Story Structure Architect, Victoria Lynn Schmidt

Time for a mini book feature, and this one isn't fiction. I'm here to prop Story Structure Architect: A Writer's Guide to Building Dramatic Situations and Compelling Characters by Dr. Victoria Lynn Schmidt, Ph.D. (blog), which I picked up while perusing the writing section of my local B&N. Amidst all the books instructing people "how to write" was this one, which I was drawn to not only because the cover felt nice, but also because it has a subtitle longer than its actual title (and we know how much I like that.)

The book categorizes the basic steps to take while drafting your story, short but insightful summaries of 11 Master Structures (e.g. The Melodrama, The Roller Coaster Ride, [Metafiction...]), and a breakdown of 55 Dramatic Situations (Supplication & Benefaction, Abduction & Reunion, Madness & Genius). The book is well-written for both seasoned story architects as well as anyone who is just getting into writing or film/literary analysis.

Schmidt makes plenty of references to other works -- including popular movies -- to build and show her point, making the book a successful piece of architecture in itself. Her analyses and comparisons are insightful yet understandable, salient and, most importantly, visible and tangible when one turns from theory to practice.

I highly recommend the book to anyone who wants a lightweight but rich reference to archetype, trope and tradition within the storytelling frame.

Victoria Lynn Schmidt has authored other books on writing, such as Book in a Month and 45 Master Characters: Mythic Models for Creating Original Characters, as well as fiction of her own. Schmidt is an author and instructor with a background and interest in psychology, spirituality and holistic creativity. Visit her website for more details.