The TV Writer's Workbook: A Creative Approach to Television Scripts

If you are serious about writing/producing for TV then this book is a must. What better way to get information from someone who has actually worked in the business and taken the journey many of us are currently forging. I found Ellen Sandler writer/producer of Taxi, Coach, Everybody Loves Raymond, and more to be honest and sincere in her description and advice on what it takes to become success writer/producer in the business. This book is a rich resource on how to write your first spec script and what qualities besides good writing one should possesses or develop to break through, what often times seems to be a brick wall of Hollywood studio, producers, agents, managers, ect. The content and tone is that of a workbook, however not in a traditional sense, but in a more subtle and simple way. Ellen gives a brief background about how she herself got into the business and then informs the writer of what they need to know about the spec script and how to read to write. She further goes into what you need to do to develop your story, how to make it come alive, and re-edit it until you cant anymore. In another part of the book she focuses on what you need to do when you have your spec script written and gives you sound advice with real world examples on how to break into the door. She offers up helpful tips on FAQ's such as should you move to LA?, the difference between producers and writers, pitching your ideas, dealing with agents/managers, potential salary figures, respecting the industry and business standards and more. Besides loving the content on writing, I loved the wealth of information contained in the book on such helpful topics as where to get scripts, industry jargon/terminology, bookstores and publication sources for writers, as well as a host of contact information for other beneficial advisors. Lastly, I love the humility with which this book concludes. Ellen acknowledges here successes and rightfully so, but advises the reader to keep searching and seeking out other advisors and not be afraid to listen to contradictory information, keeping in mind that in Hollywood there is not set path to success. As a publicist switching careers and having previously written spec scripts I love this book and highly recommend.

I rarely make a recommendation, but this book is the most helpful I have ever read on TV writing. It offers a very practical process that is like a key opening a door to your own creativity.

I've been using Ellen Sandler's book as a guide for the last few weeks, and I feel I've done much better work in that short time than I did all last year. The book is mainly geared towards sitcom writers, and for those interested in writing a comedy spec, this book is the one to get!

This is by far the BEST TV writing book I've ever read and I have nearly all of them. Sandler doesn't just tell you the steps necessary to write a fantastic spec script, like all these kinds of books do, she guides you through the creative process of mining story material for it. And she tells you how to fashion subject matter that has the most emotional meaning for you, the author--which is the benchmark of great writing. It was a concept that until now, that no matter how many books I read, or how many harsh notes from execs I received on all my previous specs (or so I thought, now I FULLY understand their notes!) that I didn't grasp until now. TV Writer's Workbook, has provided the creative lightbulb I needed to get me out of my sucky spec script darkness. Highly recommended!

But for the sake of those wondering if they should purchase this or not, I will try to find some. YES, YOU SHOULD BUY THIS! How is that? :) Putting aside the fact that Ellen has written for some of the best TV I've ever watched, I don't see how anyone couldn't benefit from the generous advice she offers in this guide and so inexpensively! Be warned though, this book is not one that you just read. I guess you could, but I would honestly recommend trying the things she suggests. I tried most of her exercises and the differences in my spec script definitely stood out. This book is priceless, in my opinion.