Yorke - Into the woods : how stories work and why we tell them

John Yorke is the Managing Director of Company Pictures, the UK drama independent producing among others Shameles s, Skins, The White Queen and Wolf Hall. As both Head of Channel Four Drama and Controller of BBC Drama Production hes worked on big popular works such as Hustle, Spooks, Casualty and Holby City alongside award-winners such as Bodies, Omagh, Sex Traffic, Not Only But Always and The Curse of Steptoe.

As a Commissioning Editor and Executive Producer he championed some of the defining works of British television including Life on Mars, The Street, Shameless and Waterloo Road. His television career began by story-lining Eastenders in its very first BAFTA-winning year a show he went on to run and then oversee in an association of sixteen years. Hes also worked as Editor of BBC Radio 4s The Archers.

In 2005 he created the BBC Writers Academy, the first writing course in Britain to guarantee broadcast work, and which has produced a generation of successful television writers.

John has lectured extensively on narrative structure, is Visiting Professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and lives and works in London. His website is at www.intothewoodsyorke.com

PENGUIN BOOKS

Love storytelling? You need this inspiring book. John Yorke dissects the structure of stories with a joyous enthusiasm allied to precise, encyclopaedic knowledge. Guaranteed to send you back to your writing desk with newfound excitement and drive Chris Chibnall, creator/writer, Broadchurch, Gracepoint, The Great Train Robbery

A great book on story structure Graham Linehan, creator/writer, Father Ted, The IT Crowd, Black Books, Count Arthur Strong

Brilliant, illuminates & explains Susan Hill, author of The Woman In Black

There is no end of books that instruct us on how to write the perfect screenplay, but few that delve more deeply into the art of storytelling than this erudite volume Financial Times, Summer Reads

Any consumer of books, plays, TV or films will find the experience enhanced; and scriptwriters themselves will find useful guidance because when you know the why, the how is natural Independent on Sunday

Even for a convinced sceptic, John Yorkes book, with its massive field of reference from Aristotle to Glee, and from Shakespeare to Spooks, is a highly persuasive and hugely enjoyable read. It would be hard to beat for information and wisdom about how and why stories are told Dominic Dromgoole, Artistic Director, The Globe Theatre

Its strength is Yorkes acute perception of the wellsprings of universal narrative structures relevant to all artistic activities The Times

A superb study of how stories work, from Hamlet to Citizen KaneSunday Times

Part How-to manual, part why-to celebration, Into The Woods is a wide-reaching and infectiously passionate exploration of storytelling in all its guises exciting and thought-provoking Emma Frost, writer The White Queen, Jamaica Inn and Shameless

Every TV writer should read the first chapter alone Simon Ashdown, writer/series consultant, EastEnders

Testing the adage that in theory theres no difference between theory and practice but in practice there is, this is a love story to story erudite, witty and full of practical magic. Its by far the best book of its kind Ive ever read. I struggle to think of the writer who wouldnt benefit from reading it even if they dont notice because theyre too busy enjoying every page Neil Cross, creator/writer of Luther, Crossbones and writer of Dr Who, Spooks

Books on story structure are ten a penny but Mistah Yorkes is the real deal Kathryn Flett

Terrific Its a great read, wise and cogent, and a must for all screenwriters David Eldridge, writer Festen, In Basildon

Its a great read. It makes me smile and say Yes! aloud. Only this and PG Wodehouse do that. Lucy Gannon, writer/creator Soldier Soldier, Peak Practice, Frankie, The Best Of Men

A mind-blower an incredibly dense but very readable tome about the art of storytelling Really worth a read Lenny Henry, Independent

Anyone considering a career in television should read this book. Anyone with a career in television should read this book too Tony Grounds, writer, Our Girl, Gone To The Dogs, Births, Marriages and Deaths

Art consists of limitation. The most beautiful
part of every picture is the frame.

G. K. Chesterton