7 Powerful Lessons in The Anatomy of Story by John Truby

The Anatomy of Story by John Truby is one of the most well-regarded books on storytelling. And in this video I'm going to break down the most useful lessons I learned from reading this amazing book.
Over and over again I heard people sing this book's praises. They told me, as I writer, I MUST read The Anatomy of Story by John Truby. So finally I set aside the time to read through this book. And it did not disappoint. This book is basically a storytelling bible and I'd recommend it to all writers.
Have you read The Anatomy of Story by John Truby? What's your favorite writing craft book? Let me know in the comments below and I may read that one next :)
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📚 Books read/used in this video 📚
The Anatomy of Story by John Truby: amzn.to/3WZvZCa (affiliate link*)
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0:00 - Intro
0:23 - How I ranked these
0:28 - Number 7
1:19 - Number 6
2:59 - Number 5
5:07 - Number 4
6:00 - Number 3
8:06 - Number 2
11:55 - Number 1
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* Long story short, by purchasing a product from one of my paid links you are helping support this channel and my journey to become an author 🙂 I will never recommend any products I don't actually use and don't think are worth the price. Or as Amazon would like me to say, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@john_writing_]

This book is full of lessons that I wasn't able to cover here, so if you'd like to check it out, you can buy it here: amzn.to/3FtnOY9 (will help support my channel too 🙂)

[@yejollykrewe1208]

Great review of a deep & difficult book. You helped me frame what I read in the book. Ready for the 22 steps !!!!🎉

[@e.matthews]

This was a great overview! Thank you John! I think the 22 steps could be a great additional video, maybe a creative exercise activating all 22 steps?

[@john_writing_]

That's a good idea! I've always wanted to return to using it somehow, but have found outlining a story with it a little difficult until now. Maybe I can write a screenplay for fun and use the structure there 🤔

[@warmflash]

Wait till you read The Anatomy of Genres - fantastic

[@john_writing_]

Looking forward to it :)

[@warmflash]

@@john_writing_ Get Writing Fiction
by Janet Burroway
Story
by Robert McKee
Character Arcs
by KM Weiland
On Writing Well
by William Zissner
A Swim In The Pond In The Rain
by George Sanders

[@john_writing_]

​@@warmflash I already have and/or have read most of those actually!!

[@akmass9761]

Thanks for this. Been using a 9-10 act structure and I've laid out Scrivener for it. Seems to be working well. Still tweaking it.
Also, twenty-three steps. First, butt in chair.

[@john_writing_]

I'm happy you enjoyed it!! I may have to give it another read through :)

[@haxstir]

Look for the Truby 22 act structure in a Scrivener template. Can't remember where I saw it but it's around somewhere if you fancy having a look.

[@akmass9761]

@@haxstir Found a 24 act structure for Scrivener. In the past, the hard part for me was picking a logical story structure and using it. Now that I will have, two novels and two short stories 1st-2nd draft by end of year.

[@frankstarshiphead6839]

Great video very helpful

[@john_writing_]

I'm glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching :)

[@DescubriendoCanada]

Thank you..

[@john_writing_]

Thanks for watching!

[@john_writing_]

What is the most powerful lesson you've learned from a writing craft book?

[@alonzomuncy4659]

One that has definitely stuck with me is The Moral Premise by Stanley D Williams. The idea that everything I'm writing has a moral premise about how the world should be, and part of the success will be determined by how that moral premise resonates with my readers has always stuck with me. He put it in a way that I've seen very few others put it.

[@john_writing_]

That's interesting, it sounds similar to the moral argument that John Truby talks about in this book. Maybe in that one the concept is fleshed out more thoroughly, I'll take a look! Thanks for watching :)

[@petulpetul]

heloooooo.... great video. i liked it. please make another video on the 22 step plot!!!!! pleaseeeeee

[@john_writing_]

If a lot of people seem to want it, I'll consider it. Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for watching!

[@plaidboy23]

I agree! Make the 22 Step🪜 Plot Video. Loved your breakdown in this. THE ANATOMY OF STORY is an amazing book 📖 Awesome Video 📹

[@jasonmacomber4020]

Love these craft videos!.
A 22 steps video would be great.

[@christigregurich7815]

Great info. The music is drowning you out. Turn it down a little bit. I’m struggling to pay attention. Otherwise, great video. Keep at it!