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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
I acquired this book in around 2010. I was working on a treatment for a script about an actress fighting breast cancer and the book is used by Andrew Nordval who teaches the script writing lab in North Hollywood. This was PRE- 50/50. This is a possible formula, there are several out there. I like it as it gives a back bone but well write what seems to work.
Decided to read this book after author Sierra Godfrey recommended it in an interview at the end of A Very Typical family. While I am not planning on writing a screenplay, I found this book very insightful about how to structure a story. Also, I have heard about using the index card method to organize ideas, but until reading this book, how to do it effectively eluded me. I will likely refer back to this book in the future for reference.
I read this originally a few years back but never finished it. When I started outlining my current novel I found it an extremely helpful guide. While this is geared more to screenwriting, accordingly the references are of movies, it’s usefulness can’t be denied. The 12 step beat sheet is a tool I’ll keep in my writing work belt. If you are writing a novel though plan on following up with Save The Cat Writes A Novel by Jessica Brody.
Meh...it’s basically instructions for a 3-Act play. I was hoping for, um, more?
Excellent book, whether you are interested in screenwriting or even interested in dissecting movies as a whole. But let's get serious, it's pretty much for screenwriters only.
He can be a bit much in parts, and of course take everything with a grain of salt, but for the most part this is an excellent tool in helping any writer get started or get sorted.
He can be a bit much in parts, and of course take everything with a grain of salt, but for the most part this is an excellent tool in helping any writer get started or get sorted.
The writing is, uh, not great, but reading this book did help me break through a bit on a story, so I'll give him that.
fast-paced
Good introduction to writing quick, interesting stories. It is about screenwriting but I think there are some universal truths there.
This is considered a classic and mandatory reading for writers everywhere for good reason. It covers basics of story in a way I was not as familiar with. The author is a screenwriter, and he talks about writing movies rather than books, but the principles of story are the same regardless of the medium. If you want to improve your storytelling skills, this book will do you well towards that goal.
informative
medium-paced