Write better stories, right now.
Any genre. Any form. For every author.
How Story Works is a simple, elegant guide to the craft of storytelling. In just 175 pages, you will learn how to build stronger characters, create meaningful conflicts, and build your story on a structure that leaves room for you to work your magic.
Don’t get lost in aimless plots, weak characters, and boring conflicts.
How Story Works teaches the foundational skills of storytelling with easy-to-understand and even easier-to-apply advice and examples. Your storytelling skills will improve, and you can get back to what you wanted to do in the first place; telling your story.
You know you’ve got a great story inside you, and How Story Works will help you bring it out.
How How Story Works Works
simply
Some writing guides give you an extensive, page-by-page, “do this” structure. HSW’s four-point structure keeps it simple, leaving you room to do what you want to do anyway: write better.
quickly
You don’t need a dense tome with hundreds of pages of tightly-packed tidbits of writing advice you’ll never manage to read anyway. How Story Works keeps it short and direct. After all, you don’t have time to waste. You have a book to write.
universally
You can apply the How Story Works method to any genre, any form, any length, and any style. No matter what you’re writing, this book will help you write it.
elegantly
You don’t have to juggle a million details in your head to write a great story. Master HSW’s Three Pillars of Storytelling, and you’re on your way!
directly
How Story Works won’t make you a bestselling author, but neither will any other book on writing. How Story Works makes only one promise: if you follow the advice, your story will improve.
Hi. I’m Lani.
Some years back, I was a first-time novelist who sold a book and then panicked when my publisher asked for more. I’d accidentally caught lightning in a bottle… what if I couldn’t catch it again?
That question started my twenty-year journey to learning everything I could about storytelling so I’d know for sure I was writing good books. I distilled what I learned and taught others into a 175-page book that is, quite frankly, the last story craft book you’re ever gonna need.
Lani Diane Rich, New York Times bestselling author
"Lani’s assistance was instrumental in turning my manuscript into an actual book that you can hold in your hands. Her notes were clear and practical but also wonderfully encouraging. She won’t just make you a better writer, she’ll inspire to you to work hard, love your creations, and be proud to take them out into the world."
Luke Arnold, author of the Fetch Phillips mystery series & star of Black Sails
“How Story Works is a writing encyclopedia, a road map, and a pep talk all rolled into one—the rare ‘How To’ that feels like you’re having a fun chat with an enthusiastic expert who can’t wait to read what you’ve created. If you have a story inside of you, this book can help you get it out of there and into the world where it belongs.”
Josh Siegal, writer and producer, 30 Rock, The Good Place, Saved By The Bell
How to Become a Better Storyteller
Buy the book. Just click the link below and choose from ebook, audiobook, or traditional paperback.
Read the book. It seems obvious, but you’d be amazed how many people just stop after step one. Unfortunately, you can’t just put the book under your pillow and absorb the information.
Write your book. Do the included exercises as you read through How Story Works, and you’ll be ready to write a stronger story by the time you finish.
Give yourself the confidence of a master storyteller.
You’re a writer.
You know you’re going to write, you can’t help yourself.
You know you have the magic of creativity, and maybe you’ve even tried other guides to writing, but you haven’t figured out how to improve your craft simply, quickly and elegantly.
It’s time to stop imagining yourself as a great storyteller and make it happen. It’s time to learn How Story Works.