13 Books for Writers
Thursday, September 27th, 2007
Here are some of my favourite writing instructional books, in no particular order.
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1. How to be a Writer: Secrets from the Inside by Stewart Ferris (pictured above)
A pocket-sized gem of a book, with advice to get you from the blank page to final draft and beyond. Visit the author’s website for more resources and advice.
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2. Seven Steps on the Writer’s Path by Nancy Pickard and Lynn Lott
Writing can be a lonely journey, so when things aren’t going well it’s nice to know that you’re on an essential stage of a process. This books details the seven steps on the cyclical writer’s path: Unhappiness, Wanting, Commitment, Wavering, Letting Go, Immersion, and Fulfillment.
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3. Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain
This book was highly recommended by one of my writing tutors. It’s slightly dated at times, but the bulk of the advice given remains current.
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4. Fiction Writer’s Workshop by Josip Novakovich
This book is like taking a writing workshop with a knowledgeable and encouraging teacher. It has loads of exercises and helpful examples taken from short stories and novels.
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5. The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them) by Jack M. Bickham
A no-nonsense guide. Some of Bickham’s opinions may not be aimed at non-commercial forms of writing, but it’s a short and sweet read.
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A great collection of essays and interviews about writing. If you can only buy one book about writing, it should probably be this one.
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7. Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell
One of the best writing instructional books I’ve ever read. It brings together and expands upon so many techniques which you might find in other books. Follow this book and you can’t go wrong.
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8. The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler
A real eye-opener. Highly recommended for screenwriters and novelists, this book applies Joseph Campbell’s theories of mythology to the structure of storytelling. It also gives information about the Jungian archetypes, which can help the writer to create characters who resonate with the public on a universal level.
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9. An Editor’s Advice to Writers: The Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner
A writer’s survival kit, through the writing process and into the maze of publication. The quote at the top of the blog is from this book.
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10. Between the Lines by Jessica Page Morrell
This book describes the subtle techniques that writers use to add texture and meaning to their stories (e.g. motifs, foreshadowing, misdirection, sub-plotting, etc).
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11. Writing from the Inside Out by Dennis Palumbo
A writer/psychotherapist helps you to overcome common psychological blocks and issues.
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12. You Can Write a Romance by Rita Clay Estrada and Rita Gallagher
This book covers the fundamentals of romance writing.
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13. The Writer’s and Artists’ Yearbook
When you’re ready to submit your work, you need the current version of this annual publication. Agents, publishers, competitions, and more are listed in this essential resource. (Also check out the Writer’s Handbook)
3:58 am on 27-Sep-07
What a great list of books! I’ve read so many of these books – and very few on your list. Thank you for taking the time to compile it!
Cheers!
4:02 am on 27-Sep-07
Great list! I have bookmarked your site and will be back when I have time to read more of your posts.
My T13 #49 is up. I’ve answered 13 of the 100 Question Meme. Stop by if you get a chance.
4:13 am on 27-Sep-07
You’re missing
On Writing by Stephen King
Elements of Style by Strunck and White
6:27 am on 27-Sep-07
Brilliant list! I’m not sure about the romance writing one, but I’ll search out some of the others. I own #13 but it’s a few years old, so I should update it.
8:09 am on 27-Sep-07
Love it! I’ve read a few of these, and am noting down the others.
11:06 am on 27-Sep-07
Hi Journeywoman: I have Elements of Style, but I didn’t have space to list it, and I hate On Writing by Stephen King. I know that everyone else seems to love it, but it just irritated me.
Hi Nicholas: don’t immediately discount the Romance book, it’s helpful generally and for advice when writing love scenes in a different genre.
1:49 pm on 27-Sep-07
I loved Annie Lamott’s Bird By Bird! Really recommend it. My TT post this week has a bit about writing in it too, but it’s of a more personal sort than writingfor publication. Would love to hear your thoughts on it! You can find it here.
5:54 pm on 27-Sep-07
Thanks for providing a great list of books. I am a writer so I will be referring back to this page
6:47 pm on 27-Sep-07
What you can tell you’re a professional with THAT list. Great T13 list.
8:57 pm on 27-Sep-07
My fave is Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. I am anxiously waiting to read Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott and The Writing Life by Annie Dillard.
12:00 am on 28-Sep-07
As it happens, I did a post on my faves, including King and Goldberg, last year…
http://varkentine.blogspot.com/2006/01/books-i-read-about-writing.html
12:11 am on 28-Sep-07
PS: Also, if you do a search on my blog for “words to live by,” you’ll find about nine quotes I like on writing.
12:37 am on 28-Sep-07
Hmmm… off to browse a bookstore I go…
9:01 pm on 28-Sep-07
Amy: I’ve heard about Bird by Bird but haven’t gotten around to reading it yet.
WFM: I wish!
BV: good stuff
Susan: It’s all part of the service.