guide to Four Core Fiction the authors look deep into the heart of these short stories written by Story Grid Certified editors along with Story Grid founders Shawn Coyne and Tim Grahl. How does each scene break down and work on its own? The scene is the essential tool in a writer's arsenal. In this guide you will go beat-by-beat through each scene and look at how and why it works. Digging deep into a scene beat-by-beat is an amazing way to study writing. This Story Grid Contenders Analysis Guide is a valuable tool for any writer or editor interested in the art and science of storytelling. By showing you the inner workings of each beat-by-beat of the scene is the way to level up your craft.

What if you could look inside a novel and see exactly how it works, like a doctor analyzing an x-ray or MRI scan? In The Story Grid Contenders Analysis Guide to The Threshing Tim Grahl and Shawn Coyne look deep into the heart of Grahl’s dystopian action novel set in a grim future where people compete in a virtual world to survive in the real one. What essential actions lie beneath the moves the characters make? How does each scene propel the story forward? Coyne opens the Guide by analyzing the structure of the Action Story, the first and most primal fiction genre. Why have humans shared heroic tales that pivot on life-or-death choices ever since we began gathering around campfires? Why do Action stories persist at the top of bestseller lists? Because they speak to our desire to experience heart-stopping fear and excitement and learn hard lessons vicariously. Coyne’s analysis provides the framework you need to satisfy those desires in readers. Then Grahl takes you into his process of crafting a story that works by dissecting the structure of each scene, from inciting incident to crisis to resolution. You’ll see the critical choices he made to deepen his characters’ dilemmas and surprise readers again and again. There is simply no better way to learn the craft of storytelling than to study a novel scene by scene. This Story Grid Contenders Analysis Guide is a valuable tool for any writer or editor interested in the art and science of storytelling. By showing you the inner workings of this contemporary action story at the macro and micro levels, Coyne and Grahl give you the tools to analyze your own work, diagnose and solve problems, and level up your craft.

Getting to the Heart of Story Every story has a moment we're waiting for-a climactic scene that sends an electric pulse of emotion through us-a moment of catharsis. In the Story Grid Universe, we've analyzed hundreds of stories looking for the source of that electricity. And now we've gotten to the heart of the matter in what we're calling the Four Core Framework A core need satisfied or denied through the change of a core value in a core event that elicits a core emotion. In this collection of twelve original works of fiction-one for each of our twelve story genres-we showcase the core events that make an audience gasp, sigh, or cry when they experience the emotional release they seek. This anthology was written and edited by intrepid members of our Story Grid community inspired by the core events of masterworks in each genre. We hope it will encourage writers to explore new ways to improve their craft and captivate readers. Stories by Genre Action Goliath Approaches by Leslie Watts, edited by Rachelle Ramirez War The Confession by Tim Grahl, edited by Valerie Francis Horror Outpost 5 by J. Thorn, edited by Ira Heinichen Crime Let Justice Prevail by Mark McGinn, edited by Leslie Watts Thriller X Pass by Rebekah Olson, edited by Randall Surles Western High Plains Migration by Shelley Sperry, edited by Larry Pass Love I Brush My Teeth Left-Handed and Other Reasons You Should Date Me by Rebecca Monterusso, Edited by Danielle Kiowski Performance Jaws by Courtney Harrell, edited by Melanie Naumann Society Above All Else by Shawn Coyne, edited by Tim Grahl Status The Good Daughter by Rachelle Ramirez, edited by Anne Hawley Morality An Artist's Test by Kimberly Kessler, edited by Abigail K Perry Worldview Elixir by Julia Blair, edited by Catherine Lunardon

There are a lot of books on story structure, but only THE PLOT MACHINE presents a step-by-step guide to designing a story. In clear precise language, this guide discusses the various types of stories we tell, their specific parts, and how they are assembled. Say good-bye to staring at the blank page waiting for lightning to strike. Just put a few coins in THE PLOT MACHINE and design better stories faster.

WHAT IS THE STORY GRID? The Story Grid is a tool developed by editor Shawn Coyne to analyze stories and provide helpful editorial comments. It's like a CT Scan that takes a photo of the global story and tells the editor or writer what is working, what is not, and what must be done to make what works better and fix what's not. The Story Grid breaks down the component parts of stories to identify the problems. And finding the problems in a story is almost as difficult as the writing of the story itself (maybe even more difficult). The Story Grid is a tool with many applications: 1. It will tell a writer if a Story ?works? or ?doesn't work. 2. It pinpoints story problems but does not emotionally abuse the writer, revealing exactly where a Story (not the person creating the Story'the Story) has failed. 3. It will tell the writer the specific work necessary to fix that Story's problems. 4. It is a tool to re-envision and resuscitate a seemingly irredeemable pile of paper stuck in an attic drawer. 5. It is a tool that can inspire an original creation.

"If you are a fan of Hunger Games or the Matrix, this is the book that you carry around with you until you get to the end." 1. If you win, you survive. 2. If you lose, you and everyone you love slowly starve to death. Years before twelve-year-old Jesse was born, everyday life tipped into this dystopia when firestorms burned through millions upon millions of acres of sustainable farmland. Now there's not enough food for too many people. Leaders from around the globe came together and conceived of the most extraordinary competition imaginable. The results determine who gets what and how much. This battlefield lies within the grid, a virtual world where the people mine credits to stake their claim for their daily bread. When everyone else is living a virtual life honing unreal skills, only the truly gifted have the courage and know-how to be real. And Jesse might be the most gifted competitor in The Threshing. Ever.