Five Great Books on Writing
Posted by annastan on December 3rd, 2009. Filed under: Books, Craft, Resources.If you haven’t noticed, I like to read a lot of books on craft. Thanks to a comment by Shannon Brochu, today I’m going to list some of the ones I’ve found particularly helpful, especially in relation to writing for children and teens.
1. What’s Your Story? by Marion Dane Bauer – This book is a great resource for any beginning writer, young or old. It breaks down the fundamentals of character, plot, etc. and reminds us that “story is about someone struggling.”
2. Steering the Craft by Ursula Le Guin – A wonderful guide to the technical aspects of writing that really matter, such as word choice and point of view. It’s filled with great exercises that encourage you to think about various aspects of storytelling.
3. The Writer’s Guide to Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb – An in-depth look at what makes writing for children work; from story structure to forward momentum to setting, this book covers a bit of everything.
4. Any of the “Elements of Writing Fiction” series written by Orson Scott Card, Monica Wood, et al – This series is an invaluable resource. It breaks down the building blocks of writing (description, setting, viewpoint, etc.) and gives an in-depth examination of how they work in storytelling. Every book in this series that I’ve read has been enlightening.
5. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott – This has been a favorite of mine for years. Not only does Lamott give great advice on writing, she does so in a funny, encouraging way. If I’m ever feeling stuck or unmotivated, I just have to return to this book and it helps perk me back up.
And there you have it, some of my favorites. Of course there are lots of other great craft books out there, but these are ones that I find myself going back to time after time. I’m also about halfway through Donald Maass’s Writing the Breakout Novel and I think it might be going on my list of favorites. I’ve found its discussion of high stakes to be especially helpful.
Are there any books on craft that you would add to this list? What about them do you find particularly useful?
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 am
I’d add On Writing by Stephen King. King’s description of his writing life is honest, touching and funny. The Writer’s Toolbox section is brilliant and worth the price of the entire book.
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:54 am
Heather, I completely agree. On Writing is also a book I go back to pretty frequently; I love how straight-forward and honest King’s advice is.
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:05 am
To those already listed I would add Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:07 am
Thanks Andrea! That one has been on my reading list for a while; I look forward to checking it out.
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Andrea, thanks for this list! There is a book series I highly recommend – “How to Write a Children’s Picture Book” by Eve Heidi Bine-Stock. There are three books in the series – Volume I: Structure, Volume II: Word, Sentence, Scene, Story and Volume III: Figures of Speech. Ms. Bine-Stock uses examples from well-known children’s books to illustrate her points and I found that very helpful.
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Thanks Lori! I’ll have to check those out.
December 5th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
numbers 2 and 5 are on my “TBR” list. I also want to read the book Plot and Structure. Scott Bell is the author, I think. (did I spell his name right?) Good list!
December 6th, 2009 at 6:22 am
I love Plot and Structure – it’s such a useful book. I think it’s by James Scott Bell. Enjoy!
April 19th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
I like to think there is a book inside me somewhere that one day will decide it’s time to be born.
Thinking maybe some of these books could play midwife…
Thanks for sharing your list =)
April 20th, 2010 at 5:07 am
It sounds like you definitely do have a book in you, Angelique! I would definitely recommend BIRD BY BIRD – it gets me motivated to write every time I read it. Good luck with your soon-to-be-born book!