READING About WRITING

Typically I avoid books with the phrase "101 common..." or "101 things that..." or "101 ways to...", you get the picture. I even avoid tomes with the word "dummy" in the title---not because I'm NOT a complete idiot at times, but I guess that I'm not into negative reinforcement (every time I see the cover...well, I'm a dummy).

But then, I saw this one and read the reviews. As an inexperienced screenwriter (I qualify for "dummy" status), I could definitely use at least 100 tips, and maybe even 1 more of things to avoid. I ordered How Not to Write a Screenplay: 101 Common Mistakes Most Screenwriters Make, by Denny Martin Flinn.  Guess what? You guessed it---I made and was making many of those dreaded 101 mistakes.

I like what Flinn states. He doesn't promise a magic pill that you can swallow and then write incredible screenplays, instead he makes the pledge that if you follow his plan ""you may not write a particularly good screenplay, but you won't write a bad one."

One of the more helpful pitfalls he ADAMANTLY cautions against, is the desire to be an armchair director. That is, resist the temptation to be both screenwriter AND director, by dictating camera angles, camera motions, and even acting styles (through parentheticals).

He has a very helpful section using real Hollywood scripts, and illustrating best and worst practices. It is an easy, fun read, packed with just over 100 things to look out for. I'm sure if he read my scripts, he could write a revised edition called 256 Common Mistakes Randy McWilson Made.

To order this book on Amazon, CLICK HERE.

For more about the author Denny Martin Flinn, CLICK HERE.

Denny Martin Flinn's IMDB page CLICK HERE