Screenwriting Updated: New (and Conventional) Ways of Writing for the Screen

Ms Aronson, who is based in Australia, has written an advanced book for professional Screenwriters. This book, while a "How-to" in nature, is not for a novice. At least an intro-level "Dummies" or "Idiots" screenwriting book needs to be digested first. Recall that "writing a novel" and "adapting a novel to a screenplay" is a very different and daunting task. Thus competence in a high school or college level English Literature course will prepare a writer for poetry, short stories and novels and understanding Shakespeare's plays. English Lit does not prepare one for writing a screenplay. IMHO a woman's perspective in a male-dominated profession has broadened how women's characters and dialog are developed. She analyzes several films which have strong actress characters. The area that her book is weak is on how the Screenwriter fits as part of the movie or TV production team. She gives about 5 pgs to embellish, or give the "treatment," for the production script. Aronson's book has lots of diagrams, figures, tables and lists. The book's 6-pg TOC does not have a list of figures. The back has a 1-pg Filmography, a 4-pg Bibliography, and a 6-pg Index. This book can be used as a college-level text. Many Figures contain pedagogical questions, many chapters end with an informal list of questions, and there are many film case studies, useful for the student that has easy access to movie DVDs for viewing and movie script books (or downloads from imsdbDOTcom) for analysis. See lindaaronsonDOTnet. ********** Summary of the first-half of the book, important principles are keyed with asterisks. Development Strategies: Ch1p2,6,9 *1* Vertical thinking (analytical, task, left-brain); Ch1p3,7,9 *2* Lateral thinking (personal & emotive, right-brain); Ch2p19 *3* Pinpointing genre and models; Ch4p32,35 *4* Get more ideas by creating links to different things; Ch6p53 *5* Make sure disturbance involves real change; Ch6p54 *6* Distinguish an idea from a story; Ch6p55 *7* Create a simple story sentence; Ch6p58 *8* Differentiating action and relationship lines; Ch6p60 *9* Define the steps of the relationship; Ch6p65 *10* Identify protagonist; Ch6p70 *11* Identify antagonist; Ch6p74 *12* Getting into character; Ch6p75 *13* Finding first-act turning point (surprise/obstacle); Ch6p77 *14* Devise 2nd-act complications; Ch6p78 *15* Find 2nd-act turning point; Ch6p79 *16* Find climax; Ch6p80 *17* Estab 1st-act turning point thru final climax; Ch6p81 *18* Coming to a resolution and ending; Ch6p82 *19* Checklist before starting to write 1st draft; Ch6p83 *20* Create advanced story sentence; Ch6p84 *21* Check that relationship line is moving; Ch6p86 *21* Getting right scenario for each scene; Ch6p87 *23* Creating opening scenes; Ch6p88 *24* Using symbolism and myth; Ch6p90 *25* Planning a screen adaptation; Ch6p92 *26* Writing comedy satire; Ch6p94 *27* Writing short film; Ch6p96 *28* Wring journey film; Ch6p97 *29* Staying objective at 2nd Draft; ********** p1-

The best book on screenwriting I've seen. It provides a clear and intuitive way of looking at narrative structure where others make structure appear merely arbitrary. In addition it is one of the only books (if not the only book) that deals practically with writing non-linear narrative structures seen in such films as Shine, Memento, and Pulp Fiction.

I have seen virtually everything out there and for me this is simply the best of the bunch. Linda Aronson has put so much that is practical into this book, that I am actually grateful to her. More than that, I am a bit in awe of her intelligence and generosity. I have never seen so much excellent advice in one book about the creative process of writing, the interplay of what she calls vertical and lateral thinking. I simply don't have the time to really explain all that is incredible about this book-I'm using it right now to write a radio drama and I have to get back to work. (obviously,the book's advice applies). Check it out-it may speak to you. For me, Linda Aronson is a supremely gifted teacher. Ah, the joys of clarity.

Award winning screenwriter, playwright, and novelist Linda Aronson draws upon her many years of professional experience and expertise to present Screenwriting Updated: New (And Conventional) Ways Of Writing For The Screen, a singularly useful and "user friendly" compendium of advice, examples, tips, tricks, and techniques on writing scripts for television and film. Sections cover such topics as Getting Ideas, Narrative Structure, and dialogue writing. Sample scenes abound, clearly illustrating various writing principles and rendering the concepts in concrete, unmistakable clarity. A complete "how to" course in a single volume, Screenwriting Updated is very highly recommended for both aspiring and active screenwriters.