The Science of Storytelling

By: Will Storr

Narrated by: James Clamp

Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

How do master storytellers compel us? There have been many attempts to understand what makes a good story, but few have used a scientific approach. In The Science of Storytelling, Will Storr applies dazzling psychological research and cutting-edge neuroscience to our myths and archetypes to show how we can tell better stories, revealing, among other things, how storytellers - and also our brains - create worlds by being attuned to moments of unexpected change.

Storr’s superbly chosen examples range from Harry Potter to Jane Austen to Alice Walker, Greek drama to Russian novels to Native American folk tales, King Lear to Breaking Bad to children’s stories. With chapters such as "The Dramatic Question" and "Plot, Endings, and Meaning" and a practical, step-by-step appendix dedicated to "The Sacred Flaw Approach", The Science of Storytelling is destined to become an invaluable resource for writers of all stripes, whether novelist, screenwriter, playwright, or writer of creative or traditional nonfiction.

©2020 Will Storr (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Gives you something different

So many writing books are aimed at the beginner and rehash the same ideas. The Science of Storytelling looks at things through fresh eyes with excellent illustrative examples from literature and cinema. Ultimately, it takes you deeper into the heart of effective storytelling.

Not what I was looking for

I guess if you are looking for a book that covers the psychology of storytelling this is your book. I was not interested in the depth this book was sharing

Eye opening and life changing

One of the best books I ever read. Did not expect to go so deep in to human psychology, but that’s what makes the difference and makes it a game changer and should be tough in schools.

Great value. Rich with important insights.

You could spend many days searching the internet and library to find the information and actionable intel Will has brought together into this book. And if you did it would not be told in such a profound way.

A great portal into human psychology

I loved this book, even though I fundamentally was shocked and alienated by it. The motives he describes, the self-domestication of the human mind, are what has been the primary alienating factor in my life. I hardly expected the book to go so deep into the unspoken motivation which has dogged me my whole life. I have taken many psychological tests over the years and went to graduate school in behavioral neuroscience and evolutionary psychology but never finished because I never automatically developed the control function he speaks of so eloquently. My main motivation is truth, and it has set me at odds with the social world, and with most humans eventually. This was the first book I have ever read out of thousands that truly changed my view of writing forever and so to me it has instantly become my most favorite and influential writing book. Just know that there are people who do not have a need to control in some instances for whatever reason. I am in a 1% psychological group on many measurements including openness, agreeableness, and IQ. So I have trouble seeing from the perspective of the majority and their needs and motives. This book was the lens and light which showed me how humans think and how to reach them more than any other. I can honestly say that this was one of the best books I have ever read in any subject because of this. It’s value to me as a writer is incalculable. Thank you for writing this book and changing my life forever.

Worthwhile

Some good advice and, worth the listen just for the many story snips used to illustrate points

Analytical Excellence

This is a must read for modern writers or even people curious about the connection between psychology and effective character building.

Lacks Focus

Far more science than storytelling, and most of it unrelated to storytelling. Lots and lots of long recitations of paragraphs from books, most of which are obscure. For example, he quotes from "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole. It's a great book, an amazing story, but an obscure book. My overall sense is that the author was just showing off with how educated and well-read he is. There is little here of value to writers or other storytellers.

For the love of science and story

This. This right here is how your dry liberal arts credits should have been taught in college.

So much new insight

I thought i had read every book out there about behavioral psychology, but this book really caught me offf guard with new insights into the human mind.