THE FINE POINTS OF SPEC WRITING Dr. Format has been the go-to guy on screenplay formatting for two decades, and now he tells all.
 This book contains every column Dave Trottier (AKA Dr. Format) has written for Script Magazine, and each entry has been revised and updated to today's standards. In all, Dave answers hundreds of questions, with concise answers and clear, illustrative, and entertaining examples that empower you to write with confidence.
 Dr. Format Tells All includes five articles on formatting and spec writing, including how Dave became Dr. Format and a possible new format style for the future.
 Do you have a question about formatting or spec writing? Now you can have all of Dr. Format s prescriptions in one place. With a humorous flair, he addresses such issues as
 How do your format text messages? When can you legally use secondary headings? How do you handle foreign languages? How do you streamline your scenes for a great read? What do Hollywood readers look for in a script?
 Dave teaches you how to direct the camera without using camera directions, and how to apply formatting principles to develop your characters. He also shares specific tips on pitch letters and TV sitcom format. And he provides expert guidance on screenwriting issues not found anywhere else. Dr. Format Tells All goes beyond the rules and gives you practical applications that will expand your writing skills. According to Dave, Understanding formatting and spec writing is a key to crafting a great screenplay. Let Dr. Format help you do just that.

Dr. Format Tells All (3rd Edition)

Reference

David Trottier

Writing, Research & Publishing Guides

Applewood Arts

Do you have a question about formatting or spec writing? Now you can have all of Dr. Format's prescriptions in one place. Dr. Format contains every column Dave Trottier has written for Script Magazine, and each entry has been updated to current standards. In all, Dr. Format answers hundreds of questions with concise answers and clear, illustrative examples that empower you to write with confidence. With a humorous flair, Dr. Format teaches you how to direct the camera without using camera directions, how to handle foreign languages, and how to use spec writing principles to develop your characters. And he provides expert guidance on screenwriting issues not found anywhere else. Dr. Format goes beyond the rules and gives you practical applications that will expand your writing repertoire. Understanding formatting and spec writing principles is a key to crafting a great screenplay. Let Dr. Format help you do just that.

Dr. Format Answers Your Questions, Revised Edition

Do you have a question about formatting or spec writing? Now you can have all of Dr. Format's prescriptions in one place. Dr. Format contains every column Dave Trottier has written for Script Magazine (to 2010), and each entry has been fully updated to current standards. In all, Dr. Format answers hundreds of questions with concise answers and clear, illustrative examples that empower you to write with confidence. With a humorous flair, Dr. Format teaches you how to direct the camera without using camera directions, how to handle foreign languages, and how to use spec writing principles to develop your characters. And he provides expert guidance on screenwriting issues not found anywhere else. Dr. Format goes beyond the rules and gives you practical applications that will expand your writing repertoire. Understanding formatting and spec writing principles is a key to crafting a great screenplay. Let Dr. Format help you do just that.

Dr. Format Answers Your Questions, Third Edition

How I Became Perfect (Or: How I Quit Perfectionism and Started Living)

Dave Trottier

Yearning to write with freedom and confidence? Frustrated by blocks and fears? This guidebook offers tips and techniques that will help you double your creativity in 3 hours. Let in-demand writing coach Dave Trottier help you make the act of creation both fun and productive. 
Get your left and right brains to cooperate; break through writing obstacles with panache; summon your inner child for fun and profit. And find clear guidance and creative activities to mentor you on your writing quest. 
The book consists of three sessions: 
SESSION 1 Discover and liberate your creative self -- The nature of creativity; what is it specifically? -- The relationship between imagination and creativity -- Find your ideal creative state of mind -- Get the inner writer out and working for you. 
 SESSION 2 Tackle blocks and block fears -- Alchemy: turn blocks into stepping stones -- Break through fears -- What the Sistine Chapel and the movie Psycho have in common -- The Great Paradox of Creativity. 
 SESSION 3 Embark on your creative journey -- Find and clarify your creative vision -- Be free at last...to create -- Create your writing mission statement and quest -- Convert your vision into a career. 
 What professionals are saying Inspiring, practical and supremely useful, this book will open your heart and mind to your writing and creative potential. --Dan Poynter, author, The Self-Publishing Manual 
 David's guide is in its spirit generous; it offers its readers creative yet structured advice that should pay off.... It offers a let's get right down to it discussion of creative vision and the writing process. That Trottier is a writer and teacher who cares about helping others comes through. --Sheila Bender, Editor of Writing It Real and author of many writing books. 
 I learned to write from Dave s books. -- Donna Davidson, author of award-winning novels Elizabeth s Gift and Lord Kingsford s Quest 
 Read this book, boot up the computer, and get writing. Dave Trottier has the hand-holding/kick in the patootie double-whammy down pat. A great book for beginners and a wonderful refresher for experienced writers. Highly recommended. -- Kristine L. Franklin, children s author, novelist, and freelance writer 
 A great book to help you decide your writing vision, get over your fears, and develop a plan for your career. -- Christian Writers Fellowship 
 A wonderfully helpful guide for anyone who wants to start writing...and keep writing. -- Stedman Mays, agent, Scribblers House LLC Literary Agency, and editorial director of the GoodShortNovels.com Review 
 Dave writes with obvious respect for writers. He goes deep into the heart and head with advice that leads to success. A first-class book. -- Lucille S. deView, syndicated columnist and writing coach for major newspapers

Double Your Creativity in 3 Hours: a guide and workbook for writers

Catalogs & Directories

DR. FORMAT has been the go-to authority on the fine points of spec screenplay formatting for over two decades, and now he tells all.
 This book contains carefully selected columns and articles written mainly for Script Magazine, and each entry has been revised and updated to today's conventions. In all, Dr. Format answers hundreds of questions, with concise answers and clear, illustrative, and entertaining examples that empower you to write with confidence.
 This new 4th edition is really a special edition. According to the author: I knew I couldn't include every single column and article I've ever written on formatting; that would result in 400 or 500 pages. So I chose representative pieces and avoided unnecessary repetition to make topics easy to access. The material is presented in a progressive order; thus, much can be gained from reading the book from start to finish.
 Do you have a question about formatting or spec writing? Now you can have all of Dr. Format's prescriptions in one place. With a humorous flair, he addresses such issues as
 How do you format text messages and emails? When can you use secondary headings? How do you handle foreign languages? What do Hollywood readers look for in a script? How do you streamline your scenes for a great read?
 Dr. Format teaches you how to direct the camera without using camera directions, and how to apply formatting principles to develop your characters. And he provides expert guidance on formatting issues not found elsewhere.
 Dr. Format Tells All goes beyond the rules and gives you practical applications that will expand your screenwriting skills. According to the doctor, Understanding formatting and spec writing is a key to crafting a great screenplay. Let Dr. Format help you do just that.

Dr. Format Tells All: Everything you need to format your screenplay (2022 edition)

Countless of Dave Trottier's clients and screenwriting students have asked him for a rarity that most all developing screenwriters wish they had - a genuine spec screenplay with the following characteristics: 
-- It must be a spec script that a Hollywood reader fell in love with and recommended for purchase and production. At that point, the spec screenplay is converted into a shooting (or production) script. 
-- The same successful script must also be written in industry standard, spec screenplay format. Developing screenwriters want to see how correct format enhances the presentation of the story. 
This book contains two successful spec scripts in correct spec format. Both made it to the pre-production stage with established talent attached. 
TWO SCRIPTS TO LEARN FROM 
Actual spec scripts like these two are difficult to find because virtually all screenplays available to read or buy are shooting scripts, which often contain camera directions and other technical intrusions, such as scene numbers. Unless you are being paid to write, you are writing a spec script. 
Now you can apply principles gleaned from reading these two screenplays to craft your own entertaining movie script. 
A WINDOW IN TIME 
Wrongly charged with treason, a brilliant young NASA engineer gets another shock: a woman from the future claims to be his wife of ten years. Together they unravel a terrorist conspiracy, and ultimately travel to the future intending to foil the calamitous plot and undo his untimely death. 
A SUMMER WITH HEMINGWAY'S TWIN Ernest Hemingway had a twin? He did! And no one has told her story...until now. This lyrical ode to creativity reveals the Hemingway women as they were in 1939 Ernest s mother, his twin sister Marcelline, and the spunky coed who idolizes him and wants to write like him. 
Both of the above screenplays come with introductory material about their history, content, and marketing.

Two Screenplays (in correct spec format)

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