Now Write! Screenwriting by Sherry Ellis Summary

Now Write! Screenwriting is a practical guide featuring screenwriting exercises from acclaimed writers of films like Raging Bull, Groundhog Day, and TV shows like Lost. It focuses on character development, authentic dialogue, and plot structure through actionable techniques from industry professionals. The book emphasizes learning through hands-on prompts rather than theoretical advice.

Aspiring and experienced screenwriters seeking actionable advice will benefit most. The book’s exercises cater to writers struggling with character depth, dialogue, or creative blocks. Educators teaching screenwriting can also use it as a curriculum resource due to its structured, expert-driven approach.

Yes, with a 4.10/5 average rating, reviewers praise its practical exercises and insights from award-winning screenwriters. It’s particularly valued for its diversity of techniques, such as overcoming writer’s block and crafting subtext-rich dialogue, making it a staple for writers at any stage.

Key techniques include:

• Character development via biographies and metaphorical relationships.
• Dialogue crafting using subtext and nonverbal cues.
• Plot refinement by focusing on character goals over forced twists.
  Contributors like Danny Rubin (Groundhog Day) and Karey Kirkpatrick (Chicken Run) provide tailored methods for emotional storytelling.

The book offers exercises to silence self-criticism, such as Kim Krizan’s (Before Sunrise) “stream-of-consciousness” writing method. Stephen Rivele (Ali) suggests breaking ideas into basic elements to reignite creativity, while Christina Kim (Lost) advocates exploring unfamiliar themes.

Contributors include:

• Danny Rubin (Groundhog Day) on character-driven plots.
• Christina Kim (Lost) on writing outside your experience.
• Karey Kirkpatrick (Chicken Run) on emotional symbolism.
• Stephen Rivele (Ali) on simplifying complex ideas.

It teaches writers to avoid “on-the-nose” dialogue by emphasizing subtext, rhythm, and nonverbal actions. For example, Kim Krizan recommends capturing natural speech patterns, while others stress using silence or gestures to convey tension.

Unlike single-author guides, it compiles exercises from 30+ professionals across genres, offering diverse perspectives on storytelling. This anthology-style approach provides actionable steps for crafting commercially successful and critically acclaimed scripts.

While praised for its practicality, some note occasional repetition in exercises. However, most reviewers find the variety of contributors offsets this, as different teaching styles cater to varied learning preferences.

Yes, contributors like Christina Kim (Lost) and writers from True Blood include TV-focused methods. The book addresses serialized storytelling, character arcs across episodes, and dialogue pacing for episodic formats.

While not a revision-specific guide, its exercises on character动机 and dialogue polishing aid script refinement. For example, Karey Kirkpatrick’s tips on emotional symbolism help writers tighten scenes during edits.

Now Write! focuses on exercises over structural formulas, making it ideal for writers seeking creativity tools rather than rigid frameworks. It complements guides like Save the Cat by adding character depth and dialogue nuance to plot-driven outlines.