My Favorite Books on Writing

By Susan | Published: October 26, 2012

So, as promised for our next round of NaNoWriMo help and inspiration, I’m going to share some of my favorite books on writing/revising/inspiration/etc. And if you swing by Sarah’s blog today, she’ll also be posting with NaNo goodness.

In other news, my dear, dear friend Meredith McCardle sold her book! I am so, so, SO happy for her. I cannot express to you all how much I adore her book–she’s an amazing writer–and I am just so thrilled you all will get a chance to read her books too. CONGRATULATIONS, MEREDITH!!! You so deserve this!! ♥♥♥

Also: On Monday, I’ll be revealing the cover for A Darkness Strange and Lovely! There’ll be a giveaway of a signed copy of Something Strange and Deadly as well as a signed copy of Throne of Glass! So please, please, PLEASE stop by on Monday and help spread the word!

Now, onto the great list!

Writing Toolbox for Beginners

Immediate Fiction by Jerry Cleaver

Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell

How to Think Sideways by Holly Lisle

The Story Within Plotting Guide by Alicia Rasley

Writing Toolbox for the More Experienced

Brewing Fine Fiction from the Book View Cafe

2K to 10K by Rachel Aaron

The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass

The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler

 

Revising Basics

Revision and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell

How to Revise Your Novel by Holly Lisle (this ain’t cheap either)

Revising for the More Experienced

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King

The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman

Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass

Genre Specific Guides I Love

How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card

How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat

 How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries by Kathy Lynn Emerson

Inspiration for Newbies

If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland

Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly by Gail Carson Levine

Inspiration for the Writing Weary

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Seven Steps on the Writer’s Path by Nancy Pickard & Lynn Lott

You tell me: Do you have any favorites for books on writing craft or inspiration?

While you’re here, don’t forget to enter into the raffle! After NaNoWriMo, Sarah and I will be giving away 2 5-page critiques to anyone who enters and FINISHES NaNo! HOORAY!!

Oh, and don’t forget: Monday is the A Darkness Strange and Lovely cover reveal!! EEEEEE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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  • http://twitter.com/jlewenda Jessica Lewenda

    Awesome books! I’ll be sure to add them to my tbr list. Though, I can’t believe that ON WRITING isn’t there! It’s practically a classic. :P
    Another book I recommend is Haruki Murakami’s WHAT I TALK ABOUT WHEN I TALK ABOUT RUNNING. Murakami writes about his life as a writer, and uses his love for marathon running as a central analogy to the writing process. Quite an inspiring read. Definitely worth checking out. :)

    [Reply]

    Susan Dennard Reply:
    October 26th, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    I haven’t actually read ON WRITING, which is why I didn’t include it! I know–terrible that I haven’t read the most famous writing book of all…EEP.

    And cool! I’d never heard of Murakami’s book–I will totally check it out right now! Thanks for the rec!

    [Reply]

  • Meredith McCardle

    Thanks, Sooz!! (((((hugs)))))

    I am SO EXCITED to check out the new cover! Woohoo!!

    I haven’t even heard of a lot of these writing books. *hangs head in shame* The genre-specific guides sound like something I need to pick up ASAP though. Ditto Jessica on ON WRITING, which is certainly a favorite. There are so many good tidbits in there. Annie Dillard has one too that I enjoyed, although the title is escaping me at the moment…

    [Reply]

    Susan Dennard Reply:
    October 27th, 2012 at 3:28 am

    Woohooooooo! And dude, I so need to read ON WRITING. I *know* I do and I’ve known it for a while. Lately I’ve been really into the writing inspiration/writer’s life type books. They help me realize I’m not the only neurotic author with major self-doubts out there. ;)

    Congrats again, lady!! <3

    [Reply]

  • http://www.facebook.com/Arianna.Sterling Arianna Sterling

    Oh, I love BIRD BY BIRD. It was probably the only good thing I got out of my high school writing class (that teacher and I did NOT get along, so I mostly hated being there).

    Super excited for the new cover! I’ve been wondering for ages what it’ll look like. I’m also super excited for NaNo. I just switched which novel I’m doing for it, since the one I planned to use just didn’t feel right.

    Good times ahead :D

    [Reply]

    Susan Dennard Reply:
    October 27th, 2012 at 3:27 am

    Good times ahead is RIGHT!! And I do so hope you like the cover for ADS&L. ;) I really, really do.

    [Reply]

  • Erica Tripp

    I can’t wait to see the cover! I’m really excited for the second book. I couldn’t put the first down and ended up reading it twice already!
    I’m pretty obsessed with books on writing, so I have a lot. Maybe too many…but anyway! I’m currently reading The Fire in Fiction and it’s pretty good! ‘What Would Your Character Do?’ is good for getting inside your character’s head. ‘Page by Page’ and ‘Chapter by Chapter’ are great for inspiration. Want a book of prompts for daily writing? ‘The 3am Epiphany’ is pretty awesome.

    [Reply]

    Susan Dennard Reply:
    November 5th, 2012 at 3:59 pm

    I love Donald Maass’s books. When I was still a total beginner, I worked through the WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WORKBOOK and it totally changed how I look at things. The bit about combining characters or making them all somehow connected is TOTALLY evident in SS&D. ;)

    [Reply]

  • About Sooz

    Hi! I'm Susan Dennard. I'm a reader, writer, animal-lover, and cookie-eater. My debut novel--a YA gothic mystery called Something Strange and Deadly--is now available in stores!

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