The Way of StoryThe Way of Story – Book Reviews
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Hard Copy reviews:
ATMA e-magazine, fall 2007-
ATMA member, Catherine Ann Jones, a multitalented writer and screenwriter, is also an award winning playwright and screenwriter whose films include “The Christmas Wife” with Jason Robards and Julie Harris, “Unlikely Angel” with Dolly Parton, and the popular television series, “Touched by An Angel.” The Way of Story is a unique, profound inquiry into the nature of our humanity as captured through the stories we tell and have told about ourselves since the beginning of our history on the planet. Catherine Ann perceives the stories we tell and live by as a mirror of who we are and our beliefs about ourselves and the nature of reality. Her new book, just published this August, asks the question, “what story would you choose to live by?” and postulates that the answer offers “a clue to your soul, your deepest self.” Her history of storytelling begins 40,000 years ago with the oral tradition of the Shamans and guides us up to the artists of today who often capture the integration of body, mind and spirit by searching their own souls for messages for humanity. Today the idea of “story” dominates the media from Hollywood to TV news bureaus. In her book, Catherine Ann sets out to teach the elements of what constitutes a good story. In her life as a teacher/creative artist, she leads workshops throughout the world on the transformational craft of storytelling. She is a master at teaching the craft of writing and screen writing. Her book is a must-read for those who want to craft the most important element in media production – the story! As a judge for the Emmys, Oscars and various film festivals, Catherine Ann knows that it is the emotional power of the story that will ultimately determine the project’s success!
Michael Wiese Productions – Review by Matthew Terry – ISBN: 1932907327
This book is a straight-forward and very basic book about story. ALL about story: Character Development, Structure, Dialogue and, of course, Conflict. And more. Is it a book for “Beginners?” I do not know if I would classify this book as “How to Write a Story 101” – but I can tell you that Ms. Jones’s format is one that is very basic and very truthful and that anyone starting to write or an old (unproduced) veteran such as myself can learn something in these pages and can grow as a writer. In some ways I would say this book does an excellent job of reeling in the abstract to get a writer back to the basics and I, frankly, think we all need that once in a while. Ms. Jones’s journey is from the stage to Hollywood. And yes, dear readers, this book is written by someone who has actually had success in Hollywood and knows what she is talking about. Bottom line: Ms. Jones does a wonderful job reminding the reader that it is all about the story. This is a great book for beginners and professionals alike.