Writing Screenplays That Sell by Michael Hauge (1991, Paperback, Reprint)

I was given this book at age 14 and I still refer back to it. It's a generalize view - There are probably better books but in a general sense this gives you a great ground of how and where to start and it helps with the actual writing format of the screenplay and delves into how to create characters and plotlines in the general sense ... the rest, though, if you're creative enough, will be able to have the blanks filled in by you (the writer..) i think this is a great book to have ESPECIALLY for a beginner.

I have read several books on screenplay writing and all have important advice in them. Hauge's book is very encouraging for the serious beginner. It makes becoming a screenwriter an attainable possibility if you are willing to work hard to become a good one. I recommend reading more than one on the subject as each writer focuses on slightly different areas.