8 of the best non-screenwriting books to help you become a screenwriter.
When most aspiring screenwriters decide to pick up a book that will help them get into the industry, it’s usually a screenwriting book. (You can read our picks of the best screenwriting books here.)
but you are not “most” screenwriter.
you are a writer Think outside the box (Otherwise you wouldn’t be on this page 🙂
Learning how to write is one thing, but what about all of that? other factors How does this affect whether we become successful writers?
things like that Fear fail, productive forces, creativity, motivationthis self, pressure, sleep, inspiration etc.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best non-screenwriting books to help you get into the industry. These eight books are actually changed people’s lives.
It’s possible they’ll change yours, too.
[Full disclosure: this post contains affiliate links, meaning if you purchase a book we will get a small commission at zero extra cost to you.]
1. Miracle Morning: 6 Habits to Change Your Life Before 8 AM Author: Hal Elrod.
favorite quotes. “If a person isn’t achieving the level of success they want—no matter what field—they simply haven’t committed to developing the habits necessary to create the results they want.”
What is thinness? Learn how to wake up like Christmas every morning instead of waking up tired, sleepy, and stressed. This is achieved through mastery Six Key Habits Follow it every morning to feel more energized, focused and motivated throughout the day.
How do I apply this to screenwriting? If you have trouble finding time to write (and who doesn’t?), this book will help you find it. It will do the same if you’re having trouble finding the motivation to write. This is a truly inspiring read about how to get more of what you want out of life.
2. The art of non-conformism: Make your own rules and live the life you want Author: Chris Guillebeau.
favorite quotes. “The toughest obstacles most of us have to overcome are the direct result of our own fears and insecurities.”
What is thinness? Forget what society, customs, family, friends, etc. expect from you and carve out a life path of their choosing. you. Redefine what’s important, what your goals are, and set out to achieve them (while making the world a better place).
How do I apply this to screenwriting? Let’s put it this way, “I want to be a screenwriter” is not what most parents, spouses, or friends want to hear from their loved ones. The great thing about this book is that it will give you the confidence to commit to writing, and its “helping others” approach will prove invaluable when building your network.
3. One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results Authors: Gary Keller and Jay Papasan.
favorite quotes. “The Pareto Principle points us in a very clear direction: Most of what you want will come from the few things you do.”
What is thinness? Life can often feel like every day is filled with emails, text messages, work, childcare, cooking, etc., leaving little time to accomplish the things we really want to do. But it’s not necessary. This book will teach you how to focus on the one thing that matters most to you, instead of other pursuits.
How do I apply this to screenwriting? As an aspiring screenwriter, this book will teach you some valuable lessons on how to be more focused, more productive, and build momentum toward your goal of entering the film industry.
4. So, you’re a creative genius…now what? By Culkin.
favorite quotes. “I can tell you with 100 percent sincerity: moving to Los Angeles was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
What is thinness? It’s a shaky but brilliant crash course on how to make a living as a creative, covering everything from the Creative Career Process to the How and Why to Build Your Spaceship (Workspace). .
How do I apply this to screenwriting? Similar to Chris Guillebeau’s book The Art of Nonconformism, there’s a lot of good advice here on how to be a freelance creative and how to carve out your own space as a screenwriter.
5. think and grow rich Napoleon Hill.
favorite quotes. “Indeed, when thoughts are combined with purpose, perseverance, and a strong desire to transform them into wealth or other material things, thoughts are things, and powerful things at that.”
What is thinness? First published in 1937, this book is the authoritative guide to using the power of visualization and thought to rise to the ranks of ultra-successful people. It’s focused on making money, but at its core it’s about changing your mindset to achieve everything you want in life.
How do I apply this to screenwriting? You may have heard that Jim Carrey wrote himself a $10 million check in 1987 that said “For Performing Services” and dated Thanksgiving 1995? Then imagine this happened for many years until you received a check in 1994 Dumb and Dumb? That’s pure Hill.
6. Art Wars: Break through barriers and win your inner creative battle Author: Steven Pressfield.
favorite quotes. “Casting yourself as a victim is antithetical to doing a good job. Don’t do it. If you do it, stop.
What is thinness? As Pressfield said, “We don’t tell ourselves, ‘I’m never going to write my symphony.'” Instead, we say, ‘I’m going to write my symphony; I’m going to start tomorrow.’ That’s what this book will help you overcome.
How do I apply this to screenwriting? What writer hasn’t experienced procrastination, writer’s block, fear, and self-doubt? This book is essential reading for every screenwriter who wants to overcome their inner demons (called “resistance”) in order to pursue what you truly know you should pursue in life.
7. Spark: The revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain Author: John J. Retty.
favorite quotes. “Why care about how your brain is working? For one thing, it’s running everything.
What is thinness? We all know the benefits of exercise. We should probably all be doing more. The problem is, unless you’re a fitness enthusiast, exercise can be a difficult habit to stick to. However, this book makes things easier by explaining that it’s not only good for your heart and muscles, but can actually reshape your brain for optimal performance.
How do I apply this to screenwriting? Since screenwriting is one of the most intensive and mentally demanding activities one can do, it makes sense to make sure your brain is in top shape. As Ratti explains, this can be achieved with just the occasional sweat.
8. The power of now By Eckhart Tolle.
favorite quotes. “Problems are created by the mind and take time to survive. There is no way to survive in the present reality. Focus your attention on the present moment and tell me what problem you have right now.
What is thinness? Given that The Power of Now has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold over 2 million copies worldwide, there’s a good chance you already own a copy. If you don’t, this might be the ultimate book about personal growth and defeating our worst enemy, the mind.
How do I apply this to screenwriting? Learn how to calm the mind—stopping it from jumping backward into the past or forward into the future—and find peace in the present moment when you sit down to write and transcend.
Best Non-Screenwriter Books Conclusion.
It’s a cliché now, but you’re not a writer until you write. every day.
However, being able to write every day also means being in a the right mentality. We all know how difficult it is to write when other things in life are not going so well.
With that in mind, we hope that the books we’ve outlined in this article will indirectly help your writing career in the following ways: increase your creativity, motivation and inspiration. We believe that all of these are very important elements for any aspiring writer.
Let us know which non-screenwriter books you think should be on the list in the comments section below.
