Want to create extraordinary and compelling screenplays? Start by understanding the secret sauce behind good scripts.
Screenwriting is undoubtedly one of the finest arts. Becoming a proficient and compelling screenwriter takes time, continuous practice, and long-standing efforts.
Reading is the best way to learn.
That’s how many screenwriters started their journey by reading screenwriting books written by the best screenwriters.
“But where should I begin?”
Don’t get overwhelmed
We have compiled a list of must-read screenwriting books that are beginner friendly and just right for you at this point of your writing journey and you don’t need to read all of them, just pick a few.
Select a book depending on what you want to learn and which skills you wish to improve.
Clarity, in-depth and concise knowledge, and helpful tips are the most important factors to consider while choosing a book to read. Check our list!
Write Tribe Recommends
1. The Screenwriter’s Bible by David Trottier
This book is a true gem. It is full of easy-to-grasp tools for writing, editing, formatting, and selling. The book explores screenwriting processes on how to write, in a step-by-step workbook format, and gives an industry-standard formatting guide.
Why this book?
Learn writing and revising tips and how to design powerful ending scenes. It also tells how to be emotionally involved and connect the audience with your characters. This book contains hundreds of writing tips and illustrations on character development with clear and compelling dialogue writing.
✅ Highly recommended book by agents and producers.
Buy Book: https://amzn.eu/d/bpuV3JH
2. Save the Cat: The last book on screenwriting you will ever need by Blake Synder
Known as the ultimate insider’s guide to screenwriting, this bestselling book is read and re-read by screenwriters all around the world.
Why this book?
Though there is no fixed structure that defines a strong screenplay, this book explores multiple structures and formats which can be used to build a compelling and interesting story.
Snyder gives a common trope where the audience is introduced to a hero and how he faces challenges and performs a brave act (such as saving the cat) that act itself showcases the hero’s purpose and values. The book also gives the essential resources needed to develop screenplays.
✅ The book gives a detailed explanation of how to develop and write a script.
Buy Book: https://amzn.eu/d/1H3rh7t
3. The Nutshell Technique: Crack the Secret of Successful Screenwriting by Jill Chamberlin
Jill Chamberlain noticed that 99% of first-time screenwriters present a situation and not a story. In this classic book and manual, Chamberlain explains how to form a compelling narrative, and gives multiple ways to produce a gripping narrative.
Why this book?
The book is full of examples from famous movies to help you understand how to write an interesting narrative.
The nutshell Technique is a method in which writers identify eight dynamics and interconnected elements that are required to successfully tell a story.
✅ With this book, you learn how to make a narrative engaging and interesting.
Buy Book: https://amzn.eu/d/dQz236d
4. Lew Hunter’s screenwriting 434
Lew Hunter’s premier screenwriting course at UCLA launched a generation of the industry’s most produced writers. Hunter takes the screenwriter through the entire process step-by-step by actually asking them to write an original script.
Why this book?
This book has a practical and hands-on method of explaining the complete writing process of a script.
✅ With this book, you get a first-hand experience of writing the script yourself.
Buy Book: https://amzn.eu/d/4zMPchG
5. Poetics by Aristotle
Poetics is one of the earliest books about writing that captures and explores Greek-era dramas. Aristotle believed the main purpose of drama was to arouse feelings of pity and fear in the audience.
Why this book?
Yes, this book is old, yet stories have been there since we were cavemen. Stories and their structures call to our humanity. This book offers a concise overview of the structure, characters, and motivations to understand the flow of a story. Aristotle gives detailed explanations of the 6 elements of drama, plot, character, theme, language, rhythm, and spectacle.
✅ In this book you learn how to structure a play that arouses emotion in the audience – it worked a millennia ago and still works now.
Buy Book: https://amzn.eu/d/39xy5Y6
6. Screenwriting by Syd Field
Syd Field is the most sought-after screenwriting teacher globally. This is the best-selling book of the 90s and gives away various screenwriting techniques.
Field is an expert in breaking down the script into small parts to understand the common factors, formats, and structures that makes a story successful.
Why this book?
This is a must-read for all beginners. A great guide for writing your first film, it simplifies the film in terms of structure and plot points and explains the points with popular examples.
✅ In this book, you learn the art of looking at a movie through the angle of screenwriting.
Buy Book: https://amzn.eu/d/cYfmYQS
7. The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler
Christopher Wagner, a leading name in the film industry is a well-known screenwriter. The Writer’s Journey is one of the most popular screenwriting books that provides helpful tips and insights for beginner screenwriters.
Why this book?
This book gives an insightful explanation of the progression of a character’s journey, the different narrative forms, and the character archetypes that are necessary for a good screenplay.
✅With this book, you will understand how to write a character and create different narratives.
Buy Book: https://amzn.eu/d/bMUXwuD
8. The 21st Century Screenplay by Linda Aronson
Whether you want to write short stories, adaptations, features, general films, blockbusters, art-house movies, or ensemble films, this book is your ultimate roadmap. Aronson gives a strategic plan from choosing the idea for the plot to writing, editing, and rewriting a successful script.
Why this book?
This book is the writer’s survival guide. It gives tips on how to write under pressure, write by utilizing your time more effectively, and also reveals the challenges of international competitions.
✅ With this book, you learn how to write different scripts creatively and how to write under pressure— an absolute requirement for any writer.
Buy Book: https://amzn.eu/d/76Habwk
Takeaway
These are just a few of the many screenwriting books available. Choose the one that will help you close the gaps in your writing.
At Write Tribe we know that reading is important, but it is even more important that you implement the techniques and strategies you learn through reading into your writing. So, read books, take notes and start your writing journey!