since 2000
| September | Not much |
|---|---|
| October | Not much |
| closed 05-15 October | |
| November | Some |
This is the site’s first major overhaul in nearly 10 years. Please tell me what you think - ideally with a note of the browser you are using [Internet Explorer (with version), Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, handheld or other]
(And if you don’t classify books as fun that’s OK - I’ve read them for you!)
Recommend others?
email me
Ranging from good to excellent - no duffers here...
Methuen 1999 466pp
ISBN 0 413 71560 4
UK cover price £12.99 (paperback)
If you only read one book on the subject make it this one. Gets to the heart of storytelling. Well structured. Crystal clear. Engaging. Lots of examples. Advice you can follow. Repays thoughtful study. Ace!
Bloomsbury 2000 485pp
ISBN 0 7475 4977 X
UK cover price £16.99 (hardback)
If you only read two books, make this the other one! An autobiography rather than a how-to, this one shows the writer’s life from the inside. With attitude. And a compelling style. Particularly fine is the last section, which presents then critiques an original screenplay.
*Goldman wrote All The President’s Men, Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid and others you’d’ve heard of.
Abacus 1984 418pp
ISBN 0 349 10705 X
UK cover price £9.99 (paperback)
If you read Which Lie Did I Tell? (above), you’ll want more. This (earlier) book is also a fine read.
Teach Yourself 1996 250pp
ISBN 0 340 60378 X
UK cover price £7.99 (paperback)
I know the TY series is short on street cred, but this book makes a fine contribution by suggesting processes and methods for getting the writing done. Especially sound on the rewrite process. Also rare for its less US-centric approach. Eclipsed, however, by McKee (above) on conveying the heart of a story.
Silman-James 1998 314pp
ISBN 1 879505 44 4
US cover price $19.99 (paperback)
This book is the best I’ve seen on boring but important stuff like formatting and conventions. It also addresses other aspects, but I found it hard to learn from.
Hodder & Stoughton 2000 238pp
ISBN 0 340 76996 3
UK cover price £16.99 (hardback)
I’d never read any Stephen King before this - I’m just not attracted to horror - and I was unprepared for the humanity and humour. Not much about writing for the screen, but great insights into creating stories.
© Talespinner Ltd 2000-2010 e mark@talespinner.co.uk // m 07711 571719