Straczynski's book is overwhelmingly comprehensive, and looks at every angle of scriptwriting. Look, no one can teach innovation or individuality: as a teenager I remember being thoroughly disgusted with every scriptwriting book I devoured, because they all focussed on becoming a freelance "Law & Order" writer; offering advice on churning out formulaic scripts, and how to fit your thoughts into existing characters and pre-packaged situations. In retrospect, I acknowledge that a) being a scriptwriter is likely to involve some of this just as any job involves taking what you can get, and b) you need to learn the basics to innovate.

Straczynski goes far beyond the call of duty here, though, delivering a guide written with clarity and intelligence, which will remind you that learning the art is just the first step in being your own writer. Highly recommended. ( )

writing and selling

I’ve read this book cover-to-cover twice (two different editions) and re-read sections as needed. There is a reason it is the gold standard and often picked as a textbook in writing schools.

I’m not saying I don’t want screenwriting software, for the many features it can provide, but the formatting is not one of them, You can read this book and easily format your screenplay like a professional. It explains the basic structure between the various types of plays. It gives wonderful insight into the industry from a successful writer and mentor. His stories will entice and sometimes scare you just a tad.

I’m not going to list his credentials -most are on IMDB- but, if you have any question, watch The Changeling starring Angelina Jolie. It is not necessarily his best work, but it is structured and detailed properly... and the story of its becoming shows what a storyteller he is: a friend tipped him off that archive records of this event were about to be destroyed and lost forever (archives do have to cull material regularly) and, finding this true story, he knew this story had to be retold and remembered... and he’s right. Learn from a man who understands the importance of the stories we tell each other, yet manages to navigate the bizarre business that is the Entertainment Industry. ( )

This is a must have book for anyone interested in writing. Straczynski gives you a detailed look into the creation and formatting structure of various types of writing mediums (i.e. screenplay, television, radio, stage play...)

There is also a completed television script at the end of the book, so you can see what a formatted script looks like. ( )