By Geno McGahee

As a screenwriter, I was very interested to read a book: “SCREENWRITING TIPS, YOU HACK,” written by Xander Bennett. Offering 150 tips to the screenwriter, presented in a sarcastic and humorous way, Bennett brings forth important information for anyone planning on writing a screenplay.

Below is a sample of the tips that you will come across:

• Screenwriting Tip #99 Voice-over usually feels like scaffolding. You know-something you left in there when you were constructing the first draft, but really should have torn out after it served its purpose.

• Screenwriting Tip #120 Always remember that funny trumps everything. Your script could be written in crayon with your name spelled wrong on the cover, but if it’s genuinely funny, none of that matters.

• Screenwriting Tip #156 The easiest way to write a kick-ass protagonist is to make them incredibly good at what they do.

• Screenwriting Tip #580 Genuinely great ideas are like orgasms and migraines-when you have one, you know.

The book is an informative and easy read, but what makes it special is that it appears that every point that can be thought of was thought of and presented. Not only is the advice given sound, there is also support of each point.

The way it was written was part of its charm. I found it very amusing and I can honestly say that I learned a few things that I will employ in my future screenplays. If you are a screenwriter, this book is a useful tool with advice that you can take and see how it applies to you and how you write and produce. If you are not a screenwriter, you can learn a great deal about the field and learn a lot about the process.

I highly recommend this book.  Buy it by clicking here!