Scriptwriting is a type of writing that can offer a little bit of fame. Many people go into scriptwriting with the idea that they will be a part of the next great Hollywood production. In reality, there are very few scripts filmed each year and the number is steadily decreasing. That means that a script must stand out from the piles and piles of scripts being read every day. In order to stand out, a writer must know how to grip the reader with a good story. And a good story cannot be discovered unless the writer has some knowledge in format, style, and length. Here are three books that help to provide advice and information for putting your best foot forward in the world of scriptwriting.

Writing Short Films: Structure and Content for Screenwriters by Linda J. Cowgill

Even if you only want to write feature length scripts, starting with a short film is a great way to break into the world of scriptwriting. Writing Short Films is a detailed book that provides the basics of plot, structure, and the essential elements needed for a successful short script. Cowgill also provides real world examples of short scripts that easily show readers her point in action. All of these examples are also available in their film versions to see the work in action on the screen. This is one of the best books to start your scriptwriting process.

How Not to Write a Screenplay: 101 Common Mistakes Most Screenwriters Make by Denny Martin Flinn

While the title seems to start out on a negative point, How Not to Write a Screenplay is the next essential book for aspiring scriptwriters. The common mistakes described in this book are not known because the author is an expert writer but because the author has had years of experience reading scripts that never make the cut. This book provides you with answers to questions before you even know just what to ask. This book also contains examples that show just what can happen with an over-zealous scriptwriter who hasn’t taken the time to learn proper script format. The book also introduces problems and solutions for content—which is equally as important in a script.

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The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style by Christopher Riley

The Hollywood Standard should hold a special place on the scriptwriter’s bookshelf. As far as learning the proper format for scripts, this is the book to have. The Hollywood Standard provides examples of nearly every type of scene, action, and flashback you could need when writing a short or feature length script. The book is written clearly so that even the novice can find answers to most of their formatting questions. One of the book’s best features is the index in the back for quick reference to the problem a writer is looking to fix.

While every scriptwriter and reader will have their own preferences for what they want to see in terms of format and content, these books can help boost your knowledge about this type of writing and get a better idea of what work best on paper to provide what works best on the screen.