More Books on the Craft of Writing
Posted by annastan on April 19th, 2010. Filed under: Books, Craft.As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, I love books on the craft of writing. A while back I did a post on five of my favorite writing books, but I’m always on the lookout for new resources. That’s why I’ve recently added a few more to my collection. I can’t wait to read them all!
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers – This book has been recommended to me so many times, I’m embarrassed it’s taken me so long to get a copy. But now that I have it, it’s at the top of my reading list.
The Fire in Fiction – I loved Donald Maass’s Writing the Breakout Novel, so when I read an excerpt from The Fire in Fiction, I knew I had to get the book. Maass takes the elements writers are always striving for, like high stakes and tension, and really breaks them down to examine how they work.
Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell – This one has been on my list for a while, but after reading The Art of War for Writers, I was craving more of Bell’s writing wisdom. Apparently, this is the number one bestselling writing book on Amazon.
What books (craft or otherwise) have you recently added to your collection?
April 19th, 2010 at 6:45 am
Beautiful.
April 19th, 2010 at 7:17 am
I read SELF-EDITING just last year and really enjoyed it. It’s a keeper.
April 19th, 2010 at 7:35 am
I loved THE FIRE IN FICTION! I also adore Maass’s WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL. It was such a great teaching tool on how to grow plot from character.
I also eally liked Elizabeth George’s WRITING AWAY, and Stephen King’s ON WRITING.
April 19th, 2010 at 9:07 am
I think SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS is a terrific resource and have been referring to it for years.
I can also recommend:
:: THE ART AND CRAFT OF STORYTELLING by Nancy Lamb (plus her CRAFTING STORIES FOR CHILDREN)
:: STEERING THE CRAFT by Ursula Le Guin
:: MASTERING FICTION WRITING by Kit Reed (this is probably OOP)
Have to check out THE FIRE IN FICTION…
Thanks, Anna!
April 19th, 2010 at 9:13 am
My last two additions were Maass’ The Fire in Fiction and The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller, by John Truby.
I haven’t read either of them, though. Yikes!
I loved Maass’ Writing the Breakout Novel, and I loved Lukeman’s The First Five Pages, and I found Self Editing for Fiction Writers to be really helpful as well as Swain’s, Techniques of a Selling Writer.
I also loved Zinsser’s On Writing Well and Stein’s Stein On Writing.
Great question!
April 19th, 2010 at 10:08 am
I’m currently reading Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. James Scott Bell’s The Art of War for Writers is next on my list! I’ll have to check out Plot and Structure. I love craft books on writing, too! I also love the inspirational ones like Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul. I’ve heard of Cup of Comfort for Writers, but I haven’t read it yet.
April 19th, 2010 at 10:16 am
I just finished CHARACTERS AND VIEWPOINTS by Orson Scott Card. It’s part of the same series as PLOT AND STRUCTURE I believe. And it was great!! Definitely one I’ll keep close by for reference!
April 19th, 2010 at 10:35 am
These all look great, Anna! I’m particularly interested in the Plot and Structure book. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks!
April 19th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Great list, thanks for posting!
April 19th, 2010 at 11:50 am
They all look like great resources. Thanks for the tip!
April 19th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I have The Art of War for Writers and The Fire in Fiction right now! Have started the first and am loving it. I’ll get the other you mentioned too, because I definitely want more from Bell. First Five Pages, Self-Editing, and Breakout Novel are other favorites. I LOVE books on writing!
April 19th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Haha, thanks Jon.
Caroline, I’m really looking forward to reading SELF-EDITING. I’ll definitely post about it once I do!
Robin, I read and loved ON WRITING but I’m not familiar Elizabeth George’s book – it’s going on the list!
Andrea, I love Lamb and Le Guin’s books – I haven’t read Reed’s book. Hopefully I’ll be able to find it. Thanks for the recommendation!
Sally, I keep hearing such great things about FIRST FIVE PAGES – I’ll definitely have to add it to my list!
April 19th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Laura, I haven’t read many inspirational books on writing but I certainly wouldn’t mind reading some! I’ll put both of those on my list.
Valerie, I looove CHARACTERS AND VIEWPOINT – I make my students read parts of it every semester. I can’t wait to read PLOT AND STRUCTURE.
You’re welcome, Lisa. Let me know which ones you find the most helpful.
Lydia and Julie, I’m glad these sound helpful. Thanks for stopping by!
Marcia, it sounds like we have similar craft book repertoires. If you come across any others you like, definitely let me know!
April 19th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I’d like to read Fire in Fiction – at some point. The writing journey never ends!
April 19th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
I recently found your blog through… somebody else’s blog (I think that’s how it happened, but my memory fails me). I added it to my links list. Great job on the content!
In terms of books on writing — “Writing in General and the Short Story in Particular” by Rust Hills — is very well written, well structured, and is generally helpful.
I kind of like (but don’t completely recommend spending money on it) Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan. It focuses on description and has a bunch of exercises to strengthen that area.
April 19th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Laura, the writing journey is definitely ongoing! The longer I’ve been at this writing thing, the more helpful I find craft books, especially if I’m feeling stuck.
Dominique, thanks so much for stopping by and for linking to my site! I hadn’t heard of Hill’s book, but it sounds interesting – thanks for the suggestion!
April 19th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Wow, I’m getting ready to post about Browne and King’s book. A terrific resource. I’ve just started Sandra Scofield’s THE SCENE BOOK and it looks promising. And, of course, Strunk and White belong in any serious writer’s collection.
April 20th, 2010 at 5:05 am
Kathryn,I’m excited to read your post on SELF-EDITING. I haven’t read Scofield’s book – thanks for the suggestion!
April 20th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Hey Anna! I’ve read the Self Editing one and could read it every year and learn from it. In fact, I think it’s about time!
have fun!
April 20th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Book twin, I’m a little late to this party but I wanted to share two books that may be of interest to you (if you haven’t gotten them already):
Booklife by Jeff Vandermeer
Writer’s Guide to Fiction by Elizabeth Lyon (she’s also the author of Manuscript Makeover — a really good craft book on revision).
April 21st, 2010 at 6:37 am
PJ, I love books that you can read over and over and get something new out of. I think I’m going to start SELF-EDITING today!
Hi Book Twin! How is it possible I haven’t read either of the books you suggested? They’re definitely going on my list!
September 23rd, 2011 at 4:01 am
If I commnuiacetd I could thank you enough for this, I’d be lying.