Customer Reviews

How to Write It, How to Sell It: Everything a Screenwriter Needs to Know About Hollywood

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After reading "How to Write it, How to Sell It" by Linda Palmer and applying what I learned from her teachings, the first producer who read my very first screenplay wants to produce it. I owe it all to Linda Palmer. This book takes you through the craft of format, the art of writing, how to pitch your story, some about the business side of show business, and then sends you confidently to your keyboard.

Okay, I admit that I read it as required reading for my screenwriting class at UCLA, but now this book has become my bible. If you don't read anything else, use Chapter 4 as a checklist  before you think a script is ready to go out. I read it before my scripts got submitted to my instructors (and I have earned all "A''s so far!)

As a published author, making the transition to screenwriting, I have no doubt that Palmer's book is destined to become the "Bible for Film Students" everywhere. It's all here-- the nuts & bolts of formatting, insightful discussions about "good dialogue vs. bad dialogue," character development in relation to story, and my favorite-- popular misconceptions about "Structure." (Palmer, who makes her living as a screenwriter & script doctor, and who knows the industry, inside and out, has total disdain for the formulaic "paint-by-the numbers" writing techniques, fostered by typical Screenwriting books. I know (groan)-- I've read them all-- written by "writers," who (a)purport to teach writing, and (b)have never sold a single screenplay. Not even one. Guess why.

This book is a good introduction to screenwriting and certainly contains sound information. Let me say that first - you will learn from this book, and eventually it should be in your collection. The rating of 3 stars comes from an almost complete lack of organization in the book. Palmer tends to jump around from subject to subject, and the worst part is, there's NO INDEX! Sure, you'll learn how and when to use "your" and "you're," or "its" and "it's" (which Palmer overdoes throughout the book as an attempted joke), but why do I capitalize only certain words in the screenplay? How do I superimpose words on the screen? The book is silent on practical info such as this, and if it IS in there, it's hard to find because of the lack of organization. For the price, you can get much better books, such as "Writing Screenplays That Sell" by Michael Hauge. It's unfortunate, because Palmer is obviously talented and has much to say. It's just that the book needs a little more of that germane information and it definitely needs an INDEX.

With all the books out there on screenwriting, Palmer's book shines from the pinnacle. It's direct, it's voice is genuine, it's useful. What makes it truly unique is Palmer's experience and insight from both sides of the production fence: she's a writer and knows writers' dilemmas with scripts, she's been an executive and knows how those scripts are perceived from the "other side of the desk." Perhaps this breadth of experience is what makes this more than a handbook; it's got savvy, and it's got heart.

I've spent a number of years trying to write a script worth buying. Reading "How to Write it, How to sell it" would have saved me a lot of wasted years. Ms. Palmer sure seems to know what she's talking about! Her step-by-step method makes script writing almost easy! (I did say almost). I went out and bought 5 more copies to give to my friends who are always saying they should write a movie script. I hand them the book and say "Do it!"

For most of us who are not natural geniuses (or the offspring of a major director/producer/star/agent), learning the craft of screenwriting requires determination, resilience, and, most of all, guidance from someone who REALLY knows the entertainment industry, the art of storytelling, craft of screenwriting and the game of getting your stuff read, considered and accepted for production.

For expert guidance, look to LINDA PALMER. She is an exceptionally gifted and generous teacher in a business where those who have tasted true success are rarely willing to share their secrets. If you are fortunate enough to live in Los Angeles, enroll in her UCLA Extension writing course...it will be the best investment you ever make in your writing career. If not, then move to LA for the sole purpose of taking her class. If you cant do that, you are still in luck, since her book does an excellent job of capturing the essence of her live classes.

OK, now lets get a few things straight. Some customer reviews of this book have said that it is not well organized (lacks an index). Others have said Linda talks about herself a lot. Others have said the book doesnt cover minute stylistic details like punctuation and text on the screen. None of these criticisms should dissuade you from purchasing and reading this book.

I didnt have a problem with the organization. The table of contents is perfectly adequate to tell you what she's talking about, and this book is so excellent and informative you should read it carefully from cover to cover anyway. Linda does refer to her personal experiences a lot, but that is one of the great strengths of the book, since unlike many authors on the subject, she has a full breadth of personal experience that is of value to any young writer. Linda also avoids getting bogged down in the fine formatting minutia because the main emphasis of the book is about storytelling and character development. If you want to learn screenplay formatting minutia, then perhaps you need another book, but Linda covers all of the important basics of screenplay format and encourages writers to focus on crafting a good story with good characters. As Linda would say, story and characters is what gets you in the door, and that's what counts.

She uses hundreds of excellent examples of past movies, storylines and characters in covering the elements of screenwriting, essentially saving you hundreds of hours of trying to figure this stuff out on your own.

She also has excellent advice on how to pitch your story and other facts about the business.

Buy the book. Read it. Linda Palmer gives you the tools for success. The rest is up to you.

Linda Palmer's book, "How to Write It, How to Sell It," is an absolute gem! She obviously understands the movie business from both the perspecitve of a development executive (who bought scripts for TriStar) and as a successful screenwriter. Linda covers everything from the proper screenplay format (indispensible), to character and structure. Her's is the best approach to building real characters that I've seen anywhere. By using examples from films, Linda makes the information in this book come alive. In addition, this book presents a clear method for marketing a screenplay. She not only covers how to write an effective query letter, but also what to do at meetings. I highly recommend "How to Write It, How to Sell It" to anyone who interested in becoming a professional screenwriter.

Linda Palmer's book, "How to Write It, How to Sell It," is an absolute gem! She obviously understands the movie business from both the perspecitve of a development executive (who bought scripts for TriStar) and as a successful screenwriter. Linda covers everything from the proper screenplay format (indispensible), to character and structure. Her's is the best approach to building real characters that I've seen anywhere. By using examples from films, Linda makes the information in this book come alive. In addition, this book presents a clear method for marketing a screenplay. She not only covers how to write an effective query letter, but also what to do in meetings. I highly recommend "How to Write It, How to Sell It" to anyone who interested in becoming a professional screenwriter.

This is the best book on screenwriting that I've ever read. Ira Fistell, national radio comentator.