FROM THE BOOK BAG

I get mail about the book and most of it is nice and sometimes it is fun and once in a while it is not nice but overall it is really cool mail so I thought I would put some of it up. Thank you for sending it. Here is the book mail. . . .

[PS: I can't always respond to mail but I visit the message board if you would like to stop by : message board ]

I've never written to an author before but your book really came along at the right time in my life. Thank you for writing it.

I read your book, and not as a courtesy or an act of friendship, either. I'm not sure I intended to read it at all. I was flipping through and read a page which interested me so I started at the beginning, thinking I'd read till I was bored, and afterwhile, I was at the end.

Your book The Screen-Writers Survival Guide - made me laugh out loud so many times. I just had to write to say thanks. It's encouraging.

I've referred this book to all my friend in the biz -- writers, set dressers, even a few impressionable PA's. They all bought the book -- do I get a cut of the royalties?

Yer Book: Is a ray of sunlight against a sea of retarded stupidity. I've read Goldman, Trottier, etc. Love em, hate em. But you my lass, you are special.

Your book is the BEST book on screenwriting. I have tons of "how to" books, some even on cassette. With most of them, I got so darn bored I didn't finish chapter one. But yours...It got me cracking, got me WRITING like a maniac.

What I've been trying to figure out is how you go about selling a script, and I think your book is going to be a lifesaver for me, so...thanks. I like your website, too.

In all the talk about the WWF wrestling match for your galley copy, what I didn't say about your book is that it's an incredibly generous book. It's also the best book on screenwriting I've ever read. The only book on screenwriting I'd stuff into my suitcase and carry into battle.

Most helpful chapter so far: "Writer Speak vs Mogul Speak" (I mean, crum! Why hasn't anyone made it this simple before? Maybe as a liscensed product you could sell nifty decoder rings. And when I take a meeting before inserting my mouth, I could spin the little dial and it would translate the mogul speak that very moment. . . .)

I just finished reading your book...I loved it...it was so much "you". And packed with great advice. You have that fine gift of writing like you talk. Your style is so personal and energetic...the book was really fun to read. You are a very generous and courageous person. You give a lot of yourself. Thanks.

I'm reading your book, standing there in my stained jeans with the whole writers' look going on and I rip through the pages thinking this guy's got a good voice and I understand precisely what he's trying to say. And then I read on, figure out who you are, and got real pissed off. It's a gender thing.

Just wanted to drop a note to say thanks for writing the book. I picked it up out of curiousity(along with a Syd Field book, which you have made me wonder if I made a mistake in buying). It was well written, witty(even got me to stop by the video store to rent Excess Baggage tonight) and to the point.

fortunately, as i made good use of your book, it is well read; unfortunately, the cover isn't fresh enough for the art department.

I'm up to Chapter 10 of your Survival Guide. Slow reader. Good book.

As a Midwestern steel town boy who had no contact with LA you blew apart the queasiness I felt when confronted with all the cliches I'd built up about H-wood...(which I've found out to still be true in so many ways)...yet, you created some hope in me for a "career". I guess that sounds a little cheesy and maybe overblown, but who says the truth can't be cheesy and overblown?

I just finished reading your guest essay on wordplayer.com, and they linked to your website. It has a nice clean feel to it. The essay should be renamed "Writers are from Mars, Moguls are from Uranus".

After reading umpteen "How to Sell In Hollywood" books -- each of which turned out to be just another how-to-write-a-script-that-doesn't-completely-suck tome -- it was refreshing to find one that offered actual details on the biz. When I saw there was even a chapter on what a screenwriter should wear to meetings, I was sold on the spot.

There seem to be MANY similarities between pitching a script and pitching a web project (does that seem odd?), and the content continues to bolster my confidence.

Your book is terrific. It's confirmed some things (I sweated to learn) and taught me stuff I should know. I wish I'd had it a couple years before it was published, but it's good to have it now.

I thought you would be taller.

I just had the pleasure of reading and completing your book, The ScreenWriter's Survival Guide which I picked up at B&N Book store in Aventura, Florida. I thought it was one of the best books I have read in the lastnumber of years on this subject.

I enjoyed your writing style. I feel like I know you. So I am taking a moment to let you know that your story is helping me with mine.

Your book is great. If it could only physically kick me in the pants when I'm organizing my rubber bands by size instead of finishing my third acts, it would be perfect.

I am still enjoying your book. Not just your style, but also your ability to get inside the reader's head and deal with their follow-up questions.

Just read the book and I wanted to commend you for your story and your humor. I've been telling everyone I know about it (whether they're screenwriters or not. Most of them aren't).

I'm enjoying your book. And I've acquired a whole new respect for what it is you do. Hollywood, I see, is no place for the faint of heart.

I'd just about had it slogging through would-be home-grown screenwriting coaches, how-to tomes, creepy agents-in-training and various cab drivers who know an actor who knows.... I was about to delete Final Draft from my hard drive. Then I found your book. Ah, hope. So, thanks for taking the time to write your survival guide. I'm off the ledge.

I'm trying like hell to bust down those doors without being tossed out on my cute little tush...with all the advice you gave...I think I'll at least be able to sneak past the assistant and be polite.

I LOVED the book. I learned so much from it. There are things I couldn't figure out, couldn't quite get a handle on, and they were addressed in your book. I think it's a great thing you did to give people the keys to get inside the fortress.Your book is bright, funny, witty and generous.

I am embarassed to point this out to my Muse, but after pressing on "other places" I was directed to a page titled HAUTE COUTURE. Living in Montreal and being quiet fluent in the "belle langue de Moliere," I felt obliged to point out the error. The proper spelling should be Haute Cowture.

I wish I had your book when I started out. In fact, I wished I had it the other day to smack this particular exec in the head with.

Thanks again for writing such a great fucking book: it's insightful, pragmatic, and truly helpful. Also, it cracked me up in several places--good to know I'm not the only shoe-obsessed writer girl who re-reads "Love is Dog from Hell" when life gets mean--and I love the fact that it's a condescension-free zone.

I've often felt overwhelmed that I am from outside Hollywierd, and you have given me that little boost of self-confidence reminding me that "I can do this Nicky!"

I just came back from a pretty successful pitch session in LA and wanted to thank you for the huge contribution your book made to that success. I'd gone to LA twice since the award but the third trip, heavily guided by your advice, was by far the most successful. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Thanks. Clarity (I know it's a cheesy word to use but it fits) in thought and action is one of the hardest things to ever achieve. Sometimes it is impossible. In my life however it comes in to save me just in the nick of time and in this instance you are directly responsible, for that I want to thank you. You are an incredible writer, anyone that can write a 'how to' book and make it funny and exciting has to be. You have given me another reason to keep trying and not become an accountant( I would never be an accountant anyway), so for all of this I thank you.

i just bought and read 'the screenwriter's survival guide' and it's great. chimed with a lot of my own experiences and it made me laugh (a lot), while giving really good, straight up advice. um, that's it really. i'm in l.a. for a week, 5,000 miles from home, and it was great to meet a kindred spirit, even if it was on the page.

I bought and have just finished reading your book, "The Screenwriter's Survival Guide". And wow! Thanks for writing such a great book! I loved the down-to-earth, nitty-gritty advice! And I must admit, I am guilty of committing at least one of the mistakes you mention. ("Hi! My name is Susan, and I am a new screenwriter looking for representation!") Fortunately, not too many times.

After our 300 and some page journey together, I feel like we're friends. And that is pretty much what I wanted to tell you - that reading your book was like listening to a wise (...but it's wisdom born of pain...) and funny friend. . . I now feel as if I've been immersed in the Hollywood system without having to leave my job at the assembly plant in Ohio (yes, we dream in Ohio too.) Thanks for taking me along.

I just wanted to tell you I loved your book. Laughed out loud many times.

I took it upon myself to highlight a few 'Maxims'. My favorite one (that I will freely adopt) is: "People do things for arbitrary reasons." I love it. I want to marry it. I want to see it emblazoned on a million T-shirts in a thousand languages under a bright yellow smiley ...um, cowface.

Dear Sir (just kidding max)

Thanks for the great insights in your book.

Hi ... after about a year of writing parttime while working at a fulltime, I suddenly find myself out of a job and free to write fulltime. I'm going back and rereading your book and finding it very useful.

I recently finished your book, "The Screenwriter's Survival Guide" . . . your book was fantastic. Thank you very much for that and have a great day.

I bought your [the] book a couple of weeks ago, and just finished it an hour ago. IT IS WELL WORTH THE MONEY (and believe me, I'm broke). . . this is the best book I have read so far on practical screenwriting tips. Thanks.

Heard about you through Screentalk Mag and decided to buy your book. I thought it was the best thing that I have read for writers like me who are still trying to break into the business. Thanks for the clarity.

I probably wouldn't have such a great manager if hadn't learned how to write (plagarize) a decent query from reading your book. . . .

Love your book. I've been around forever and I didn't know any of this stuff. Been giving it away to people. Do I get commisions or anything?

I got the book, and I know you probably hear this so much it tends to blur, but the dedication meant so much to someone out there in the crowd. What I've read - and I haven't had time for much - helps my dreams take substance, makes my heart race, and fills me with hope. Thank you for writing it.

Well done on your book, 'The Screenwriters Survival Guide". Definitely one of the most useful books I've read on the biz of screenwriting.

Recommended your book to my friend. Turns out, she's read it already and has been referring to it regularly while getting ready for her pitch. Kids these days . . . . ;) Actually, it also turns out she's already pitched. The people at Imagine were happy. . . .

Thanks for making learning so fun. I just finished your book--I started Saturday night late and finished Sunday morning. My husband hates you, but I am more enlightened.

Your book should be required reading in film school programs.

I've REALLLLY enjoyed your SURVIVAL GUIDE --- great book. Thanks for blazing a trail. . . .

Your book was, as they say, a real page-turner. I love your writing style, or cadence, or whatever it is you call it. I'm sure you're quite proud, and if you're not, shame on you, you should be.

I just want to tell you, I'm reading your book right now, and I'm finding it to be invaluable. No seriously, I'm not just kissing your ass in the hope that you'll hook me up.

I just finished your book "The Screenwriters Survival Guide" and I just had to drop a note to say thank you. The book was the best (Not one of, but the best) books I've ever read on "The Real Hollywood."

I just wanted to drop a line and let you know that "The Screenwriter's Survival Guide" is terrific. I'm sure you've gotten that compliment quite a lot, so I'm content to add my praise to the lot.

Really loved your book - so clear and bottom line and way inspiring -

To this day I remember you yelling at me about wearing a tie the day I had lunch with a producer, you told me to go to the Gap and don't wear anything else to meetings.

Friday, I purchased your book "The Screenwriter's Survival Guide." Unfortunately for my visiting guests, I spent the weekend holed up in my bedroom with your book, cackling and letting out intermittent shrieks of laughter. I couldn't put it down.

Your book is wonderful and I loved it, and it was a great help to me, and when I am rich and famous, and win an Academy Award for my first screenplay, I won't have time to thank you on stage so I'm thanking you now.

I loved your Guerilla book. That was the most helpful book on screenwriting I've ever read.

Thanks for taking the time to do the book. For me, it was worth your effort.

I purchased your book "The Screenwriter's Survival Guide" today, and I am nearly half way through it. I love it! I just wanted to say thank you for putting it out there. . . .

Just finished your book, loved it! You've given me the necessary kick in the pants to start hounding producer types about my script.

Enjoyed your book. Killer app. Great read.

I keep the book with me every where I go. I can't put it down.

After months of banging our heads against the wall we have interest from [agency name cut] to rep us. The advice I found in your book, I believe, made the difference.

Where was this three years ago when I could have avoided all those stupid mistakes?? HA!

T