How to Write a Movie in 21 Days - The Inner Movie Method

For anyone trying their hand at screen writing for the first time this is a great place to start. A simple, easy-to-understand guide to help anyone start the daunting task of turning a blank page into their first screen play. Knowing how and where to start can be the most difficult part of writing any format but with this daily guide pushing a reader through the process it makes everything a lot easier.

...at least not one that's actually sellable, or that has enough depth and craftsmanship to survive in the real-world marketplace. To think otherwise is to be laughably naive. Having said that, I strongly recommend this book!
Why the discrepancy? Simple. I've been writing for years, off and on. I've read dozens of screenwriting books, and taken a few of the big screenwriting courses. I've started writing about 50 screenplays, and completed about 3 of them.
One of the troubles I had (sound familiar?), is that I would begin writing, get about 30 or 40 pages into it, and then stop. Either I went off-course, I began to hate my concept or characters, thought my writing was atrocious, or came up with "a better idea." The result? Dozens of half-completed screenplays.
A writer writes. And writing is re-writing. You'll never fully appreciate these clichés until you ACTUALLY SIT DOWN AND WRITE! And don't stop!
The script I wrote when I actually APPLIED this book (about 2 years after I bought it) was written in about 48 days. Hmmph! But you know what? It was WRITTEN. It was complete. It was my first, fully-completed screenplay. And it was actually pretty darn good.
Truth be told, when you finish writing the script Viki King helps you get out on paper, it will likely be only a FIRST DRAFT. Chances are, there'll be a lot more work to do. Re-writing. Making it more organic. Adding depth and breadth to your characters. Expanding your subplots and building elements necessary to your story that Viki's book overlooks (things experience will teach you). But if you've never written a screenplay before (or never completed one you like), this book will talk you through it. And it will give you the basic tools needed to actually complete it. Because before you can re-write, hone, and perfect... you need to get it on paper in the first place!
Make no mistake about it. If you buy into the idea that you'll get this book and have a sellable screenplay a month later, you'll be disappointed. You're not a writer. You're a get-rich-quick wishful thinker. Writing screenplays is a tough business, let alone a difficult process. It just doesn't happen overnight.
The power and beauty of this book is its ability (if you actually FOLLOW it) to help you get through the battle that happens inside, when you sit down to write. It will get your script on paper. It will make you a writer. The quality of your writing gets better with experience. Applying the principles of this book will give you that experience.
Also: Others have accused this book of being "spiritual". It's not. It's motivational, it's inspirational, it's conversational. Just what a first-time or would-be writer needs to overcome his battle with himself.
Some people talk. Other people act. Those who act will get value out of this book.
As I write this review, the script I wrote (in, umm, 48 days) is currently in post-production. And the script I'm working on now is even better.
It's a process. And this is a wonderful first step. A wonderful tool to help you through the self-imposed barriers to succeeding at this craft.

The great thing about this book is that the author gets you started writing immediately. One word to define this book which makes it stand out among others - "participation". In 21 days, you will have not only some great advice and insight into how to develop your story, but you will have created your script. I like the way the author breaks the process into small, manageable, parts which are put into actual time elements. The only thing left out is the assumption that the reader is familiar with script format. But that should not keep anyone from reading this great book. It really makes writing a script enjoyable and less complex. Thank you, Viki King!

I am a working screenwriter, and this is the only screenwriting book I recommend. Why? Most of the screenwriting books out there are very useful - for rewriting. This book actually gets you to complete the first draft - a huge hurdle for beginning writers. You probably won't finish in 21 days, and the draft you write probably won't be very good. But that doesn't matter, because you will finish a draft, and then you can rewrite it and make it good.

I still use this book to clarify my thinking, or if I'm on a tight deadline.

Viki King does a stellar job of demystifying the process of writing a good script. This book is extremely well-written and helpful to writers of all levels. Ms. King deserves more credit than she gets.

Years ago when I first became interested in screenwriting I walked in a small bookstore in town and picked up this book. This happen to have been quite some time ago, like I said. Since then I have written several spec scripts and for them to be worth anything, I needed to have taken serious time developing the arc for the story and the protagonist. This time surpassed 21 days, I wrote the first draft, rewrote several drafts then ended in a final draft. This all took several months.

It might be possible to get your "Vomit Draft" out in 21 days but a "Final Draft" is quite unrealistic. Everyone has their own way of developing and writing their stories. Some have outlines, some jump right into the software package Final Draft and write the script. Everyone is different, either way it's a process that takes longer than 21 days.

At best, in my opinion, this book a fun look at screenwriting for a beginner or that novice who wants a guide for that first attempt at writing a script.

It's not a bad buy, but I could find other books that I would place in front of this one.

A great book for novice screenwriters looking to finish a script quickly and professionally. Also a great confidence and self-esteem builder. Essential to the beginning screenwriter. Also includes helpful hints about rewrites

I used Viki's book in writing my second screenplay. It made a huge difference - my structure was tighter and my images were clearer. It's hard to get writer's block when you have Viki King with you every step of the way.

Unlike most sreenwriting books, this one seems to speak directly to the reader and keep their interst by influencing the writer to keep on writing instead of discouraging them with reality checks like most writers tend to do. Viki King has the abiltiy to inspire the writer in all of us helping them to work through the road blocks.

This book is the perfect guide to not just screen writing, but also writing in general. In contains exercises of finding and getting to know your characters. The 21 days are well planned and will keep you busy. It's helped me create a realistic plot with realistic characters.

This author actually believes that she can tell you all about your life just by what age you are and she can predict what kind of story you will write, just by knowing your age. Wrong! There is also an entire section telling to basically quit your job, ignore your loved ones and devote yourself fully to becoming a millionare writing in Hollywood (which in reality, most of you will never make a penny doing). This book is entirely unrealistic, but not because of the premise of the title.

What I do like about this book is she pushes you to quit procrastinating, gives good writing exercises, and gives you your basic outline without being too specific. Not really the book I was looking for.

This book is okay. I've actually written 2 screenplays in less than 21 days, but I ended up revising them over and over again until I felt confident enough to even register both with the WGA. I'm glad I didn't buy this book new - got it for just a few dollars at a used bookstore. I find How Not To Write A Screenplay more worthwhile.