I was going through my bookshelves, looking through all my writing books (this happens every time I get a new idea for a story, by the way).
I thought I'd share some of my favorites.
First, I want to point out that Stephen King's On Writing, and Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird are some of the best writing books out there. I just didn't include them on my list because they're pretty much a given. They're probably at the top of every writer's must-read list. If you haven't read them, you need to.
As for my other top picks:
Writing Irresistible KidLit by Mary Kole
A Novel in a Year by Louise Doughty
How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
AND Elements of Fiction Writing - Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card
First Draft in 30 Days by Karen Wiesner
AND From First Draft to Finished Novel, by Karen Wiesner
How NOT to Write a Novel by Howard Mittelmark
By the way... if JK Rowling, Steven Moffat or Joss Whedon ever write a book on writing, you better believe I'll be pre-ordering that baby on Amazon with overnight shipping!
How about you? What are your go-to writing books for guidance and inspiration? What author(s) do you wish wrote a book on writing?
I keep hearing great things about Stephen King's On Writing. I'll have to pick it up.
ReplyDeleteMy current go-to books on writing are:
The Elements of Style - by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
Wired for Story - by Lisa Cron (you should see all the bookmarks I have in that one)
Flogging the Quill: Crafting a Novel that Sells - by Ray Rhamey
So many great books out there, so little time. :)
ANY list of books geared towards writing has to have 'On Writing.' That is a fantastic piece, and I'm not into Stephen King yet. (I just haven't given him a chance, to be honest.)
ReplyDeleteBut, let me tell you, Orson Scott Card- that man had me at Ender's Game.