Three, six or 36: how many basic plots are there in all stories ever written?

Angus Phillips was interviewed by Alison Flood from the Guardian (13 July 2016) for a piece about the number of basic plots in literature. ‘Angus Phillips, head of the school of arts and director of the Oxford International Centre for Publishing Studies at Oxford Brookes University, speculates that “the increase in reading on digital devices is changing the behaviour of authors”, with “a divergence between plot-driven, genre fiction aimed at a digital audience; contrasted with the character-driven approach of literary fiction, often read in print”. He points to Fay Weldon’s comments on her blog, that “short, in this the day of the galloping e-reader, is best. Writers need to envisage readers not turning the page as the maid draws the curtains and brings a glass of wine, but on the train or bus on the way to work, eating a sandwich, or standing in the queue for coffee.”'

You can read the full piece here: https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2016/jul/13/three-six-or-36-how-many-basic-plots-are-there-in-all-stories-ever-written

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 15 Jul 2016 around 7am

Filed Under #Publishing