A Gem of a Book
I teach writing classes online -- from month-long classes on different aspects of craft to intensive eight-week classes on novel writing. I bought this book because of its title. I have long been a proponent of the theory that the only reason we read or go to the movies is for the emotional connection that is made. This was the best $20 I ever spent. Iglesias explains emotional impact, both its importance, and the techniques you can use to create it and/or enhance it in language and examples you can understand. I have used the book as source material for varous parts of all my classes and it's been invaluable as a teaching tool. I have discovered, though, that this is really not a book for beginners. First you have to know the basic craft of writing -- whether you're writing a screenplay or a novel. It's only then that you're ready for what Iglesias is preaching. The truth is, when I was a beginner, I wouldn't have been able to use a lot of what he says because I wouldn't have known enough to understand how valuable his suggestions are. I do wish I'd discovered the book years ago -- when it would have benefited me through the writing of many of my own books -- but since I didn't, I'm glad I discovered it now, because it's been a great help with my classes. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

If you know absolutely nothing, well then this is something that can help.
Writing for Emotional Impact left me wanting more. After years of watching movies I was abLe to discern what the important elements of a movie are long before reading this book. However if you know absolutely nothing about writing a screenplay then I am quite certain you will find this book a valuable resource.

ALL BASES COVERED!
If logistics prevent you from taking a class with Karl Iglesais, then this book is the next best thing.

Writing For Emotional Impact is the best book on craft, and process I have read to date. It is concise, and thorough. It explains the importance of emotional impact on the reader/viewer in a way that makes sense.

Correct, and incorrect approachs to writing are compared and contrasted; reasons given are documented by examples from films. I have insights relating to character, dialogue, and the dynamics of a scene that I didn't have before. Finally, my dilemma about when to use on-the-nose, and when to use subtext has been clarified. This alone was worth the purchase price.

Whether you read it from cover-to-cover, or read chapters related to your specific need as a writer, the answers you seek are there. It's a great book!

good writing tool
For my point of view, quite useful when you need to rewrite a project, because it reviews all the tricks of the other books but with emotion in mind. So, this book can allow you to test your script, turn it upside down and maybe finally find new solutions. Pretty useful so.

Just so so
The book promises to improve your writing, which of course they all do. There were a few tidbits of useful information here, and a professional writer may benefit from the early chapters of the book. I found muich of the rest of the book to be tedious and boring.

I think the book should be much shorter than it is. There's too much repetition after the first third. This is not uncommobn. If an auithor doesn't have enough material to complete a book then he should simply wait until he does, THEN write his book.

Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need