Your First Screenwriting Book

Myles · Jul 14, 2007

Hi all,

I was just curious what your first screenwriting book was that started you on your way to writing your first script. Mine was "Writing Screenplays that Sell" by Michael Hauge. I've read a few other screenwriting books, but even now many years later I still find myself picking this one back up and skimming through the pages to get me in the screenwriting frame of mind.

krano · Jul 14, 2007

"the screenwriter's bible" was my first and taught me structure, but "writing the character-centered screenplay" by andrew horton has benefited me more.

MonaLeigh · Jul 14, 2007

I read The Screenwriter's Bible also. There are a lot of really good ones out there, but I like that one the best.

MrJayVee · Jul 14, 2007

Good books...

A few really good ones out there.

The Screenwriter's Bible is definitely an excellent choice.

I also recommend Real Screenwriting, by Ron Suppa. It gives a solid overview of the art, craft, and business of screenwriting.

I also highly recommend a book that I wrote, which is...

Q and A: The Working Screenwriter: An In-the-Trenches Perspective of Writing Movies in Today's Film Industry (with a foreword written by David Trottier, Author of The Screenwriter's Bible). This book is a real eye-opener into the life of a working screenwriter.

Read. Learn. Enjoy!

hubbabubbs · Jul 14, 2007

My first was by Syd Field. A better choice would have been Vogler's Writer's Journey. Which was actually recommended to me on this board and definitely developed a better understanding of story/heroes journey.

icerose · Jul 15, 2007

I've never read a script writing book.

My local library doesn't carry it, isn't on the book sharing program, and is rather small on a donation only basis.

I can't afford to buy one, so I've scowered sites and asked the help of these fine forum members, as well as reading scripts. Nothing like example to show you how to do it right.

It was an agent that actually got me into script writing. I had a book she was representing, and she wanted to see if she could sell it in screenplay form. So I delved in and I've been at it ever since.

Boo_Radley · Jul 15, 2007

Syd Fields' "Screenplay" was my first. Followed quickly by a plethora of others, the betters of which were Trottier's "Screenwriter's Bible" and Chris Keane's "How to Write A Selling Screenplay."

Pryce · Jul 16, 2007

"The Screenwriter's Bible" was my first. Personally I think "How Not to Write a Screenplay" is much better.

Hillgate · Jul 16, 2007

Agreed that Screenwriter's Bible is the most inspiring one out there.

For further inspiration try Joe Esterhaz's books - especially his latest.
Whatever you do, don't attempt to follow any of Robert McKee's diagrams in 'Story': he never sold a real script and if you follow his diagrams neither will you!!!

Your First Screenwriting Book

Myles

krano

MonaLeigh

Wasting time

MrJayVee

Pro scribe

hubbabubbs

icerose

Lost in School Work

Boo_Radley

100% Death Proof

Pryce

Hillgate

On location