Best Books

Best Screenwriting Books for Screenwriters
Here is a list of the best books I’ve read as a Screenwriter. Not all of these books are Screenwriting Manuals, but they have all in some way enhanced my understanding of storytelling, creativity, the film business – or myself.
The Writer’s Journey – Chris Vogler
Vogler takes the mythological analysis of Joseph Campbell and applies it to the movies. In fact, the 12 Steps of the Hero’s Journey we use are from Vogler rather than Campbell. I studied under Chris at UCLA and reading his book was a turning point for me. Recognising the emotional spine of the story – rather than focusing on plot – completely altered my understanding of storytlling. If you only read one book on screenwriting, make it this one.
The Power of Myth – Joseph Campbell
When I was studying in LA and doing it a bit tough, reading this book was an absolute epiphany. It’s the transcript of a conversation between Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyes for a PBS series in the States, and it makes very clear why stories are so important to all cultures. You can’t really begin to write for your audiences until you understand what it is they’re seeking. Totally inspiring and life altering. A must-read.
Myth and the Movies – Stuart Voytilla
This is a companion book to Chris Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey. Voytilla is a disciple of Vogler and has analysed 50 of the great movies in terms of the Hero’s Journey. What you’ll find interesting is how the 12 steps aren’t used singularly or sequentially. Writers draw on these mythological building blocks wherever they feel it will enhance the story and deepen the emotional engagement. It’s a more polished, concise version of what I’ve tried to do with my Hero’s Journey Analyses.
The Hero with a Thousand Faces – Joseph Campbell
First published in 1948, the book provides the foundation for so much of contemporary understanding of story structure. Campbell literally went off into the woods, read myths from around the world, and concluded there was a monomyth that resonated for all cultures. It’s less accessible than Vogler and makes no mention of the movies, but it will expand your appreciation for the universality of this structure.
The Art of Dramatic Writing – Lajos Egri
This is a text recommended by almost all the best screenwriting teachers and it’s one I first read when I was studying at UCLA. It was written in 1942 and its focus is theatre but I think that it’s particularly helpful in getting you to understand the connection between theme and idea – how you use your characters and the story to explore the various dimensions of your premise. Highly recommended.
The Technique of Screen and Television Writing – Eugene Vale
This was first published more than 25 years ago and I’m not sure it’s that well known but it’s chapters on “Anticipation” and “Suspense” I found extremely useful – from page 168 in the first Touchstone Edition.
The Craft of the Screenwriter – John Brady
Features interviews with some of the greatest screenwriters in the film industry including Paddy Chayefsky (Network), William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), Ernest Lehman (The Sound of Music, North by Northwest), Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull), Neil Simon (The Goodbye Girl) and Robert Towne (Chinatown).
The New Screenwriter Looks at the New Screenwriter – William Froug
Features interviews with the screenwriters of more recent films including Dan O’Bannon (Alien), Ronald Bass (Rain Man), Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct), Diane Frolov (Northern Exposure)
The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron
Formerly married to Martin Scorsese, Julia is a screenwriter in her own right but she is better known for this manual for Recovering Creatives. She takes you through a 12 step process that helps you reconnect with your inner artist. Full of great quotes like this one from Joseph Chilton Pearce: “To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong”.
The Uses of Enchantment – Bruno Bettelheim
Bettelheim explains the psychological significance and importance of fairy tales to children. It enhances your understanding of the role of storytelling for the individual and society.
Story – Robert McKee
A lot of screenwriters swear by this book but I doesn’t resonate for me as much as the work of Campbell and Vogler. I find the language overly technical and his story paradigm isn’t nearly as helpful as the Hero’s Journey. However, it is a useful book to read and has some interesting things to say about the controlling idea and scene writing.
The Writer’s Idea Book – Jack Heffron
I came across this book when I was putting together my lesson on Movie Ideas. He takes you through the whole creative process from how to stretch your brain right through to giving shape to your idea. He provides 400 prompts to help kick start things. e.g. “Have a character espouse a viewpoint on life with which you very much disagree, but have the character argue it well, citing examples from her life to buttress her stance. Page 85. A great resource to have on hand when the juices are getting like the Murray-Darling.

Best Screenwriting Books for Screenwriters

Here is a list of the best books I’ve read as a Screenwriter. Not all of these books are Screenwriting Manuals, but they have all in some way enhanced my understanding of storytelling, creativity, the film business – or myself.

The Writer’s Journey – Chris Vogler

Vogler takes the mythological analysis of Joseph Campbell and applies it to the movies. In fact, the 12 Steps of the Hero’s Journey we use are from Vogler rather than Campbell. I studied under Chris at UCLA and reading his book was a turning point for me. Recognising the emotional spine of the story – rather than focusing on plot – completely altered my understanding of storytlling. If you only read one book on screenwriting, make it this one.

The Power of Myth – Joseph Campbell

When I was studying in LA and doing it a bit tough, reading this book was an absolute epiphany. It’s the transcript of a conversation between Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyes for a PBS series in the States, and it makes very clear why stories are so important to all cultures. You can’t really begin to write for your audiences until you understand what it is they’re seeking. Totally inspiring and life altering. A must-read.

Myth and the Movies – Stuart Voytilla

This is a companion book to Chris Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey. Voytilla is a disciple of Vogler and has analysed 50 of the great movies in terms of the Hero’s Journey. What you’ll find interesting is how the 12 steps aren’t used singularly or sequentially. Writers draw on these mythological building blocks wherever they feel it will enhance the story and deepen the emotional engagement. It’s a more polished, concise version of what I’ve tried to do with my Hero’s Journey Analyses.

The Hero with a Thousand Faces – Joseph Campbell

First published in 1948, the book provides the foundation for so much of contemporary understanding of story structure. Campbell literally went off into the woods, read myths from around the world, and concluded there was a monomyth that resonated for all cultures. It’s less accessible than Vogler and makes no mention of the movies, but it will expand your appreciation for the universality of this structure.

The Art of Dramatic Writing – Lajos Egri

This is a text recommended by almost all the best screenwriting teachers and it’s one I first read when I was studying at UCLA. It was written in 1942 and its focus is theatre but I think that it’s particularly helpful in getting you to understand the connection between theme and idea – how you use your characters and the story to explore the various dimensions of your premise. Highly recommended.

The Technique of Screen and Television Writing – Eugene Vale

This was first published more than 25 years ago and I’m not sure it’s that well known but it’s chapters on “Anticipation” and “Suspense” I found extremely useful – from page 168 in the first Touchstone Edition.

The Craft of the Screenwriter – John Brady

Features interviews with some of the greatest screenwriters in the film industry including Paddy Chayefsky (Network), William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), Ernest Lehman (The Sound of Music, North by Northwest), Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull), Neil Simon (The Goodbye Girl) and Robert Towne (Chinatown).

The New Screenwriter Looks at the New Screenwriter – William Froug

Features interviews with the screenwriters of more recent films including Dan O’Bannon (Alien), Ronald Bass (Rain Man), Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct), Diane Frolov (Northern Exposure)

The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron

Formerly married to Martin Scorsese, Julia is a screenwriter in her own right but she is better known for this manual for Recovering Creatives. She takes you through a 12 step process that helps you reconnect with your inner artist. Full of great quotes like this one from Joseph Chilton Pearce: “To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong”.

The Uses of Enchantment – Bruno Bettelheim

Bettelheim explains the psychological significance and importance of fairy tales to children. It enhances your understanding of the role of storytelling for the individual and society.

Story – Robert McKee

A lot of screenwriters swear by this book but I doesn’t resonate for me as much as the work of Campbell and Vogler. I find the language overly technical and his story paradigm isn’t nearly as helpful as the Hero’s Journey. However, it is a useful book to read and has some interesting things to say about the controlling idea and scene writing.

The Writer’s Idea Book – Jack Heffron

I came across this book when I was putting together my lesson on Movie Ideas. He takes you through the whole creative process from how to stretch your brain right through to giving shape to your idea. He provides 400 prompts to help kick start things. e.g. “Have a character espouse a viewpoint on life with which you very much disagree, but have the character argue it well, citing examples from her life to buttress her stance. Page 85. A great resource to have on hand when the juices are getting like the Murray-Darling.

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