Screenwriting : From Amateur to Professional Screenwriter by Teresa Thornton

Great to meet you, Teresa Thornton. These screenwriting books helped me go from amateur to pro:

#1) "Your Screenplay Sucks!: 100 Ways to Make It Great" (www.amazon.com/Your-Screenplay-Sucks-Ways-Great/dp/1932907459)

#2) "Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting" (www.amazon.com/Screenplay-Foundations-Screenwriting-Syd-Field/dp/0385339038)

These Stage 32 webinars helped:

#1) "How to Write Your Script for Budget and Schedule so Producers Will Actually Want to Make It" (www.stage32.com/webinars/How-to-Write-Your-Script-for-Budget-and-Schedul...)

#2) "How To Write A Query Letter That Gets You Past The Gatekeepers" (www.stage32.com/webinars/How-To-Write-A-Query-Letter-That-Gets-You-Past-...)

#3) "How To Write A Short Film That Gets You Noticed" (www.stage32.com/webinars/How-To-Write-A-Short-Film-That-Gets-You-Noticed)

And I suggest checking out the Stage 32 Screenwriting Blogs (www.stage32.com/blog/tags/screenwriting-25).

I haven’t finished reading this book yet, Teresa Thornton, but it might be the best screenwriting book I’ve read: "Turn & Burn: The Scriptwriter's Guide to Writing Better Screenplays Faster (Writing Guides)" by CJ Walley (www.scriptrevolution.com/guide/turn-and-burn)

CJ is on Stage 32 (www.stage32.com/cjwalley).

I vastly improved recently after getting feed back from a pro reader here on Stage 32. My reader also suggested reading scripts similar to my own which was another big help. William C. Martell's blue books are the best of the lot by a long way.

Working on movies & tv shows and seeing how stuff is really done. Book Theory vs. skin in the game

I've been thinking about getting William C. Martell's blue books, Daniel Smith.

Maurice, thank you so much! That's a fantastic start. I'll check those out.

You're welcome, Teresa Thornton.

Hey Teresa Thornton! Highly recommend these courses from Stage 32, they're awesome (I've taken them myself!)

Fundamentals of Screenwriting --> https://www.stage32.com/classes/Create-Your-Feature-Film-Outline-With-A-...

4 Steps to Your First Draft --> https://www.stage32.com/classes/4-Steps-to-Writing-your-Feature-Film-fir...

And we have some great labs coming up if you want feedback on your work as you're writing

Daniel Smith I have had some really helpful feedback, as well, that was so helpful. Thank you! I definitely want to grab blue books. Great input! Thank you!

Dan MaxXx I 100% agree. Being on set quickly had me falling in love with the whole process and gave me such a deeper understanding of how it all works together. I'm hooked! Thank you!

Emily J those look fantastic! I am going back over all the basics since I haven't written in a while and I want to take it as a fresh start. Thank you so much!

I recommend reading up on the 8 sequence approach to screenwriting. If you google it you'll find a lot of resources on it. Following that structure/breakdown has helped me tremendously.

Nick Waters I just found some great stuff on 8 sequence approach. Thank you!

Teresa Thornton Anytime! I am a screenwriting junkie, if you need help finding more resources (especially here on Stage 32!) shoot me an email at success@stage32.com

Love that Emily J and I will definitely reach out! Thanks so much!

Some great advice already posted for you, Teresa Thornton. I'm a big fan of Story by Robert McKee. Though it addresses story structure it's more about the essence of story, why we tell stories and its impact on the audience.

The vast screenwriting education available here at Stage 32 is unparalleled- the instructors are so experienced. Here’s a link so you check it all out: https://www.stage32.com/education/tag/screenwriting

Every class I have done through stage 32 has been excellent. I completely agree, Sam! I even have tons of great nugget notes from archived writer's room webcast. I think this thread of input has given me a new starting place of what to focus on next. :-) Thanks, Sam!

Thanks, Ty! I've enjoyed his class on characters but I may dig deeper with Story.

Work...may it be only content writing at the beginning...

7 years with the Virginia Screenwriters Forum (2014-2021), located in Richmond, Virginia, aided me greatly in producing 7 feature screenplays and 2 shorts (many having either won or placed in national competitions.). For the last 9 years, I've kept a recorded history of every single Win, Finalist, Semi, Quarter, and Official Selection status achieved in each competition.

I read part of a couple how to books and wrote a lot of screenplays. I probably learned more while working for a production company working on production scripts and working with some successful people in the industry.

Teresa Thornton All of the advice and recommendations already listed here are wonderful. The only thing I would add is peer review. Having a small group of trusted friends who have your best interest at heart who will take the time to read your work is what has really helped me. But the caveat is they have to be someone you can trust and who genuinely has a heart to see you do well. Much like CS Lewis and Tolkien who had "The Inklings" - a small contingent is invaluable. All the best to you and blessings on all you put your hand to!

Sign up for an ongoing development class with an industry pro that fits your genre. Pricey but all those little webinars add up so might as well do something with actual feedback on your revisions, and push you to get the thing ready to pitch.

Thank you, Leonardo. Really, really good advice.

I love the idea of the development class Cara! Thank you.