A manual for reading and writing better that explores the great plots from Plato to *The Matrix* and Tolstoy to *Toy Story*. Broken into two sections: Part 1: Theory; and Part 2: Practice. Part 1 discusses Plato and Aristotle, Tragedy and Plot, Fairy Stories, and the Eight Basic Plots. Part 2 covers getting ideas for your fiction, styles of narration, characterisation, how to write a good sentence and beginning to write your novel.