Books on Screen Writing

The following list of Books You Can't Live Without is based on a set of criteria that I admit may be considered highly idiosyncratic. I judge a book on screenwriting, television writing, or just plain writing on the following:

  • How well the author understands the philosophical ideal of the good script (or novel or short story or sentence)
  • How much practical knowledge of the business side of things the author demonstrates
  • How entertaining the author's writing style is (because that's a direct example of how good a writer he or she is)
  • How much I learn from the author
  • How much I personally know about the author and his or her work (and how much I admire him or her)

    Now that you're armed with knowledge of my bias, here is my list of:

    The 10 Most Helpful Writing Books You Can Read

  • Television Writing from the Inside Out: Your Channel to Success by Larry Brody
    (My favorite book because it really does give you an inside look that no other ever has - I swear)
  • Plots and Characters: A Screenwriter on Screenwriting by Millard Kaufman
    (Millard was one of my idols, and I even got to hire him once...and learn much more than I expected)
  • Laughing Matters : On Writing Mash, Tootsie, Oh, God!, and a Few Other Funny Things by Larry Gelbart
    (Gelbart is an all-time great comedy writer--and hardly bitter at all)
  • Adventures in the Screen Trade : A Personal View of Hollywood and Screenwriting by William Goldman
    (Still the best look at what it's like to be a working writer)
  • The Collected Works of Paddy Chayefsky : The Television Plays by Paddy Chayefsky
    (Cheyefsky was undoubtedly the best writer to ever work in the medium)
  • Making a Good Script Great by Linda Seger
    (Linda is one hell of a writer, especially when it comes to sitcoms, and her husband used to be my agent)
  • The Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script by David Trottier
    (The basics laid out for you)
  • Scream: A Screenplay by Kevin Williamson
    (I hated the movie, but this is what sells, so you should all know how to do it)
  • Opening the Doors to Hollywood : How to Sell Your Idea Story, Book, Screenplay, Manuscript by Carlos De Abreu
    (What to do after you've finished writing, and not for the faint of heart)
  • Syd Field's Screenwriting Workshop
    (Okay, it's a video not a book, but Syd Field's workshops are far and away the best of their kind and participating, even secondhand, is a must)

    And the absolutely most necessary book for all writers of any kind, even though it's Number 11:

  • The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White
    (Read it! Memorize it! Do it!)

    Which reminds me. My new book isn't about writing per se, but is in fact an inside look at television and how TV has changed the world we live in as well as itself. So check it out:

  • Turning Points in Television by Larry Brody

    • Just to keep life uncomplicated, all you have to do is click on the books you want and you'll be whisked to your friendly neighborhood Amazon.Com so you can order.


    		   
     
     
    Larry Brody's TELEVISION WRITING FROM THE INSIDE OUT
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