My Favourite Books About Writing
I am often asked if I know of any books which help writers to write. Here are some of the best:
The Creative Writing Coursebook
Edited by Julia Bell & Paul Magrs (Macmillan 2001)
If you've never done a creative writing course, this is the next best thing. Compiled from lecture notes used by writers and academics, this follows the pattern of such a course, complete with exercises which can be done in groups or alone.
If you've never done a creative writing course, this is the next best thing. Compiled from lecture notes used by writers and academics, this follows the pattern of such a course, complete with exercises which can be done in groups or alone.
Solutions For Novelists: Secrets Of A Master Editor
By Sol Stein (Souvenir Press 1999, reprinted 2003, 2008)
How to please the ultimate partner, the reader, and give him an experience more satisfying than his own life. Anything written by this man is worth reading.
How to please the ultimate partner, the reader, and give him an experience more satisfying than his own life. Anything written by this man is worth reading.
From First Draft To Finished Novel
A Writer’s Guide To Cohesive Story Building
By Karen S. Wiesner (Writer’s Digest Books 2008)
A novel is not just a long short story. I thought I knew how to construct a novel before I read this. It is still the best plotting tool I own, and I use it for every new book I write.
By Karen S. Wiesner (Writer’s Digest Books 2008)
A novel is not just a long short story. I thought I knew how to construct a novel before I read this. It is still the best plotting tool I own, and I use it for every new book I write.
Writing Fiction: A Guide To Narrative Craft
By Janet Burroway (Longman 2000)
When I did my creative writing course, this book was recommended to me. I believe it is used as a text book in many such courses around the world, and it is easy to see why.
When I did my creative writing course, this book was recommended to me. I believe it is used as a text book in many such courses around the world, and it is easy to see why.
Imaginative Writing: The Elements Of Craft
By Janet Burroway (Longman 2003)
Similar to the book above, but covers a wider spectrum: essays; fiction; poetry and drama. As a novelist, I have never been able to decide which book I prefer, and use both equally.
Similar to the book above, but covers a wider spectrum: essays; fiction; poetry and drama. As a novelist, I have never been able to decide which book I prefer, and use both equally.
On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft
By Stephen King (Pocket Books, Simon & Schuster, New York, 2000)
A no-nonsense, back-to-basics guide from a true master of the craft. Brilliant.
A no-nonsense, back-to-basics guide from a true master of the craft. Brilliant.
Writing The Breakout Novel
Insider Advice For Taking Your Fiction To The Next Level
By Donald Maass (Writer’s Digest Books – 2001)
When you think your writing is good enough, this book will show you how to make it so much better. Plot and creating tension: the plot does not need to be linear, but the tension must escalate on every page.
By Donald Maass (Writer’s Digest Books – 2001)
When you think your writing is good enough, this book will show you how to make it so much better. Plot and creating tension: the plot does not need to be linear, but the tension must escalate on every page.
Invisible Ink: A Practical Guide to Building Stories that
Resonate
By Brian McDonald (Libertary Edition, Seattle – 2010)
The “Show, don’t tell” principle is taken to new heights in this book, dramatising events in order to tell a story. The main point about dramatising something is that it gives us an emotional connection.
The “Show, don’t tell” principle is taken to new heights in this book, dramatising events in order to tell a story. The main point about dramatising something is that it gives us an emotional connection.
Save The Cat!
The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
By Blake Snyder (Michael Wiese Productions 2005)
Snyder has two vital tools which I use in everything I write today: his classification of what a hero wants and what drives him to that goal; and the “Blake Snyder 15 Beat Sheet” which is his personal adaptation of the basic three-act structure, and it really works!
Snyder has two vital tools which I use in everything I write today: his classification of what a hero wants and what drives him to that goal; and the “Blake Snyder 15 Beat Sheet” which is his personal adaptation of the basic three-act structure, and it really works!