I usually boast of having no education. Well, it’s not entirely true. I just did most of my studying on my own. Apart from the truckloads of fiction I have digested through the years, here are a few of my actual “study books”.
How to Write a Movie in 21 Days
by Viki King
Behind this smartass title is perhaps the best book about screenwriting I’ve read. Don’t know about the 21 days though, but as a schematic look at how a movie is constructed right down to on what page the events happen, there’s no beating this. A fast and fun read, works good as a checklist.
Plot and Structure
by James Scott Bell
A real simple, practical look at how to construct a story, applying teqniques known from Hollywood, but useful in any media.
How Not to Write a Novel
by Sandra Mittelmark and Howard Newman
A sort of upside-down look at some of the clichés and bad habits of bad writing. Funny and insightful.
The 101 Habits Of Highly Successful Screenwriters
by Karl Iglesias
Just what the title suggest, right down to what the writer’s working space looks like, working hours and whether they drink coffee at their desk. And also more heavy stuff as how to handle critizism, pitching and writing with a partner. Down-to-earth, practical advice from people who know what they’re talking about. Great that you get several opinions on each aspect, underlining the fact that there’s more than one way to do things.
If you have recommendations in this area, please comment below!
My absolute favorite is Lajos Egri's classic The Art of Dramatic Writing, which I tend to come back to over and over.
I've also quite enjoyed Blake Snyder's Save the Cat, which I found very hands on and useful.
Per
Save the cat, Blake Snyder
Thanks for the tips, guys! Legri is a bit heavy for my taste, I have to read every sentence twice to understand what he's talking about, and I keep dozing off! Save the Cat is great fun, very down-to-Earth and practical.