There's so many books to choose from that I need a little help. I think I've done all I can with the internet and am now looking for a book to read that will help take my screenplay to the next level. I really need help with action lines, so if you could recommend a book that covers that it would be helpful. Any suggestions are great. Thanks.
Best book to help with screenwriting?
- Thread starter curious1980
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Hi Curious,
It's hard to know what book or other tool will take you to the next level, without knowing what level you are currently at. There are books that deal with specific aspects of writing such as Linda Seger's "Creating Unforgettable Characters". The writersstore.com has a great selection of books.
Books are not the only option. Classes and seminars are great - if there are none in your area, there are some available online - the writersstore in Los Angeles offers online classes.
There are also seminars available on DVD. Creative Screenwriting magazine has released DVD's of many of their screenwriting expo seminars. These seminars hit upon almost every aspect of the craft from the basics of writing, to seminars that focus on theme, specific genres etc. These classes are taught by some of the best consultants in the business, including many who have written the books you're reading to learn how to write.
John Truby, who is a very well respected screenwriting guru also has his seminars out on dvd you can them through his site - truby.com. He has classes on all the main genres as well as a unique approach to structure.
As for writing better action lines. One of the best ways to learn how to do that is by reading scripts that have great descriptions in them to see how the pros do it.
There are a number of sites where yo you can download scripts for free like imsdb or simplyscripts. There are also places you can purchase them if you can't find the ones you want on a free site.
Hope this helps,
Dev
It's hard to know what book or other tool will take you to the next level, without knowing what level you are currently at. There are books that deal with specific aspects of writing such as Linda Seger's "Creating Unforgettable Characters". The writersstore.com has a great selection of books.
Books are not the only option. Classes and seminars are great - if there are none in your area, there are some available online - the writersstore in Los Angeles offers online classes.
There are also seminars available on DVD. Creative Screenwriting magazine has released DVD's of many of their screenwriting expo seminars. These seminars hit upon almost every aspect of the craft from the basics of writing, to seminars that focus on theme, specific genres etc. These classes are taught by some of the best consultants in the business, including many who have written the books you're reading to learn how to write.
John Truby, who is a very well respected screenwriting guru also has his seminars out on dvd you can them through his site - truby.com. He has classes on all the main genres as well as a unique approach to structure.
As for writing better action lines. One of the best ways to learn how to do that is by reading scripts that have great descriptions in them to see how the pros do it.
There are a number of sites where yo you can download scripts for free like imsdb or simplyscripts. There are also places you can purchase them if you can't find the ones you want on a free site.
Hope this helps,
Dev
I found the Screenwriter's Workbook to be very informative. I would visit your local library and take a look at all their screenwriting books. Check out the ones that seem to have good info. If you only benefit from a few pages or a section take some notes. Otherwise you may find a couple you want to add to your collection.
I've picked up several writing books for a few bucks each from Amazon's New and Used link. Shipping is a flat $3.99.
I've picked up several writing books for a few bucks each from Amazon's New and Used link. Shipping is a flat $3.99.
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Another one you might consider is Writing For Emotional Impact by Karl Iglesias... chuck full of great tips for ensuring your script is emotionally engaging (regardless of genre).
call me crazy but here is my choice
How to write a screenplay for idiots.
Laugh all you want but it has helped me with formatting, proper query letter, how to write a powerful logline, and how to write an effective treatment. It has been so successful I have used it the entire way through the process, to the point that tomorrow at 12:30 I have a phone meeting with the Director of Acquisitions of a Distribution/Production Company who emailed me back after reading my treatment and stated in her email that she "loves the treatment and the story, it is a unique Sci-Fi that has the potential for broad appeal" We are talking tomorrow to further discuss "her interest" in the script.
If I make an option or a sale tomorrow or have a conversation that leads down that discussion, I'm going to send the author a thank you letter and a check.
How to write a screenplay for idiots.
Laugh all you want but it has helped me with formatting, proper query letter, how to write a powerful logline, and how to write an effective treatment. It has been so successful I have used it the entire way through the process, to the point that tomorrow at 12:30 I have a phone meeting with the Director of Acquisitions of a Distribution/Production Company who emailed me back after reading my treatment and stated in her email that she "loves the treatment and the story, it is a unique Sci-Fi that has the potential for broad appeal" We are talking tomorrow to further discuss "her interest" in the script.
If I make an option or a sale tomorrow or have a conversation that leads down that discussion, I'm going to send the author a thank you letter and a check.
My favourites are Story by Robert McKee and Blockbuster Plots by Martha Alderson, but they're both more focused on plot and structure overall than the nuts and bolts of writing a good action line. For that, I too think your best bet is to read as many actual screenplays as you can!
I have some pitfalls. Like I tell more than show and my dialogue
are the same for all my characters . Like I am an Indian and I speak quite different from native speaker .I aslo found that black American , NRI'S speak differently from white. As script writing is mainly spoken dialogue i would like to know is there any book where we can learn such things .Sorry I am not a rascist and i just want help and dont mistake me. Presently I am being helped by western scriptwriters , so pl help
padma
are the same for all my characters . Like I am an Indian and I speak quite different from native speaker .I aslo found that black American , NRI'S speak differently from white. As script writing is mainly spoken dialogue i would like to know is there any book where we can learn such things .Sorry I am not a rascist and i just want help and dont mistake me. Presently I am being helped by western scriptwriters , so pl help
padma
If your internet connection will allow it, tune in to US radio stations, especially talk radio programs. Many stations have a live talk/news/comedy format in the morning from 6 am to 10 am, Eastern Standard Time.
Tape a half hour of radio and transcribe it.
Programs that take listener phone calls are also good.
If you're interested specifically in black American speech patterns, look up the Tom Joyner show, and the Steve Harvey show, and listen to the live stream of their morning broadcasts.
You can probably find live streams for Dr Laura and Rush Limbaugh, too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most-listened-to_radio_programs
The conservative talks shows are particularly good because they have really angry callers, inarticulate callers with working class and regional accents.
NPR, by contrast is full of overeducated, well spoken east coast intellectuals who are speak too well and are entirely too mild mannered. Except for Click and Clack. Click and Clack is great for New England accents.
I love...
"The Screenwriters Bible" by: David Trottier
"Save the Cat" by: Blake Snyder
and you have to read
"Screenplay" by: His Holiness Syd Field
"The Screenwriters Bible" by: David Trottier
"Save the Cat" by: Blake Snyder
and you have to read
"Screenplay" by: His Holiness Syd Field
How about Lew Hunter's, "Screenwriting 434"?
(I also read "Screenplay," by Syd Field)
I just finished Denny Martin Flynn's "How NOT to Write a Screenplay" it was a fun read. Informative.
I'm reading "Story" now.
Check into writer, Skip Press as well.
(I also read "Screenplay," by Syd Field)
I just finished Denny Martin Flynn's "How NOT to Write a Screenplay" it was a fun read. Informative.
I'm reading "Story" now.
Check into writer, Skip Press as well.
I know this is an older thread, but I would agree with that for maybe the first three books someone should get. I know some hate Syd Field's work, but a budding screenwriter should read it if for no other reason than to be able to talk about it and its ideas.
I would throw in Story by McKee as well.
That made me chuckle.
He really is into the "positive and negative charge," isn't he? Maybe he was an electrician. ;-)
Still, I think the book is worth reading.
I just ordered "Save the Cat" from Amazon over the weekend after reading Blake Snyder's obituary. I heard it was a very good screenwriting book.
I lean towards books by writers who are, you know, writers. So from three idols:
David Mamet's Bambi Vs. Godzilla is brilliant and funny and inspiring; I also like Ray Bradbury's Zen In The Art of Writing, which is more of a memoir than a how-to - but his style is so hot and floral yet full of clear detail. Elmore Leonard's article The Ten Rules of Writing has been packaged as a book as well - how to kick ass in 11 simple lessons. (Of course he gives you a bonus.
)
I heard Stephen King's book is excellent, so if anyone's read it chime in.
As to the purely technical writers, I'd vote for Dave Trottier for formatting and Robert McKee for structure. Syd Field is a legend but some consider his style to be archaic - not a good thing in our business.
David Mamet's Bambi Vs. Godzilla is brilliant and funny and inspiring; I also like Ray Bradbury's Zen In The Art of Writing, which is more of a memoir than a how-to - but his style is so hot and floral yet full of clear detail. Elmore Leonard's article The Ten Rules of Writing has been packaged as a book as well - how to kick ass in 11 simple lessons. (Of course he gives you a bonus.
)I heard Stephen King's book is excellent, so if anyone's read it chime in.
As to the purely technical writers, I'd vote for Dave Trottier for formatting and Robert McKee for structure. Syd Field is a legend but some consider his style to be archaic - not a good thing in our business.
Stephen King's
"On Writing" is a really an inspiring book!
While not on the nuts and bolts of screenwriting, quite a few of King's books have become wonderful movies.
His tips and suggestions can apply to any type of writing.
"On Writing" is a really an inspiring book!
While not on the nuts and bolts of screenwriting, quite a few of King's books have become wonderful movies.
His tips and suggestions can apply to any type of writing.