Story Fix - by Larry Brooks (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Reinvigorate Your Fiction!

You've written the first draft of your novel or screenplay, and you've released it into the world: to your critique group, to your most trusted beta readers, or even to an agent or an editor. But something's wrong. You're not getting the glowing response you had expected, or you might have even received a rejection. Your story is getting a "Meh..." when you had hoped for an "Amazing!"

But have no fear--the piece you've sweated and bled over isn't dead on arrival. It just needs fixing.

Story Fix is the answer to your revision needs. With practical techniques from critically acclaimed author and story coach Larry Brooks, you will learn how to:

- Develop a story-fixing mind-set
- Navigate the two essential realms of revision: story and execution
- Evaluate your novel or screenplay against twelve crucial storytelling elements and essences.
- Strengthen your concept and premise.
- Punch up the dramatic tension, pacing, thematic weight, characterization, and more.
- Align your story with proven structural principles.
Filled with candid advice on the realities of the publishing world and helpful case studies of real authors who fixed their own stories, Story Fix isn't just about revision--it's about resurrection. Infuse your fiction with a much-needed jolt of electricity, and bring it back to life.

"Larry Brooks is a superb storyteller and teacher. If anyone can fix your novel, it's him. Put this one on your desk and read it often." --Robert Dugoni, #1 Amazon and New York Times best-selling author of My Sister's Grave

"Story Fix is the ultimate writer's companion for taking any manuscript to the next level. A staple for the beginner, a refresher for the pro." --Joe Moore, #1 Amazon and international best-selling co-author of The Blade and The Shield

Review Quotes

"Larry Brooks tells it like it is! If your goal is to write a novel that sells, enthralls readers, and garners great reviews, you need to pore over this writing guide, marking up the pages and absorbing the insightful analysis and astute advice. Then read it through again, using Brooks's gems of wisdom and case studies to amp up your premise, plot, and characters and hone your storytelling skills." --Jodie Renner, editor and award-winning author of Fire up Your Fiction, Captivate Your Readers, and Writing a Killer Thriller

"In a marketplace filled with rehashed, often over-simplified advice, Brooks pulls no punches. Larry speaks to you like the professional writer he knows you can become. He clearly understands the difference between what you may want to hear--and what you need to hear." --Art Holcomb, award-winning writer and educator

"Writing the novel is half the battle. The other half is fixing it. In this book, master craftsman Larry Brooks gives you his set of tools for the fix-it stage. So strap on your belt, and get to work!" --James Scott Bell, author of Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure

"There are certain universal truths at work in every piece of great fiction. Larry Brooks has scoured, explored, and unearthed the elements of unforgettable fiction and set the entire treasure at our feet. Not only will Story Fix take your writing to the next level, but it will create a better understanding of the writer's mind and how we can be proactive where story is concerned. Being an author who writes two to three novels a year, I can't tell you how invaluable this resource is to me. Story Fix sits on my desk beside my computer at all times!" --Heather Burch, best-selling author of One Lavender Ribbon and Along the Broken Road

"Larry Brooks is, simply stated, a great thinker about story form. You'll get so much from his advice and mentorship." --Jennifer Lauck, New York Times best-selling author of Blackbird, Still Waters, Show Me the Way, and Found

"Story Fix is an essential diagnostic tool for writers. Larry Brooks shows the reader how to perform a 'stress test' on a manuscript or story idea in order to flush out flaws and weaknesses. Story Fix helped me spot a fundamental flaw in the setup of my current project. I went back and reworked the entire concept." --Kathryn Lilley, mystery author and founder of The Kill Zone blog

"Story Fix is the book that will take you to the mountaintop. What awaits is an exhilarating ride into your best story. Hang on!" --Kay Kenyon, acclaimed fantasy and science fiction author

"The revision process is where New York Times bestsellers are born. To achieve success, a writer needs tools. The good news is that, finally, there's a how-to guide written by a pro who helps writers bridge the gap from 'It sucks' to 'It's great.'" --Mindy Halleck, award-winning writer, novelist, and writing instructor (www.MindyHalleck.com)

"I have the pleasure of teaming up with Larry Brooks on The Kill Zone, one of the best resources for writers of thrillers and mysteries. I've discovered that Larry's advice to aspiring novelists is straightforward, clear-eyed, and best of all, full of empathy. Larry knows you can't write a publishable novel without a lot of hard work, and he's not afraid to say it. I recommend Story Fix to anyone who's truly serious about writing fiction." --Mark Alpert, internationally best-selling author of The Six and The Orion Plan

"No matter what level of writing you're at, Story Fix is the ultimate road map into understanding what it takes to piece together your own success. Larry Brooks delivers an incredible guide that will help you redefine the heartbeat of existing talents. Fix more than your story--fix your approach!" --Delilah Marvelle, USA Today best-selling author

"Larry Brooks's Story Fix is an invaluable resource to both novice and professional writers alike. Not only does he clearly outline the key elements required to produce a compelling and marketable novel, but he also details, in specific, measurable, and practical ways, how these elements can be evaluated in a writer's own work with the ultimate aim of revising and, in the end, redeeming, previously rejected manuscripts. Story Fix is a compelling read in its own right and a much-needed addition for anyone interested in taking their writing craft to a higher professional (and ultimately more salable) level." --Clare Langley-Hawthorne, author of Unlikely Traitors

About the Author

Larry Brooks is the best-selling author of five psychological thrillers, in addition to his work as a freelance writer and writing instructor. He is the author of Story Engineering, and Story Physics and the creator of Storyfix.com, one of the leading instructional writing sites on the Internet. His most recent novel is The Seventh Thunder.