Theme and Strategy (Elements of Fiction Writing)

Rating:
Summary: Good for beginner writers
Review: I got this book in a local library. It has the basic ideas for beginner writers, who have absolutely no idea of how to do it. It talks about strategies of writing and what you should do before and while writing your book. The explanations are very long, and sometimes it seems that Ronald Tobias was just trying to write more pages. Although the book is divided into many parts, I rarely saw any difference between any of them. They seem to say few ideas over and over in different words with different examples. In other words, if you want some light reading, 100% guarantee that you'll get what he's saying, you're a beginner, and you have enough free time, read this book. Otherwise, don't. I'm sure I can write everything he wrote in 20 pages.

Rating:
Summary: Quality overview of narrative structure
Review: I have to take exception with the two previous reviewers who claim "Theme and Strategy" is merely okay. Although the book is geared to beginners (like most in this series), it nonetheless unfolds the critical aspects of structure, which will help any aspiring writer take their work to a new level. The mastery of narrative structure is perhaps the most crucial element to any work of narrative fiction, therefore the better a writer understands it the better prepared that writer will be to turn out a quality product. This book, and others like "Story", help get us there.

Tobias' writing is lucid, which allows him to communicate some fairly esotric subject matter with necessary clarity. He synthesizes complex ideas into easily understood chunks without sacrificing depth. This makes it easy, then, for the new writer to take the plunge into a richer universe where theory blends well with practical application. Not an easy task as many books either fly into the ether of pretensious literary theory or the muck of over-simplified formula. Tobias straddles the line precariously, but still manages to maintain his balance and focus.

Frankly, those looking for a step by step guide to plotting a story should reconsider the writing path, because writing fiction is a quirky blend of craft and talent. And while talent will only take you so far, the same is true of craft. Tobias, however, will help bridge that gap if you're ready to take the journey.

Theme and Strategy is required reading for those writers looking to master their craft, but not for those looking for cookbook solutions. It makes an excellent contribution to this fine series.

Rating:
Summary: His other book is better...
Review: This book is ok.
It talks from a top-down viewpoint instead of getting into the nitty-gritty of plotting.
A very large portion of the book is in Tobias sharing pieces of literature as examples to support his ideas/story analysis. This was good and bad. Good because it seemed to give credibility to what he was saying but Bad because if you remove the examples he could have presented all his points on two or three pages.

He touches briefly (even with an appendix in the back) on the 36 different plot types. Interesting thing is fours years later he writes a more detailed book entitled, 20 Master Plots. What happened to the other 16? His second book is better in my opinion when it comes to planning what type of story you want to write from a theme/strategy point of view.

I would recommend the Marshall Plan of Novel Writing or The Weekend Novelist if you want a very structured, detailed approach to plotting. Use the Tobias books for overall concept but don't think you can use it to help you create a major plot piece. This is a great book for beginners, but I'd check your local library before dishing out the bucks for this hardback.

Rating:
Summary: Don't say I didn't warn you
Review: This book is subtitled how to build a strong narrative structure. In fact, the book is not about structure at all. It is about pattern-a different thing. And even the discussion of pattern is a mishmash: "Pattern in Strategy, Pattern of Audience, Pattern in Structure, Pattern in Plot, Pattern in Action, Pattern in Character, Pattern in Thought, Pattern in Place, Patterns in Style." (This is the table of contents.) The statements in each chapter are equally vague: "Strategy is both map and journey." You understand that? Perhaps as inspiration or as communication by osmosis this book might be useful. But what results will you obtain? There's the risk.
The discussion of theme follows--if you'll forgive the expression--the same pattern. "Theme is...the central concern around which a story is structured." (p. 97) It is your "inertial guidance system." It is a "viable, working pattern." There are exactly five types of theme (no more and no less): theme as plot, theme as emotion effect, theme as style, theme as character, theme as idea. Got it? Good. This book is for you. But if you're saying, "Huh? Say what?", then you'd better find some book that knows what it's talking about well enough to say it clearly.