This guide for writers emphasizes a structured approach to story organization offering an architectural method that teaches aspiring writers the fundamental principles of outlines and story construction that allow them to hang their creativity on a framework that works for coherent, publishable writing. The volume is centered around six core competencies, concept, character, theme, structure, scene executions and writing voice, and offers concise advice at each step on how to improve loose writing and control bad habits. Access to additional online content, including story engineering checklists, is provided. Brooks is the author of five novels. Annotation 2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)