Book Review: How to Tell a Great Story by Aneeta Sundararaj
For several years, Aneeta Sundararaj has helped writers through her website with countless articles, reviews, and interviews. Now, she has compiled all of her experience and insights into her new book for beginning writers, “How to Tell a Great Story.”
After a brief introduction, Sundararaj takes beginners through all the steps needed to become a great storyteller, from vital preparation to understanding the themes, the reasons for telling a great story, painting your set, and much more. . At the end of the book are five appendices: on planning and analyzing his research material, information for market research, character profiles, copyright issues for storytellers, and a sample story.
Written in an engaging yet thoughtful style, and blending quotes and written material from other authors, “How to Tell a Great Story” is a helpful and information-packed reference book for any aspiring storyteller. However, what I really like about this book is the new angle that the author brings: the importance of storytelling not only for writing stories, but also for other aspects of our lives. For example, knowing how to tell a great story can be helpful in the workplace if you work in marketing and advertising and need to give a presentation. A story connects people in a way that a simple explanation or demonstration cannot.
Sundararaj points out the importance of timing and intonation; in other words, it’s often not just the story that’s vital, but how you tell it. It’s a talent some people are born with, but it’s also a skill that can be learned and improved. The same logic works for writing. You may have a great idea for a story, but it’s how you write and execute it that counts. The author’s advice works for aspiring short story writers, novelists, and anyone who wants to get better at storytelling for everyday use. Reading this book was informative and interesting and I look forward to more of Sundararaj’s work in the future.
Aneeta Sundararaj grew up in a small Malaysian town called ‘Alor Star’. She went to university to study law and also practiced for a few years. So, she decided to follow her dream of writing. She self-published her first novel, (The Banana Leaf Men) and thereafter, she created and developed a dynamic website called “How to Tell a Great Story”. She continues to write full time and now lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Title: How to tell a great story
Author: Aneeta Sundararaj
Publisher: Bookshaker
Publication date: July 4, 2011
ISBN 10: 1907498575
ISBN 13: 978-1907498572
Format: Softcover
Number of pages: 172
Price: US18.00
Genre: Nonfiction