The Value and Joy of Reading a Masterwork
By: Grant P. Ferguson
Last Updated: March 5, 2025
A few years ago, I used the Trellis Method to analyze L. Frank Baum’s masterwork, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
If you’ve ever wondered how story structure applies to a classic, look at this series of posts: Do You Want to Personalize Story Structure? Now You Can!
A Timeless Masterwork that Keeps on Working!
You’ll find a complete copy of Baum’s book here, (divided scene by scene).
Enjoy!
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What did you discover by analyzing a masterwork?
8 responses to “Timeless Writing Advice from a Masterwork”
This was one such a helpful graphic, Grant. It really helped me to organize the threads of my story. They were there, but sort of amorphous. Giving them structure helped me see them and strengthen them.
You’ve touched on an important point, Diana. Novice writers struggle to get the draft completed. Top writers continue their efforts, wrestling with the finer details until all the story elements align.
Stepping outside of words and constructing a visual of the problem helps, much like an evidence board helps the investigator figure out who done it. Practical pencil and paper will get the job done, but it takes time and effort.
Thanks for helping other see what has helped you take your stories to the next level.
I know I promised to write a post about the Trellis Method, and I will! Soon. I’m just reeling with what’s happening in the US.
Thanks, Diana. I appreciate the update, and I never gave it a thought: I don’t pay attention to the uncontrollable, and I don’t even ignore it.
🙂
It’s always interesting to see how great pieces of literary fiction fit recommended guidelines. I enjoyed this.
I learned from several dissections of masterworks that good writers do more with less: simply plotted scenes with deep meanings and insightful observations about the characters.
True, Priscilla, and it’s astonishing what the best writers pack into their novels without sounding high-browed. Raymond Chandler did that, and many think his books rank near the top of the list. Even the pulp writers like Erle Stanley Gardner and Lester Dent pulled off simple plotted scenes with deep meaning, each adhering to the “code” of their chief protagonists. Fun stuff, and lots of lessons.