Style and the Principles of Screenwriting

This book is jam-packed with solid info on properly structuring your stories. For those concerned with compromising their creativity through formula, Mr. McKee addresses you too.

Before I read this, I was stuck on what my characters would do next, and where my plot would go. Based on what I'd already written, McKee's structural examples were a compass for the direction of my story. As the man himself says, form, not formula. Every writer chooses a structure, even if that structure is "anti-structure". Don't make the choice by defaulting in ignorance. Even art house, indies, and minimalists can benefit from this one!

McKee is well known in the film industry and teaches an esteemed workshop in the art of screenwriting. This book reflects much of his philosophy, and is definitely worthwhile for those looking to learn the craft. "Story" is a bit more theoretical and less nuts-and-bolts than other guides, such as "Screenwriting" by Syd Field. McKee concentrates less on how to properly format and exact page numbers and margins, etc., in favor of just what the title suggests; how to shape a compelling story that fits within the scope of the medium without being clichéd. He sometimes makes it sound like brain surgery, but for the most part a read of this text makes it easy to understand why pros and amateurs alike sign up for his classes.

It's probably the best book on screenwriting I've ever read, but I almost didn't make it past the first chapter, which came across as a potifical rant about the generally poor quality of writing at the time the book was written. It was a complete turn-off for me, but I stuck with it, and in retrospect, I'm glad I did. Around Chapter three, when McKee really gets down to business, he dishes out pure gold.

This book isn't a 'structure book' in the same vein as 'Save the Cat' or 'The Writer's Journey'. McKee talks about structure, but a far less rigid structure than the sort espoused by Blake Snyder or Christopher Vogler. And McKee isn't another Joseph Campbell acolyte--he teaches a method of story analysis and construction that goes far beyond The hero's Journey.

Once McKee gets going, he's very readable, and his principles can be applied to any of the story-construction frameworks that dominate this genre. Because The book really teaches one thing--how to create and sustain dramatic tension, without lapsing into melodrama. I'd recommend it as a key resource for any student of screenwriting.

Our college daughter left this note for us:
"Thank you so much for STORY. I have only read the introduction and part of Chapter 1 but it is sooo good! Thank you so much. It is a book that will be well read throughout many years." RLB

I've purchased several books on writing and several more on writing stories. This is one of the best books on story writing I have read. It offers real techniques that you can use immediately.

The author also takes some time in making a point. Don't remember if it was the 3rd or 4th chapter, but he goes on for nearly 20 pages before finally stating the point and making the connection. Still the best book on story writing I've found.

Enjoy it.

By far the best book about the crafting of stories. McKee provides insights into story development that I haven't found in any other volume on screenwriting. Helped me immensely to be able to recognize viable plot lines, and understand why some stories just don't work. This is not a book for the beginning writer; it doesn't deal with such 101 stuff as script formatting. Rather, it's a higher level text for writers who have some knowledge of the craft. I go back again and again to this book.

McKee breaks down the elements of screenplay creation with wit, brevity, and clarity, using well-known films to illustrate his oh-so-salient points. Anyone who writes -- whether it's fiction, non-fiction, genre fiction, or screenplays -- is sure to benefit from his thoughtful analysis of the key ingredients that result in a "good story well told."

McKee breaks story down to it's component parts and builds it up again in a way that understanding of story structure will thereafter live in the writer's bones. If you haven't read this book, don't try to write a screenplay.

There just isn't a better, more inspirational book on the market for the basics of writing any kind of story---screenwriting, novel, any version of storytelling. This book helps you get your priorities sorted out, clear the muck out, get down to the real business of writing with intent--without having to wade through page after page of theory. He just tells you what you need to know, and off you can go. Sometimes, with writing, it is so easy to get lost while wandering... searching for one's soul, searching for advice, searching for one's "voice", etc.... just buy this book, sit down and read it, as much as you can in one sitting, and stop wandering and wondering and get back to work! This book will get you writing.

Do yourself a favor, read the Book before you take his Seminar.
If you can attend one of Bob's seminars do it, it's worth it.
If you can't this year, get his book and digest it. That means, highlighters, and marking it up. It does you no good sitting on your bookshelf. Who knows, you might end up at the Oscar's because of Bob's book.

Mckee has gathered most of the world's knowledge of story and laid it out on paper, nice and neat. This a truly comprehensive guide through the stuff that is story. You will be left wanting more details on occasion, but no other book assembles such a vast amount of truth in story. You could argue that none of this is original thought, and maybe it's not but it is the encyclopedia of crafting tales. Buy it, keep it, refer to it, and write better! Plain and simple.

This is a masterpiece in and of itself. The concepts that are introduced from cover to cover are overwhelming. I think almost the entire book went right over my head during the first read. However, I was determined to learn them because I knew there was a higher intelligence trying to tell me something here, so I read it through a second time, and, wow! Everything just clicked during the second read. I suddenly became a subject matter expert on not just writing screenplays, but anything that involved story... these concepts apply to the very fabric of our being. He doesn't tell you how to write a screenplay. He tells you how to write a story, which is something we probably all think we know how to do, but until I read this I can honestly say I didn't have a clue. Every page in here is packed with a deep understanding that coincides with Aristotle's writing "Poetics". Screenwriters, be warned, this doesn't tell you how to format your pages or anything like that... I think there's like one page in there on that kind of thing... it's an in-depth study on how the core story is the principle of screenwriting, and if you stay true to the story, the style, structure, and substance all just kind of come along with it.

I've read most of the "important" screenwriting books, but found McKee's to be the most insightful about what I - and I think many others - view as the most important aspect of a film (and often lost or ignored in so much crap coming out of Hollywood these days) - the STORY. This is a really good read.

This is an invaluable book for every aspiring screenwriter. It is certainly the best material on the subject that I've encountered. Mr. McKee manages to both educate and inspire, a feat very few tutors can accomplish. The extensive use of past and contemporary films to help with illustration was particularly useful. His style is very practical, unambiguous and not overly academic and this to me was very refreshing. After reading the book three times I joined his video blog - [...] - and so far I am extremely satisfied.

Very sound exposition of story writing in general and screenwriting in particular. Lots of good examples and detailed analyses.
Quite tedious to read - it is really a textbook - and somewhat demanding with lots of big words and foreign language quotes. If you have a poor vocabulary and the concentration span of a gnat, give this one a miss.
Useful to anyone building stories, or evaluating them, or even consumers of books or movies. Good as background for the after movie discusion in the cafe.
Likely to be unpopular with many as it questions many received truths and conforting assumptions.
Highly recommended.

I thought this book was superbly written, and that it had excellent content. I'm not even in the movie business, and I loved reading this book.

I was struck by how many of the principles of good screenplay writing also applied to leading an exciting life yourself – without your own character having clear wants and goals, risking something important, overcoming conflicts, and achieving some sort of resolution to your wants and goals, your life can seem to be like a pretty dull real-life movie.

I would recommend this book to anyone who can read, and whoever watches movies. It's a very educational book, and easy to read.