Summary of Lisa Cron's Story Genius

By IRB Media

Get the Summary of Lisa Cron's Story Genius in 20 minutes. Please note: This is a summary & not the original book. "Story Genius" by Lisa Cron provides an in-depth exploration of the art of storytelling, particularly as it pertains to novel writing. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the brain's craving for story and how narratives serve a purpose beyond entertainment—they are essential for survival, teaching us through emotions and experiences. Cron argues that a compelling story is not about polished prose or dramatic events, but rather about how these events affect a character's internal journey and transformation...

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: May 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798330010813

IRB Media

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Summary of Lisa Cron's Story Genius

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Table of Contents

Overview

Stories and Survival

Crafting Narrative Alchemy

Misconceptions Unveiled

Misbelief's Genesis

Ruby's Reluctant Awakening

Blueprinting Regrets

Ruby's Reflections

Crafting Believable Fiction

Crafting Ruby's Regret

Crafting Believable Worlds

Crafting Authenticity

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Overview

Story Genius by Lisa Cron provides an in-depth exploration of the art of storytelling, particularly as it pertains to novel writing. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the brain's craving for story and how narratives serve a purpose beyond entertainment—they are essential for survival, teaching us through emotions and experiences. Cron argues that a compelling story is not about polished prose or dramatic events, but rather about how these events affect a character's internal journey and transformation.

The book dispels common writing myths, such as the effectiveness of pantsing or the necessity of a shitty first draft, and instead focuses on the need for context and a deep understanding of the protagonist's internal conflict. Cron introduces the concept of the What If question as a starting point for developing a story, but stresses that it must be connected to the protagonist's internal struggle to be effective.

Through the use of examples and practical exercises, Cron guides writers to delve into their protagonist's past, uncovering the desires and misconceptions that drive their actions. She emphasizes the importance of creating a detailed blueprint for the novel, using Scene Cards to ensure each scene contributes to the story's cause-and-effect trajectory.

The book also covers the development of secondary characters and subplots, ensuring they support the protagonist's journey. Cron advises writers to always consider the protagonist's internal perspective, making their thoughts and decisions clear to the reader. Ultimately, Story Genius offers a methodical approach to crafting a novel that resonates with readers by focusing on the protagonist's internal transformation and the emotional truth of the story.

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Stories and Survival

After an exhausting day, many seek solace in a glass of wine, a box of chocolates, or the pages of a novel to unwind and alter their body chemistry. Among these, a novel stands out as the most potent relaxant, offering lasting effects without any regrets. Imagine preparing for bed, anticipating a big day ahead, and deciding to read just one chapter to relax. Yet, the story captivates you, and before you realize it, dawn breaks, and you've been reading all night. This isn't a failure of self-discipline; it's a biological reaction. Stories wield a profound and often overlooked influence on us. For authors, grasping this influence is crucial to creating engaging novels.

To craft a compelling narrative, it's essential to understand what the brain yearns for in a story. This chapter delves into the purpose of stories, their co-evolution with the human brain, their power, and the true nature of a story from the brain's perspective. Stories were the original virtual reality, enabling us to visualize and prepare for the future. They allow us to experience and learn from hypothetical situations, which explains the universality of storytelling.

Stories serve a purpose beyond mere entertainment; they are vital for survival, imparting lessons through emotions. They impact us as profoundly as food and sex, with dopamine fueling the pleasure of curiosity in narratives. When engrossed in a story, we