Book excerpt: Bill Johnson's writing workbook has three sections, each designed to help new and experienced authors alike to better understand the craft of storytelling. A Story is a Promise explores the mechanics of how a story transports an audience. Deep Characterization explores what happens when story characters are an extension of authors. The Spirit of Storytelling suggests techniques for authors to create characters with fully realized inner lives; characters who are vibrant, dynamic, and resonate with readers. The book includes an outline of The Lovely Bones and detailed reviews of Romeo and Juliet (the play), The Heidi Chronicles (play), The Shawshank Redemption The Usual Suspects (movies), and The Exorcist (novel). These reviews are meant to help writers understand the underlying process that creates popular stories. From author Carolyn J Rose, "Bill's work made me take a longer look at what matters to readers - and what matters to me as a reader - at the emotional core. I feel my characters are deeper and more memorable because of what I learned."