Novel Analysis

Once a month I analyze a novel using the Editor’s 6 Core Questions from the book The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne.

The 6 core questions get down to the bones of the story and if all the questions can be answered then the story is on a path to work for the readers.

The most important question is the first, what is the Genre of the story. The Genre of the novel will help the author determine the Global Value of the novel.

From the Genre is derived the Conventions and the Obligatory Scenes that the reader will expect (whether he is aware of it or not) in order to be satisfied with the story.

The Point of View, Object of Desire (for the antagonist and protagonist), and Controlling Idea/ Theme will help the author keep the story on the path to success.

The Beginning Hook, Middle Build, and Ending Payoff will help the author outline the 15 core scenes of the novel with the Global Value. This will make up the spine of the novel.

Here are the novels I have analyzed so far in my blog:

• Old Man’s War by John Scalzi
• First Blood by David Morrell
• Waylander by David Gemmell

If you have any suggested novels you would like me to analyze, please write in the comments below, I’d love to hear what you think.

More Story Analysis

If you want to see more applications of the Story Grid methodology, below are links to my analysis of various novels and television shows in blog posts and podcasts:

Story Grid Showrunners Podcast – Parul, Melanie, and I analyze hit TV series using the Story Grid methodology.

My blog posts analyzing other Television series – my person take using the Story grid 5 Commandments to look at my favorite TV series – Jack Ryan, Batgirl, For All Mankind, Hanna, and more.

Novel analysis – I analyze some of my favorite books using the Story Grid 5 Commandments and 6 core questions – First Blood, Old Man’s War, Waylander, and more to come!

If you want to learn more about writing a story using the Story Grid methodology, go to the Story Grid Webpage to find free videos and articles on how to implement the methodology.

These articles contain information about the 5 Commandments of Storytelling and the Editor’s 6 Core Questions from the book The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne. They also give details on obligatory scenes and conventions for specific genres, such as the thriller, love story, war story, crime story, and more.

For an example of how these techniques are used, read Jane Austin’s The Pride and the Prejudice with annotations by Shawn Coyne.