Barnes & NobleSave the Cat!- The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need by Blake Snyder

Lots of good advice, but sometimes a bit dated

There is a lot of good writing advice in this book, and not just for screenwriters. Much of it also translates to novel writing and short story writing, though clearly there are differences. Blake Snyder knows what works, and lays it all out in an easy-to-follow formula. It is a bit dated though--and I don't just mean the references to checking movie listings in the newspapers or going to Blockbuster to rent past hits (those made me chuckle). The focus on writing something that will be a "Box Office Hit" was very relevant when written in 2005, but failed to anticipate the streaming revolution; there is still something to be said for this focus, but it's clearly not everything anymore. That leads me to my only other criticism--Blake Snyder is at times openly contemptuous of art-house films, the kind of movies that might win awards but never make any money at the box office. For one thing, these are the kinds of movies that really intrigue me, more than the "BO hits." And again, I think the streaming revolution of the past decade has changed this, making it easier for low-budget art-house films to turn a profit. This is definitely a great resource for screenwriters, and a good resource for other writers. But as with every writing advice book, take some of the advice with a grain of salt.