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The Elements of Storytelling for Writers |
How to Write Compelling Fiction -
Lynn Hightower, the 1994 Shamus Award winner for Best First Novel.
says "Peter Rubie itemizes the elements of storytelling with a clarity and panache
that make it a must for writers. This book will make you laugh, it will make you think,
and, best of all, it will make you a better writer." |
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What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers |
by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter, is a book for writers who like to learn by doing.
This excellent tool is packed with over 300 exercises to help writers sharpen their
skills in areas such as beginnings, perspective, plot, style, and even that loathesome
activity, rewriting. Each exercise includes an objective and samples showing how other
student writers completed the exercise. Many of these exercises can also be used as a
jumping off point when you're stuck -- pick one and before you know it, you're writing again. |
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How To Write A Damn Good Novel |
by James N. Frey, is an excellent introduction to the art of novel writing. It covers
all the basics: creating characters, viewpoint, conflict, climax, dialogue, and more.
And rest assured, it isn't a dry, boring grammar class you have to endure. You won't
have to diagram a single sentence - I promise. No, this book is laced with examples
and step-by-step advice that will help you understand and apply the principles discussed.
In fact, I liked it so much, that I bought the sequel when it came out. |
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How To Write A Damn Good Novel II |
by James N. Frey, is the second installment in this useful series. This book takes a
more in-depth look at techniques you can use to improve your fiction. Learn about the
fictive dream and how to induce it in your readers. Find out how to create characters
your readers will care about. Chapter 8: The Seven Deadly Mistakes, is a must-read. |
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Writing the Novel, from Plot to Print |
by Lawrence Block, has been out for some time, and on my bookshelf for nearly as long.
This nuts and bolts guide will walk you through the process of getting that first novel
down on paper (or into your computer). Author Lawrence Block is very candid and reassuring
- you'll find motivation and guidance in this book, but no false promises. |
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Writing the Blockbuster Novel |
by Albert Zuckerman. Talk about commercial advice, this book is chock-a-block with it.
It should be: it's written by an agent. If you're most concerned about the "art"
in your writing, skip this book. If you have big dreams and a commercial bent, it's
a worthwhile read. |
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Successful Scriptwriting |
by Jurgen Wolff & Kerry Cox is a book that I picked up when I was considering
having a go at a Deep Space Nine script. I never did write that script because I decided to resist the temptation to take the focus away from my other
writing pursuits. Nonetheless, this book is packed with advice about how to write and
pitch scripts for television shows and the movies, injcluding sitcoms, series, and
movies-of-the-week. This title combines both commercial and craft advice to help you write
that your script AND sell it. |
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The Magazine Article: How to think it, plan it, write it |
by Peter Jacobi, isn't a book I would have picked up on my own. Fortunately, it was
given to me. If you want to learn about quality (let me say that again - quality) article
writing, this is THE book. I turn to it every now and again when I need a dose of inspiration.
Using the techniques explained in these pages, you can take the most mundane excited about it,
and produce a piece of writing that reflects your energy. One more thing: this book is
substantive. You will not be reading the whole thing in one sitting. Your mind would just
explode from information overload. |
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The 30-Minute Writer: How To Write & Sell Short Pieces |
by Connie Emerson. This is a favorite of mine because it looks that modern excuse of the
time squeeze straight in the eye and blows it to pieces. This gem contains no less than
thirteen different types of marketable writing that you can produce in about half an hour.
Each type comes with a blueprint that lays out the suggested structure and helps you on your
way. I tried out several new forms of writing because of this book. And yes, I sold some of
the results. |
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Writing Successful Self Help and How To Books |
Midwest Book Review says: "From producing a salable proposal to
negotiating permissions, preparing a manuscript, and assessing a market, this reference
book provides an editor's view of what works - and what doesn't." |
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The Art of Creative Nonfiction |
A pioneer in the writing and teaching of nonfiction presents a practical guide to
composing creative nonfiction that covers the entire process--from initial psychological
preparation to marketing a finished piece. |
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The Copyright, Permission and Libel Handbook |
A Step-By-Step Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers. |
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The Writer's Market |
comes out every year from Writer's Digest. This is a good place to find niche publications
(book publishers and magazines) and to seek out new markets for your work. I buy one every
couple of years, but not every year. You can order the edition that comes with a CD
or the paperback (cheaper)! |
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Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, 1999-2000 : |
Who They Are! What They Want! And How to Win Them Over! is the latest in a pretty good
series of Market Guides from Jeff Herman.. Most notably, it includes agents, while the
Writer's Digest makes you purchase a separate book if you want those. It focuses on books,
not magazines. |
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The Elements of Style |
by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White should hold a place of honor on every writer's
bookshelf. I have several editions on mine. This thin book, which first appeared in 1959,
provides succinct and accurate advice on language usage, form, and style, and will prove
valuable for anyone who puts pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard). A special
section points out the proper use of commonly misused words - such as farther and further. |
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On Writing Well |
by William Zinsser, is nothing short of a classic. The book grew out of a course on
writing nonfiction that the author created and taught at Yale and has gone through
multiple editions. The language is more formal than most of the other books mentioned
here, but formality isn't always a bad thing, especially when it's laced with humour as
it is here. And within these pages, you'll find practical analyses of what makes good
writing, and how to get started producing your own - and a much more affordable writing
course than if you'd paid the tuition to attend it in person. This book belongs on any
shelf of serious reference works for writers. |
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How To Write A Book Proposal |
by Michael Larsen is a decent overview of the proposal process integral to the sale of
nonifiction books. You'll find out what elements need to be included in your proposal, how
to organize it, and how to pack your proposal with the stuff that makes an acquisitions
editor want it. I used this book in crafting the proposal for my book "Get Certified
and Get Ahead" (McGraw-Hill, March 1998) |
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The New York Public Library Desk Reference |
is so thick that it would make a good doorstop if you could bare to part with it long
enough. This tome contains the answers to the questions that reference librarians get asked
most often.Want to know the time difference between New York City and Sydney, Australia?
It's in here. So are major holidays around the world, shops bell signals, birth stones,
real estate terms, how to calculate your net worth, basic mathmatical forumlas, and even
a breakdown of the marks used by proofreaders. Oh, and did I mention, animal first aid,
wedding ettiquette, information on the world's major religions, and (you get the picture). |
isted below are some of the most
useful reference books for authors and writers. Learn to write better and
sell what you write with guides to writing, book publishers, literary agents,
publishing law, book contracts, and book proposals.