Now Write! Screenwriting: Screenwriting Exercises from Today's Best Writers and Teachers

Now Write!

by Sherry Ellis, Laurie Lamson

An essential handbook featuring never-before-published writing exercises from the acclaimed screenwriters of Raging Bull, Ali, Terminator 2, Fame, Groundhog Day, Cape Fear, "Lost", "True Blood", "The Shield", and many other hit films and television shows.

Now Write! Screenwriting -the latest addition to the Now Write! writing guide series-brings together the acclaimed screenwriters of films like the Oscar-winning Raging Bull, Oscar- nominated Ali, era-defining blockbuster Terminator 2, musical classic Fame, hit series "Lost" "True Blood" and "The Shield," Groundhog Day, Cape Fear, Chicken Run, Reversal of Fortune, Before Sunrise, Mystic Pizza, Indecent Proposal, and many more, to teach the art of the story.

*Learn about why it is sometimes best to write what you don't know from Christina Kim ('Lost')

*Find out how Stephen Rivele (Ali, Nixon) reduces his screenplay ideas down to their most basic elements, and uses that as a writing guide

*Learn why you should focus on your character, not your plot, when digging yourself out of a plot home from Danny Rubin ( Groundhog Day )

*Take tips from Karey Kirkpatrick (Chicken Run, The Spiderwick Chronicles) on how to give an inanimate object intense emotional significance

*Let Kim Krizan (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset) teach you how to stop your internal critic dead in his tracks

This lively and easy-to-read guide will motivate both aspiring and experienced screenwriters. No other screenwriting book offers advice and exercises from this many writers of successful, iconic films.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Film, Reference, Adult

368 pages, Paperback

First published December 14, 2010

About the author

Sherry Ellis was a writer, social worker, writing coach, and the originator of the Now Write! series of writing exercise books. She edited Now Write!, Now Write! Nonfiction, and coedited Now Write! Screenwriting with her niece, Laurie Lamson. Her author interviews were published in literary magazines and are anthologized in Illuminating Fiction. She passed away during the process of putting together the fourth book in the series: Now Write! Mysteries. She is greatly missed by authors everywhere.

Reviews

[Daniel P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am proud to be a contributor to this book and even I got a lot out of reading the various essays by so many top names in the industry! I love the way the book is organized by the elements of screenwriting and also in the ORDER of the writing process -- from concept generation to marketing your finished spec script.

Great book, and I'm not just saying that because I'm in there! :-) I'm humbled by my fellow contributors who have so many great credits and I thank them for their insight.

-Daniel Calvisi
author of Story Maps: How to Write a GREAT Screenplay (also on Goodreads and in a special bundle HERE.

Story Maps: How to Write a GREAT Screenplay

[Leoctso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read, or tried to read a few screenwriting books before. This is the first one that breaks the craft down to different aspects to me in various fun exercises. I am by no means a writer yet. But for the first time I can feel the satisfactions when I write.

[Sherrill Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I counted, and have 58 yellow stickies in this library book. I'm renewing it, but I'm not sure THAT will be enough. I've read it twice. Gems on every page, most writers words were useful start to finish. I was "stuck" on a short story, and can now finish it. Can't recommend this book enough.

[Rachel Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with tips, commentary, and exercises from experts in the field of screenwriting from writers to literary agents. The book is broken down into sections with 10 different experts giving their insights in each topic area. It's great to read through cover to cover once to get tips and inspiration. Then it will be a great resource to go back to as you are at each stage of writing to help stir your creativity and refine your various drafts.

[Naseem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book and very great exercises. The only con I have is that the exercises seemed a bit repetitive in the 2nd and 3rd sections of the book. Some of the writers had the same, or very similar, exercises. My favorite advice was from the writer in the chapter "Finding Your Story." My favorite section in general was, "CHOOSING YOUR STORY."

P.S. I would also love to see more advice in the "How to Find and Get an Agent" chapter.

[Luann Schindler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic exercises to help novice - and even professional - screenwriters fine tune their skills.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent exercises.

[Kermet Key · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got this book because on the cover it mentioned LOST, the show that made me want to become a writer (I began writing for a fansite during the 2nd season and eventually met Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse, Adam Horowitz, and Eddy Kitsis...then I met several cast members at cons). I don't remember anything of significance from the book.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of random tips and exercises. A few of them were pretty helpful.

[Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came up with an idea for a feature film through one of these exercises so yeah pretty good book!

[Hilary Ledford · Rating 3 out of 5]

NOW WRITE: Book #4 in prepping for teaching my upcoming Screenwriting course! The format of this book was a highlight for me- organized by theme (character, dialogue, plot, etc.), it's full of advice and exercises from screenwriters. My major critique is that there is a LOT of repetition among the various exercises - there were multiple times that I read four or five similar exercises. The bonus to having so many options to choose from is that one of the versions typically was a better fit for my curriculum. 3.5☆

[OwlBeReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book buried on my shelf and I don’t know why it took me so long to read it considering the fact that I got it about 10 years ago as a 13-year-old who wanted to be a screenwriter. Honestly, it only took me two days to finish it because although it may be helpful to others, it’s no longer really helpful to me. But at the same time, I feel like it does help when it comes to wanting to be a writer at least with some of the exercises that the other screenwriters added. Honestly, the exercises were my favorite parts simply because I’ve never looked at writing it in that way. It’s more than just brain dumping. You do have to think through every piece of it, but there are ways to make it seem less daunting so for that I am grateful and who knows, maybe it’ll sit on my shelf for the rest of my life, maybe it’ll go to a library, or maybe if I ever do become a writer I will open it and use some of the tips and tricks that all of these different writers included. So, if you want to be a screenwriter or just a writer why not pick it up? Flip on through it while you take a break from some other reads and maybe take some notes. You might need them.

[Tiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the ultimate screenwriters handbook! I love how each chapter is short and has an exercise to help you lean what you just read about. Unlike other books on any writing, this book is easy and enjoyable to read. Each chapter is written by a different writer or author who have published books (or in this one, screenplays) we've actually heard of and love. I can't even begin to tell how much I've learned from this book. This book series belongs on every writers shelve!

[Alicia Zuto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing for writers as well as screen writers.The exercises are endless and well thought out.I got a lot of fresh ideas and I have read so many books that I thought New insightful ideas werent even left. Love This book, the examples given along side the plentiful exercises