Customer Reviews
The Bible when it comes to plotting - By: MarkTwain2007, 05 Aug 2008 
I cannot recommend this book enough. It's a practical, hands-on, & downright USEFUL guide to learning about plot & structure. It's written by a professional & successful working author. I think this makes a huge difference.
Plot is what happens in your novel. Structure is WHEN (and to an extent WHY) things happen. We can alll generate plots, but structure must be learned, in my opinion (unless you're a one-in-a-billion natural story teller). But that's no problem because structure is one of the few writers arts that can be codified. That's the achievement of this book---Bell has identified the timeless rules & comprehensively explains them. His rendition of the rules can be slightly idiosyncratic at times (in my opinion), but if keep your wits about you & follow the advice in this book then you will be able to generate a winning plot & structure. No question. Of course, that doesn't mean you will have a winning novel...
I studied this book like I studied books at school, & no doubt I'll read it again many times.
Like many guides, Plot & Structure makes the distinction between "literary" & "popular" plot types, & concentrates most definitely on "popular" (Bell is an American author & barely a page goes by when he doesn't mention Dean Kootnz). However, the author will occasionallly reflect on the difference between the two types to illustrate a point.
Ultimately Bell's focus is on entertaining & delighting the reader, & what he describes is focussed very much on this end goal. If you have an objection to this (and I've met many who find it questionable, considering writing a pastime for their own pleasure), then this book will just be one irritation after another. But even so I'd advise you read it. Archetypes are archetypes. Structure is structure. It exists outside of genre. And a surprising amount of "literary" novels have structures that are fundamentallly very similar to the latest Stephen King or Dean Koontz.
All in alll, if you're aiming to write successful fiction & want a complete guide to structure, this book is highly recommended. If you buy no other book on writing then make it this one.
Great Plot - By: L. F. Lawlor, 14 May 2008 An easy-to-read book, & yet it contains countless ideas & suggestions for the writer - well worth buying!
Very good indeed - By: Glenn Carmichael, 09 Mar 2008 
I teach novel writing. I found this to be a highly readable & exceedingly helpful book for those who want to take novel writing seriously. A few too many references to cinema plots, but essentiallly the best book I have read on the subject. Recommended
An essential plotting guide for all writers - By: J Smith, 18 Nov 2007 I've read many books on plotting & structure, but this is probably the best so far. It doesn't offer a miracle cure for ailing plots, or promote a magical formula for coming up with the perfect novel, or divulge any flashy techniques - instead, it provides a nuts-and-bolts, back-to-basics guide to developing a strong foundation for your novel.
It has to be said that a lot of books on writing can come across as quite patronising - not so here. The book has a very friendly tone & puts its points across in a simple, straightforward manner that's always easy to read & often quite entertaining. There are many tips & exercises, alll of which are practical & useful.
I read this before embarking on my current project, but I imagine it would be useful whatever state your novel's in, as many of the hints & tips can (and should be) applied throughout the whole novel-writing process. My copy is already covered in highlighter pen & scribbled notes in the margins, & I have no doubt that I'll be returning to it again & again. I see this book as an essential reference guide to the craft of plotting, & would encourage anyone who's serious about novel writing to invest in this. If you only buy one book on plotting & structure, I'd make it this one.
A must read: practical, insightful and entertaining at the same time - By: Scarso Slawka Giorgia, 12 Jan 2007 I reallly enjoyed reading this book. Whether you aim at writing commercial (plot driven) fiction, or literary (character driven) fiction, this book will be a useful read.
Extremely practical in its excercises, it is a particurarly useful tool for those who somehow, get lost in their own plots.
