Just finishing up reading Hello He Lied, by Lynda Obst.  

Granted, it's an old book at this point (1997), but remarkably insightful.  I'd consider this a must-read for anyone who wants to get involved in the biz.  (Obst actually quotes 'The Art of War' in relevant ways throughout the book.  And there's an amazingly funny little fictional bit about a new writer running up against the political realities of Hollywood at the opening of his first film.)

And if you're female?  The book's even *more* insightful.

A strong recommend, IMHO!  Strong enough that I felt compelled to post...

Cheers,

--J (W)

I've just written the title down and I'd like to read it, but not because I want to "play" the game with some hot shot Biz Ball who doesn't care to look up what transmorgify means. No.

I want to read it because I love reading real life stories like that. If I can't find it at my library, I hope to be buying it in the near future.

BTW, if you like reading any non fiction, I advise:

The Immortal Life of Henrieatta Lacks

http://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/2383/the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks

I found this completely by accident at Chapters in Red Deer.

I would recommend this to anyone. An excellent read!!!  

Sandra

Sandra -

Hey - I'll check that out.  And highly recommend Hello He Lied as a read - for the philosophy and strategy Obst espouses, as much as the Hollywood insights....

Just finished another in the same vein - and one I very much recommend for anyone serious about screenwriting as a career:

Tales from the Script (Peter Hanson and Paul Robert Herman)

Enlightening, useful stuff!