Audiobooks by Lajos Egri

'The Art of Dramatic Writing' by Lajos Egri, a groundbreaking work first published in 1946, stands as a timeless guide for playwrights, screenwriters, and storytellers. At its core is Egri's concept of the 'premise,' emphasizing the need for a central idea that shapes the entire narrative. This premise serves as the foundation, offering writers a clear direction and audiences a cohesive experience. Egri's focus on character development is a highlight. He argues that characters must possess well-defined motivations rooted in their psychological makeup. By delving into these psychological aspects, Egri teaches writers how to craft characters with depth, authenticity, and a genuine sense of purpose within the story. The book explores various storytelling elements, including plot, conflict, and dialogue. Egri's insights into conflict are particularly noteworthy, emphasizing its role as the driving force in a narrative. He guides writers on building and escalating tension to captivate and engage audiences. Practical and instructive, Egri provides a framework for writers to analyze and enhance their work. Numerous examples from classical and contemporary literature illustrate his principles, making the book a theoretical guide and hands-on manual for improving storytelling skills. 'The Art of Dramatic Writing' has left a lasting impact, influencing generations of writers and remaining a staple in creative writing programs. Its enduring relevance lies in its timeless principles, applicable across genres and mediums. Whether crafting a play, screenplay, or novel, Egri's teachings inspire writers to create impactful and emotionally resonant stories.

Lajos Egri (Author), Troy W. Hudson (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Art of Creative Writing

Thousands of books have been written on the subject of writing and how to do it better. Among them are a few select classics that reveal the essential elements of good storytelling. The Art of Creative Writing is such a classic. As in the bestselling The Art of Dramatic Writing, still considered one of the most essential books on playwriting more than seventy-five years after publication, the author outlines in detail his highly acclaimed Egri Method of Creative Writing and shows how to apply it to all fiction formats-novels, short stories, and screenplays. Grounded in Egri's assertion that 'Every type of creative writing depends upon the credibility of a character,' here is concise, clear advice on the most important element of good writing: characterization. Step by step, Egri shows writers how to probe the secrets of human motivation to create flesh-and-blood characters who create suspense and conflict, and who grow emotionally under stress and strain. As practical as it is inspiring, The Art of Creative Writing remains a timeless, illuminating guide that teaches every writer, and aspiring writer, how to create works that are both compelling and enduring.

Lajos Egri (Author), Dennis Kleinman (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Art of Dramatic Writing

Among the many 'how-to' playwriting books that have appeared over the years, there have been few that attempt to analyze the mysteries of play construction. Lajos Egri's classic, The Art of Dramatic Writing, does just that, with instruction that can be applied equally well to a short story, novel, or screenplay. Examining a play from the inside out, Egri starts with the heart of any drama: its characters. All good dramatic writing hinges on people and their relationships, which serve to move the story forward and give it life, as well as an understanding of human motives -- why people act the way that they do. Using examples from everything from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, Egri shows how it is essential for the author to have a basic premise -- a thesis, demonstrated in terms of human behavior -- and to develop the dramatic conflict on the basis of that behavior. Using Egri's ABCs of premise, character, and conflict, The Art of Dramatic Writing is a direct, jargon-free approach to the problem of achieving truth in writing.

Lajos Egri (Author), Troy W. Hudson (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Art of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis in the Creative Interpretation of Human Motives

Among the many 'how-to' playwriting books that have appeared over the years, there have been few that attempt to analyze the mysteries of play construction. Lajos Egri's classic, The Art of Dramatic Writing, does just that, with instruction that can be applied equally well to a short story, novel, or screenplay. Examining a play from the inside out, Egri starts with the heart of any drama: its characters. All good dramatic writing hinges on people and their relationships, which serve to move the story forward and give it life, as well as an understanding of human motives - why people act the way that they do. Using examples from everything from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, Egri shows how it is essential for the author to have a basic premise - a thesis, demonstrated in terms of human behavior - and to develop the dramatic conflict on the basis of that behavior. Using Egri's ABCs of premise, character, and conflict, The Art of Dramatic Writing is a direct, jargon-free approach to the problem of achieving truth in writing.

Lajos Egri (Author), Troy W. Hudson (Narrator)

Audiobook