Into the Woods - by John Yorke (Paperback)

About the Book

The Revolutionary guide to dramatic writing, whether you're writing the next Chinatown, Breaking Bad, or Glengarry Glen Ross.

Book Synopsis

In the exciting and wholly original Into the Woods: A Five-Act Journey Into Story, John Yorke not only shows that there is truly a unifying shape to narrative--one that echoes the great fairytale journey into the woods, and one, like any great art, that comes from deep within--he explains why, too.

"A marvelous analysis of screenwriting and, with any luck, should help a great many people achieve their dreams." --Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey

With examples ranging from The Godfather to True Detective, Mad Men to Macbeth, and fairy tales to Forbrydelsen (The Killing), John Yorke utilizes Shakespearean five-act structure as a key to analyzing all storytelling in all narrative forms, from film and television to theatre and novel-writing--a big step from the usual three-act approach.

Chapters include:

• Three-Act Structure
• Five-Act Structure
• The Importance of Change
• How We Tell Stories
• The Inciting Incident
• Putting It All Together
• Character and Characterization
• Exposition
• Subtext
• And much more!

The idea of Into the Woods is not to supplant works by Aristotle, Lajos Egri, Robert McKee, David Mamet, or any other writers of guides for screenwriters and playwrights, but to pick up on their cues and take the reader on a historical, philosophical, scientific, and psychological journey to the heart of all storytelling.

Into the Woods is destined to sit alongside David Mamet's Three Uses of the Knife, Robert McKee's Story, Syd Field's Screenplay, and Lajos Egri's The Art of Dramatic Writing as one of the most original, useful, and inspiring books ever on dramatic writing.

"Brilliant on story structure." --Ken Follett, New York Times bestselling author

Review Quotes

Love storytelling? You need this inspiring book. John Yorke dissects the structure of stories with a joyous enthusiasm allied to precise, encyclopedic knowledge. Guaranteed to send you back to your writing desk with newfound excitement and drive.--Chris Chibnall, Creator of Broadchurch

Into the Woods is brilliant. One of the best books on script writing out there...I loved the book. Inspiring.--Dominic Mitchell, creator of In the Flesh

Into The Woods is an amazing achievement. It has a real depth and understanding about story, a fantastically broad frame of reference and it's interesting and absorbing throughout. Full of incredibly useful insights, every TV writer should read the first chapter alone--Simon Ashdown, former Lead writer and series consultant of Eastenders

Another book on screenwriting! Oh, how I wanted to hate it! I didn't. I loved it. Much of it was fresh to me. And always interesting, always intelligent and, for a writer, always rewarding'--Jimmy McGovern, creator/writer of Cracker; The Street; The Accused

Books on story structure are ten a penny but Yorke's is the real deal--Kathryn Flett

In an industry full of so called script gurus and snake oil salesmen, at last there's a book about story that treats writers like grown ups. This isn't about providing us with an ABC of story or telling us how to write a script by numbers. It's an intelligent evaluation into the very nature of storytelling and is the best book on the subject I've read. Quite brilliant--Tony Jordan, creator/writer of Life on Mars

Outrageously good and by far and away the best book of its kind I've ever read. I recognized so much truth in it. But more than that, I learned a great deal. Time and again, Yorke articulates things I've always felt but have never been able to describe . . . This is a love story to story--erudite, witty and full of practical magic. I struggle to think of the writer who wouldn't benefit from reading it--even if they don't notice because they're too busy enjoying every page.--Neil Cross, creator/writer, Luther and Crossbones

This is the ancient template for storytelling, and this, the best book on the subject...Yorke's analysis is superb.

A mightily impressive opus, both hugely informative and highly educational. I love the way it's populated with so many examples - the many combinations of both mass market and the slightly more esoteric giving a something-for-everyone feeling. A brilliant work--Peter James, author of the Roy Grace series

A profound and unconventional look at the art of storytelling... Yorke is smart. This isn't a how-to book... It's kind of liberating: we can delve into why good stories are so compelling without feeling we need to suddenly start obeying rules numbered one through ten. Whatever aspect of story he confronts, he does so with humor and flexibility."

I absolutely love this book. It's incredible and so well written. I keep trying to find fault but so far no joy - It's so good--Matt Charman, writer Bridge of Spies; Black Work

Its strength is Yorke's acute perception of the wellsprings of universal narrative structures relevant to all artistic activities

Part 'how-to' manual, part 'why-to' celebration, Into the Woods is a wide-reaching and infectiously passionate exploration of storytelling in all its guises . . . exciting and thought-provoking.--Emma Frost, screenwriter, The White Queen and Shameless

Probably, in the hackneyed phrase, "the last book on screenwriting you'll ever need." He is very good at debunking the claims of some screenwriting gurus, all of whom are busy trying to sell you their own particular brand of snake oil. It's truly excellent.

A comprehensive breakdown of the mysteries and function of drama, and a must-read--Alec Worley, Author of 2000 AD

A fine book--Mark Lawson, The Tablet

A mind-blower ... an incredibly dense but very readable tome about the art of storytelling ... Really worth a read

Excellent--Peter Straughan, writer of Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, Wolf Hall, Frank

Highly recommended reading

It's a great read. It makes me smile and say 'Yes!' aloud. Only this and PG Wodehouse do that.--Lucy Gannon, writer/creator Soldier Soldier, Peak Practice, Frankie, The Best Of Men

One of the most interesting books on screenwriting does not emerge from another Los Angeles screenwriting guru but rather from a London film director, not from another Los Angeles publisher of screenwriting books but a New York publisher called The Overlook Press... Yorke brings forth a tremendous amount of supporting evidence in one of the more erudite books ever written on screenwriting

Terrific...It's a great read, wise and cogent, and a must for all screenwriters--David Eldrige, writer Festen, In Basildon

Terrifyingly Clever... Packed with intelligent argument.

Yorke's book, in telling scores of stories in such a fresh, enlightening and accessible manner, is a gripping read from beginning to end.

Of all the books I've read about story construction and the art of fiction, this one is the most comprehensive and concise.--John Colle, Writer of Master and Commander, Happy Feet, Creation, Walking with Dinosaurs

All script writers will want to read it.--Caitlin Moran, bestselling author of How to Be a Woman

Into the Woods by John Yorke is brilliant on story structure.--Ken Follett, bestselling author of Pillars of the Earth

There is no end of books that instruct us on how to write the perfect screenplay, but few that delve more deeply into the art of storytelling than this erudite volume.

About the Author

John Yorke is one of the world's leading experts in narrative and a highly acclaimed drama producer, author, consultant, and lecturer on all forms of storytelling.

He is the author of the international bestseller Into the Woods: How Stories Work and Why We Tell Them, which has sold over 250,000 copies globally and is considered the foremost UK text on story structure. Yorke's premise is that a universal, five-act structure underpins all successful stories--a structure that is an intrinsic expression of the human mind. His work draws on a vast array of examples, from ancient myths and fairy tales to Shakespeare, classic literature, and modern television.

With a career spanning over three decades in British television, John Yorke has shaped some of the UK's most beloved and critically acclaimed dramas. In 2005, he founded the BBC Writers Academy, a year-long training scheme that has produced a generation of successful screenwriters whose work has gone on to win and be nominated for BAFTA, RTS, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Oscar Awards (including writers on shows like Killing Eve).

He is a former Visiting Professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and continues to lecture and consult on narrative for a variety of creative and business organizations globally.