Magick Matters

“Shaping the Story: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Short Fiction” by Mark Baechtel

"Shaping the Story teaches beginning fiction writers to hone their craft with a unique, step-by-step approach to writing a short story. Stepping students through an interlocking set of twelve easy-to-follow exercises, Shaping the Story helps the beginning fiction writer understand the ways a short story changes and grows as it moves from its often-vague beginnings through a satisfying ending. As students step through the process, they learn about development of theme, point of view, voice, setting, character, dialogue, scene, plot, the treatment of time, and the crafting of satisfying endings. The text also offers an additional 48 skill-building exercises--four per chapter--plus an anthology of thirteen carefully chosen stories, which, through reading and analysis, will bring the...>>

“Story by Numbers” by Adam Skelter

"So you’ve got this script or this novel you’re working on. Is it good? How do you know? Does it have fully dimensional characters and a plot that digs up their demons and forces them into a reckoning? Story By Numbers is a step-by-step deep dive into structure that will take your story from an underdeveloped storm of "cool ideas", to a slick, compelling work with fully dimensional characters. It uses the protagonist’s inner conflict as the guide to developing plot points and meaningful conflicts. It takes an irreverent, hands-on approach to story and character development in three parts: Part One tackles the infamous 4 Act, 8 Sequence, 24 Plot Point structure...>>

“Steal this Story!: how to write great fiction with one stolen sentence” by Adron J. Smitley

"There is nothing new under the sun, and the same holds true when it comes to storytelling but for the creative twists applied to what has already been written before you. A hero goes on a journey? Been there. A stranger comes to town? Done that. So bad writers plagiarize... and good writers steal. Steal this Story! teaches aspiring authors the essential techniques of how and why to craft your best story by stealing its logline then renovating it into something special needing told through your unique perspective."...>>

“How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth” by The Moth et al

"Over the past twenty-five years, the directors of The Moth have worked with people from all walks of life—including astronauts, hairdressers, rock stars, a retired pickpocket, high school students, and Nobel Prize winners—to develop true personal stories that have moved and delighted live audiences and listeners of The Moth’s Peabody Award–winning radio hour and podcast. A leader in the modern storytelling movement, The Moth inspires thousands of people around the globe to share their stories each year. Now, with How to Tell a Story, The Moth will help you learn how to uncover and craft your own unique stories, like Moth storytellers Mike Birbiglia, Rosanne Cash, Neil Gaiman, Elizabeth Gilbert, Padma Lakshmi, Darryl “DMC”...>>

“Beautiful Writers: A Journey of Big Dreams and Messy Manuscripts—with Tricks of the Trade from Bestselling Authors” by Linda Sivertsen

"From the host of the Beautiful Writers Podcast comes a heartwarming, how-I-made-tale from a working writer you’ve never heard of, and inspiration and advice from the legends you love. This book gives aspiring writers and seasoned literary veterans a look into the lives of iconic authors and answers the burning question, “How did they do it?!” As a young writer in Los Angeles, Linda Sivertsen was hungry to be more like her literary idols. Fame and fortune seemed to happen so easily—and so fast—for them. But how exactly did these bestselling authors bust through all the obstacles and deliver, day after day, year after year, book after book? When her questions remained unanswered by multiple...>>