Books

I have read pretty much every book on writing/screen writing/ sitcom writing there is.

I fully recognise I used this as a displacement tactic - if I was reading about writing, I was still sort of involved in writing, without actually writing.

I am now actually writing, and feeling much happier for it.

I am starting to consider whether these books have made me a better writer. I know a lot of theory. But putting it into practice is a different story.

However, I do think they have helped me avoid the more obvious traps.

Any views? Are how-to books useful or not?

I never much liked the how-to books, but I used to devour interview books with screenwriters and film directors. Most of them American. I've probably read them all.

I found them stimulating, but it's hard to say precisely how much/what I learned from them.

The main reason for reading them is to learn the terminology which will doubtless be thrown back at you by producers - so when they bang on about arcs and Act II mid-points etc etc a) you have some idea what they're talking about and b) you can tell them they're wrong in a language they understand.

Some of the more esoteric theory books can be quite engaging, especially if they use real screenplays as examples and, as it's something you're interested in anyway (or should be) reading about it seems pretty natural.

But if you use them as templates you will undoubtedly end up with shite.
T he only (screenplay) one I'd recommend in the How-To department would be Syd Field's "The Screenwriters Problem Solver" which can be handy if, after completing it, you can't quite pin down what's wrong with your screenplay

I've read the Syd Field books - the original screenwriting guru. I am sadly far too cowardly to tackle a full screenplay yet - but may look to doing one in the future.

I quite enjoyed McKee's 'Story' as well.

I'm not sure if I agree that you will inevitably end up with shite if you use the templates. Of course, if you stick slavishly to one particular structure you will end up with something not very original.

But I have found some suggested plot templates quite helpful. For example, Sheldon Bull plots like this:

Goal / Problem (depending on whether protagonist is pro or reactive)

Obstacle

First unwise attempt at solution

Midpoint - attempt backfires, protag further from goal than when they first began.

Second goal (first goal in revised form due to to backfiring solution)

Second unwise attempt at solution

Resolution.

Of course, that cannot work for all sitcoms. As a template, you have to be prepared to depart from it if the story requires it. But I do think that has helped me straighten the spine of my story.

Perhaps it has something to do with experience. I'm on sitcom script number 1. If I remember rightly, you are an experienced writer Lazzard. You probably do all this instinctively.

I still need someone to hold my hand while I learn to walk!

Quote: Jennie @ July 3 2013, 8:43 PM BST

, you have to be prepared to depart from it if the story requires it. But I do think that has helped me straighten the spine of my story.

View original

This is the point.
These methods are better used as analytical tools rather than ways of coming up with stories.

You don't need to understand plumbing to run a bath.
Unless, that is, the water stops coming out of the tap.

Sell enough scripts and call a plumber. Have you learnt nothing Lazzard from these manuals?? tsp!

So, that's where I'm going wrong...

I considered becoming a plumber for a while. Then I realised I would have to deal with other people's shit. So I became a lawyer.

The difference being?

Quote: Teddy Paddalack @ July 4 2013, 12:23 PM BST

The difference being?

View original

Just buy my books Lazzard it won;t help your writing but it will help mine

Especially if you start using apostrophes instead of semicolons.

I have flunkeys for typos Teddy.

I have to do everything myself I'm afraid, but it must be nice to be able to shirk the blame.

Absolutely