Sunday, December 09, 2007

MM’s Book Announcement!

Hey guys,

I'd like to announce that I will be publishing right here on my blog the world’s first FREE SCREENWRITING BOOK!

I say it’s high bloody time we move away from this profit-driven classroom-style how-to industry led by self-proclaimed gurus who have never once written “FADE IN” in their lives and let writers debate the inexplicabilities of storytelling amongst fellow writers who are on the frontlines every day writing and studying the craft. Just as Radiohead changed the face of music with free downloads of their new CD, just as free internet porn sites have sent the porn industry into a freefall plunge, the truths of screenwriting shall also be free, shall set you free, shall open up the floodgates to what should be ongoing discussions about the craft, because we should grow together as a community by challenging each other, not pay to be taught by non-writers.

Okay, a few details. I don’t know when it’ll be ready, except to say sometime next year. I'll announce the title later along with a few other updates. This will not be the ultimate resource on screenwriting, but it will discuss many, many important topics for aspiring writers, which have not been adequately covered by the gurus, a sort of writer's eye viewpoint from one who's in the weeds and trenches every day. I'm also going to argue against a lot of ridiculous conventional wisdom (even about some of the most core principles), which I don't believe anyone has ever really done either. It’ll be stuffed with alternative, underground truths you haven’t heard anywhere else.

I’ve already written 4 or 5 chapters. Believe me when I tell you - it's spirited. Bill Donovan, the editor of Creative Screenwriting, once sent me an email and told me, “You feisty.” Yeah, well, this whole book will be written with as much passion as you’ve ever seen on my blog.

I'm also announcing this today because I’d like to periodically post excerpts of the book that I feel may need some feedback and/or debate. And if you’re new to screenwriting, I’d like to recommend the following books just to prepare you for what's to come:


Story by Robert McKee
Making a Good Script Great by Linda Seger
Psychology for Screenwriters by William Indick
20 Master Plots by Ronald B. Tobias
Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, Ph.D.
How NOT to Write a Screenplay by Denny Martin Flinn
Cinematic Storytelling by Jennifer van Sijll
The Story of Film by Mark Cousins


Yes, Robert, I plan to do just that. You’re going down, my friend.

-MM

22 comments:

Ann said...

Me likie. Yay!! I'll be back to critique your chapters. Probably not in the way you want. But I'll...be...back...and it will be sexy...

This is so exciting.

Anonymous said...

It was just a matter of time. :)

Joshua James said...

Cool!

Let me know if you need anything . . .

wcdixon said...

MM you continue to be an inspirational enigma...I'll be watching.

Elver said...

Way cool! Where can I pre-order it? :P

GimmeABreak said...

None of my favorites showed up on your list. I don't know whether to be happy or upset. 8-|

William said...

The system is broken! Long Live Mystery Man!

Looking forward to it, MM.

Mim said...

Yay!

Christian H. said...

Sounds like a great idea. I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully, you can find something worthwhile in my script to praise or chastise.

Unknown said...

With bated breath…

Mim said...

Actually, since you mentioned the porn industry, does that mean there will be porn in your book? Perhaps a chapter on how to make a better porn movie?

Elver said...

Gives a whole new meaning to the 3rd act climax... :P

Unknown said...

I'll buy it! Oh, wait it's gonna be free. Man, I'm all over that book MM. You are the MYSTERY MAN.

Elver said...

I know free is good, but could we get it in a dead tree format as well? There's something nice about the whole dead tree format. I'm quite fond of it.

Anonymous said...

Now you're not gonna go and make it easier for all the newbies are you MM? I've spent months trawling bookstores and the web, wading through the good, the bad, and the plain ill-conceived, trying to arrive at a well-judged assessment of what's in and what's out, what works and what don't, and you're gonna give it to people on a plate?!?! Can you write in code, or at least iambic pentameter or something? Give it to 'em bent! Keep up the mystery!

Anonymous said...

Whoa, back up. Free porn sites ?!

Christina said...

This is going to be really interesting. Can't wait!!

Matt said...

Nifty!

Anonymous said...

Neat. I look forward to it. I only ask that you include a couple snippets for log lines. They are a bitch to write. Any tips would be awesome.

Mystery Man said...

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it. I'm downright giddy about it. It's coming along beautifully.

-MM

Anonymous said...

MM,

Great concept. Very interested in the movie rights. Just sign the standard Hollywood Writers Rich and Famous contract - $250 fixed residual for unlimited one year streaming after a six-week window of free use, the DVD rate for Internet downloads. and of course we refuse to cover original material made for new media.

Three cheers for MM

Cheerleader said...

MM,

Love the concept and very interested in obtaining the movie rights. Just sign the standard Hollywood Rich and Famous Writers Contract: $250 fixed residual for unlimited one year streaming after a six-week window of free use, the DVD rate for Internet downloads, and of course this exempts original material made for new media.

Three cheers for MM