On Writing:
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
by Julia Cameron – A program to help writers and other artists unlock their creativity and focus.
Creating Ever-Cool: A Marketer’s Guide to a Kid’s Heart
by Gene Del Vecchio
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
by Joseph Campbell – The classic explanation of the hero’s journey.
Killing Monsters: Why Children Need Fantasy, Super Heroes, and Make-Believe Violence
by Gerad Jones
The Lie That Tells a Truth: A Guide to Writing Fiction
by John Dufresne – Wonderful writing exercises to help you find your voice and build characters by one of my favorite novelists.
Myth & the Movies: Discovering the Myth Structure of 50 Unforgettable Films
by Stuart Voytilla – He applies the hero’s journey to classic films in all genres.
Power Screenwriting: The 12 Steps of Story Development
by Michael Chase Walker – Beyond three act structure. Ways to layer meaning and heart in your story.
Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need
by Blake Snyder – A wonderful approach to concept and structure.
Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter’s Guide to Every Story Ever Told
by Blake Snyder – Analysis of hit movies by genre.
Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting; A step-by-step guide from concept to finished script
by Syd Field – The classic explanation of screenplay structure. Beginners start here.
The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition
by Christopher Vogler – Applies the hero’s journey to screenwriting.
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within
by Natalie Goldberg – Writing exercises to help unlock creativity.
Writing the Romantic Comedy
by Billy Mernit – A great explanation of the genre.
On Hollywood:
Adventures in the Screen Trade
by William Goldman – Anecdotes from a legendary screenwriter.
The Devil’s Guide to Hollywood: The Screenwriter as God!
by Joe Eszterhas – Advice and anecdotes from one of Hollywood’s most notorious and successful screenwriters.
Film Flam : Essays on Hollywood
by Larry McMurtry – Anecdotes from a legendary screenwriter and novelist.
What Makes Sammy Run?
by Budd Schulberg – The classic novel of Hollywood hustle which was written in 1941, and is still relevant today.
Which Lie Did I Tell?: More Adventures in the Screen Trade
by William Goldman – Anecdotes from a legendary screenwriter.
On Personal Empowerment:
How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day
by Michael J. Gelb
Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
by Keith Ferrazzi – a great primer on networking
The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
by Jack Canfield – a wonderful book about goal setting and self-confidence