I hope everyone is safe during this time. Stay calm and wash your hands!
With this time of staying home more, I feel like this is a great time to focus on learning more about the art of writing a story.
I wanted to share some books that I have in my library that you may already have, or you may not.
1. The War on Art. by Steven Pressfield.
I read this book at least twice a year, its a great kick in the nuts about how sometimes we loose sight on our craft and give in to the little voice in our head that said we can't do it. Quick read, lasting impact.
2. The TV Writer's Workbook by Ellen Sandler.
I believe David Trottier the author of the 6th edition of The Screenwriter'sBible, recommended this book.
If you're a TV writer, this book can help with formatting, understanding developing characters, and has alot of useful workbook -isk things ! Paired with The Screenwriter's bible, you will be unstoppable.
3. Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot by Jane K. Cleland.
This golden nugget, was recommend by Neil Gaiman on has MasterClass, I had some issues with my writing, and this book was exactly what I needed. The Flow is to keep people on the edge of their seat!
4 The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egi
I would hope most of you have this on your bed side, if you are writing for drama! I mean, whether you're a playwright, or a screenwriter, this book will bring the drama!
5. The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
Okay, unless you are vanilla, or been living under a rock, you NEED to have this masterpiece. The hero's journey, you know it, you've seen it, where do you think they got the structure from? YOU GUESS IT. This lovely book. Granted, its a little of a read, however, stick with it and create the newest hero for millions to fall in love with!
These are just some of the books I on my desk, of course I have, Robert Mckee, Trudy,Blake Snyder etc... But I hope things books will bring value into your writing if it hasn't already.
ALSO, you can get all these books on amazon OR, if you just can't wait to get your hands on them. I encourage you to download Scribd on your phone or ipad, or computer. for 9.99 a month, you have UNLIMITED audiobooks, and Books! I believe, some books won't be on there just yet, but you have a hell of a lot of choices to sink your teeth in!
I hope this helps some of yall out, and If you have any question, I'm here for you!
Thank you Adrian Cruz
of course!
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Hi Adrian,
Screenplay by Syd Field is THE book to read, digest, memorize, understand and use. IMHO.
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oh yea, he has some real estate on my desk, I wanted to throw just a few books out there, Robert Mckee, Blake Snyder, Syd Field, Trudy, and David Trottier are some household names, many writers know about. I think i have Syd Field's workbook? I have to find out now!
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I've got a couple of yards of screenwriting/writing books on my shelves - they mostly just repeat the same old same old.
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I am going to dedicate a few hours a day to reading really old screenplays.
I have got into 1800 Swedish theatre. I know I sound like an idiot. But I found an article that said there was a tradition of one hour plays at that time.
People would go and see two a night from different writers. So I hunted down Pariah. Very cool.
Because they are so short, they are single location. You learn a lot by reading work. (in my opinion).