Rock Your Plot

A Simple System for Plotting Your Novel

By: Cathy Yardley

Narrated by: Cathy Yardley, Michael Anthony Johnson

Length: 1 hr and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Are you stuck trying to write a novel? Have you tried writing several stories, only to stall out in the middle and move on to a new project? Do you like the idea of plot outlines, but have difficulty figuring out what happens next, or what should happen where? Or are you a writer who hates outlining, preferring to write a novel organically - but still feel like your story needs more plot and structure?

Outlining, whether it's just the turning points or a comprehensive scene by scene plot outline, might help you get past your block.

Rock Your Plot: A Simple System for Plotting Your Novel teaches a clear, flexible process to help you with your:

• Premise: Test your premise for inherent conflict and sustainability.
• Characterization: Create strong characters with urgent goals, understandable motivation, and tons of obstacles.
• Plot outline, turning points: Use those characters to build logical and powerful plot points and complete character arcs.
• Plot outline, scene-by-scene: Develop a sequence of dynamic scenes that propels your reader through your story.

This audiobook goes straight to the point, putting theory in plain language, adding examples from blockbuster stories, and finishing each section with exercises designed to help you work with your characters to write a novel that excites you... and your readers.

©2012, 2013 Cathy Yardley Wilson (P)2013 Cathy Yardley Wilson

Very Helpful Outlines & Bonus Material

This is practical help, not just theory and blabber. She offers online supplemental downloads to go along with the info in the book. It is short, to the point and motivating. She narrated it herself so you get her personality and humor, but it is read at various speeds sometimes and while you can listen comfortably at 1.25X speed, some sentences are spoken very fast. Overall, I would recommend for someone interested in writing. I also recommend 'The Successful Novelist' by David Morrell. Hope this helps. Later.

Summarizes the work of others.

The content is good but I feel a bit put off that it is a summary of two authors' books.

1. Blake Snyder (dec'd) book -- an awesome one called "Save the Cat." it is Identical to this deceased author's beat sheet.

2. Debra Dixon's book about Goal, Motivation, and Conflict is excellent. Cathy Yardley repeated her methods verbatim. Dixon's book was copyrighted in 1996.

That was a disappointment in the author. Surprised to see it is so easy to take the brilliance of others and regurgitate it.

Exactly What I Needed

What made the experience of listening to Rock Your Plot the most enjoyable?

Listening to a writing coach like Cathy give clear, step-by-step instructions is exactly what I needed. Her method works wonders, especially when coupled with the downloads from her website. This is THE book to get through the "quick and dirty first draft," to use her words.

After that, you can read all the other books to streamline your dialogue, emphasize your theme, all that fancy stuff. But start here. Start with ROCK YOUR PLOT.

Best I've found for getting started on plotting

I listen to this book over and over again. Although it's narrated by the author it's a very easy listen.
It's also packed full of information. I actually went back and bought the Kindle version just so I could slow myself down. The included PDF (which you find by going to audible on your computer and then downloading), is an invaluable tool.

This is truly the best shorthand advice on how to get started on plotting versus writing by the seat of your pants.

I love, love, love this audiobook! I recommend it for all aspiring writers.

Take Notes, every word is a gem

Excellent book on plot. Flies at you at a very quick pace and I suggest you have a note book ready to dot down the pearls of wisdom. Follow this book and you are on your way to writing success.

Best Three Act Structure Explanation Ever

I'm a Creative Writing graduate with a degree from a prestigious university that did not focus on commercial fiction. Forty years later I'm finally trying to write something other people might want to read. If you want to understand plotting, buy this book. It is an excellent investment in time and money.

Battling with plot and structure has been a nightmare for me, but somehow this book worked. I don't know why this is so much more helpful than the MANY books, videos, blogs, etc... I've read on plot and structure. Maybe because it's trimmed of all the fat. It's brief, no nonsense, and gets the job done. Also, there's a bit of humor. I recommend this audiobook unreservedly. Super helpful. If you're like me, slow, a little dull, and in need of some practical explanations to get you going, you've arrived at the right place. Be happy. Read this and be inspired!

Quick and easy listen to help align your plot.

Getting the bones of your story right before you begin writing Is tough. Cathy Yardley gives practical structure advice that anyone can use to build a better book. I found her discussion of goal, motive, and conflict especially helpful, as well as the questions she asks to help you make sure your dark moment is in alignment with your story goal. The book is short but I have listened to it three times now to thoroughly absorb the content. I recommend it to any writer looking to hone their craft.

Short, sweet and to the point

I enjoyed listening to this and will listen to it a few times more as I finish my novel. Thank you for making this book a breeze to listen to. I was never bored nor was the material dry or cumbersome. The best writing advice books are those you can complete and retain, if you have trouble getting through other (dry) plot books then this might be your saving grace.

One of favorite plotting books.

I reference this book often to keep me on track when I plot. Audio version is a must have to listen to while Walking or driving.

This author doesn't know how to read for others.

This author doesn't know how to read for others, fading out before the end of each sentence. Not only this use to be a bad practice commited by a few beginners but it is also annoying and irritating. Skip this book. I'd like to return it.

Good book for the beginners writers.

Where does Rock Your Plot rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Somewhere between the middle and the top ones. Between 1 and 10 would be somewhere 6-7.

What did you like best about this story?

Proven method well explained, which can be useful for some authors.

What does Cathy Yardley and Michael Anthony Johnson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

By the voice intonation you can follow, where the author put more emphasis and what part of the book content is more important.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Learn to rock your plot from ZERO experience.

Any additional comments?

Good book for those, who are just starting to learn about plot and structure of the story.