Story Genius by Lisa Cron – Unlocking the Secrets of Spellbinding Stories

Every writer dreams of creating the next bestseller. We all want to write an edge-of-your-seat, un-put-downable story that hooks readers from the very first page and takes them on an unforgettable journey. But how do you achieve that? What is the magic formula that transforms a good story into a legendary one? Why do so few authors manage to create that spellbinding thrall?
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Story Genius by Lisa Cron offers a compelling answer to these questions. Cron explains that humans are evolutionarily hardwired to crave stories. We seek answers to help us understand and navigate the world around us. Stories are the solution. They provide a safe and controlled setting for our minds to explore the possible outcomes and answers to our problems.

What I Loved About Story Genius

1. Backed by Brain Science: our minds form a fascinating intersection between instinct, emotion, and logic. Cron explains the brain science behind why our minds crave stories and what specifically about stories really hooks our minds  
2. Practical Steps: Cron takes you from the first spark of an idea to a detailed story blueprint with her step-by-step exercises, including developing your protagonist's motivations, creating scene cards, and drafting key turning-point scenes
3. Real Examples: Story Genius uses another author's story as a continuous example throughout the exercises. This approach reinforces the topics discussed in the chapter and gives you a guide to follow for your own story 

Cron's Method in Action
I'm currently using Cron's method to develop my latest work-in-progress (Taren’s Story). So far, my first draft is progressing more smoothly than other manuscripts, and I feel confident about where the story is headed. 

Visit Taren's page on my website to learn more about this adult fantasy work-in-progress! 

Jump to Taren's Page

The exercises were so helpful that I marked each one with a sticky note so I could come back to them for my next story!

Summary
Story Genius by Lisa Cron combines wit and humor with a science-based method to create captivating stories. It’s not just another educational primer for writers; it's an engaging read that made me laugh while providing valuable insights. I highly recommend this book to any writer looking to take their work to the next level.

Additional Resources

• My Goodreads Review: click here
• Story Genius on Amazon: click here
• Lisa Cron’s Website: click here