James at 2011-09-26 19:25:08:

1, 2, 5 -- I couldn't write without. 8's pretty close too. I disagree with 4 on principle of absolutes. I think William Goldman is a god. And I'm contradicting one of his rules. Blasphemy, right?

Ninjaneer777 (Jacob M) at 2011-09-26 22:45:07:

Though shalt write everyday. Don't think #4 is nearly as important as the other commandments.

Scott at 2011-09-26 23:27:18:

So many valuable points in this list, but if I had to pick one I find myself using in screenwriting classes, it's #8. Push the Protagonist, then push some, and even more. The resolution of the Final Struggle where the Protagonist [typically] achieves their goal is so much more meaningful if the path the P has had to take has been a really arduous one. Oftentimes I find, especially with younger or more novice writers, their desire to get to the end of the script undercuts whatever instinct they may have to make the P's journey more difficult. No, mess up the P's path. Yes, it makes for a more difficult writing experience, but if that leads to a more dramatic storyline, the better.

Ronjoy at 2011-09-27 00:13:34:

Number#8 Escalating tension; that’s the one thing I keep in mind when I am starting a new scene. I may have a brilliant scene half way down the script but I will have to take it out or tone it down if I can’t make the rest of the pages stand up to it.

Daniel at 2011-09-27 08:08:37:

Had no idea the big man had done these ... as he would, he focused on the actual writing, where as I meandered with my principles (which is why I didn't manage with just 10 but came up to 12 instead). Mine are really more about the basics for newbies to love writing, grow their writing muscle, stay true to themselves, get empowered and stay empowered. http://www.danielmartineckhart.com/2011/05/12-screenwriting-principles.html

Just_Hiltz at 2011-09-27 11:53:11:

As much as I know the value of these Commandments, I also know Goldman has fulfilled and broken many of them. Despite that, this is a brilliant template to work from.As always, great work Scott!

Sterling Editing » Written on the internet at 2011-09-30 11:59:15:

[...] William Goldman’s 10 Commandments of Writing are true for fiction [...]

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Calvin Starnes at 2013-07-22 12:50:04:

Thou shall not begin a sentence of dialogue with "Look" or "Listen" Thou shall not repeatedly end lines of dialogue with the other character's name. Thou shall not ever write, "What happened back there?"

Traci Nell Peterson at 2013-07-22 13:50:35:

For my genre, "5. Thou shalt respect thy audience." is the supreme, Alpha and Omega commandment. When a writer knows her/his audience and vows to not disappoint them, all the other commandments fall into place. "So let it be written, so let it be done."