Genre

Why is a tragedy tragic, and what turns a story into a comedy? Andrew Tidmarsh takes up these questions by setting Much Ado About Nothing beside When Harry Met Sally, Seneca beside Desperate Housewives, and Goldoni beside Frasier, showing that very different works can share a common structure.

The book examines how form and content work together, and how that relationship reveals the mechanics of narrative. It traces how storytelling for the stage and screen has changed over time. Tidmarsh argues that a working knowledge of form gives writers, directors and actors a firm footing, which in turn supports the creative process.

Each chapter includes exercises tied to a specific genre, designed to help readers write and devise their own material. Aimed at students and established professionals alike, the guide suits anyone interested in story, and is meant to make the blank page less intimidating.