Bill Johnson is author of A Story is a Promise & The Spirit of Storytelling, a popular book to guide new writers to an understanding of the mechanics of storytelling. This website explores how to introduce a story's promise to engage readers.
How to create a story line and plot line that elevate dramatic tension.
Practical steps for creating compelling characters.
Capsule reviews of current movies with a focus on how a movie succeeded or failed with audiences.
An overview of the foundation principles of storytelling.
If you are new to the world of storytelling or need help to outline and edit a novel, screenplay, or play, this is the site for you!
A Story is a Promise & The Spirit of Storytelling is available for $2.99 from Amazon Kindle.
Principles of Storytelling
Foundation Principles of Storytelling
Writing a Story Synopsis: Keep Your Story Dramatic
Musicality of Fiction: How to Write with Rhythm and Flow
Storytelling and the Superconscious Mind
Novel Reviews that Explore Story Structure
Writing With Metaphors, a review of the novel Tilt
Conveying a Character's Journey on the First Page of a Novel
Complex Story, Simple Questions
Movie Reviews that Explore Principles of Storytelling
Using a Timeline to Tell a Story, a review of Arrival
Advancing a Story and Plot Via Revelation and Subtext, a review of Companion
Premise and Mystery, a review of The Usual Suspects
Stories and Ideas - A Review of Toto le Hero
Shawshank Redemption, Writing to a Dramatic Purpose
A review of the structure of Guardians of the Galaxy.
Capsule movie reviews that explore principles of storytelling
Play Reviews that Explore Principles of Creating Drama
The Masterclass Breakdown: Romeo & Juliet, Act by Act, Beat by Beat
Building Drama, notes on the play 'night, Mother
Developing Complex Characters Who Grow and Change, a review of the Heidi Chronicles
About the Author
Play Productions — Learn about my productions around the US and overseas.
Contact — See some photos of my performances at Collins View.
Manuscript Services — Learn about my reviews of screenplays, novels, and plays.
Oregon Writers Speak — Oregon authors speak about their novels, plus videos I created about authors like Mark Twain, Jane Austen, and Oscar Wilde, and others.
Check out Bill's writing workbook, A Story is a Promise, available on Amazon Kindle.
