15 MORE Books on Writing You Should Read

Following from the previous book recommendation post, here are even more you could check out.

Guest Post: Content and recommendations by Holly Moore.

Following on from my last post, where I recommended 15 books on writing, today I’m going to be recommending 15 more! 

Reading books on writing is not a prerequisite to becoming a good writer. Sometimes the best learning method is just figuring out what works and what doesn’t as you go along. However, they can give you a greater understanding of the writing process and provide helpful suggestions and advice. If you’re struggling with writer’s block, can’t figure out why your manuscript isn’t working or you aren’t seeing the sales you want, you’ve come to the right place! 

Like before, I haven’t read all of these yet, but they do come highly recommended!

If you don’t know where to start, read … The Modern Library Writers’ Workshop, by Stephen Koch. This all-inclusive handbook covers the entire writing process from finding inspiration to plot development to writing your first draft. Koch combines his own techniques with advice and tips from some of the world’s greatest writers, such as Virginia Woolf, Kurt Vonnegut and Gabriel García Márquez.

If you want to try outlining, read … Take Off Your Pants! Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing, by Libbie Hawker. In this guide, Libbie Hawker offers advice and guidance on how to successfully outline your books from developing strong character arcs and plotlines to avoiding pacing issues. A strong advocate for plotting, she attempts to show how this method can make you a more successful writer in the long run.

If you don’t have much spare time, read … Five Minutes to Success: Master the Craft of Writing, by D. W. Vogel and Jeri Fay Maynard. This book covers various aspects of writing from planning to editing to publishing all in five-minute chapters, with exercises and worksheets for each topic. If you have limited free time for reading, this is the book for you.

If you want to write a memoir, read … Write It All Down, by Cathy Rentzenbrink. In this book, the bestselling memoir writer shares her advice on how to push past fear and start putting your life down on paper. Featuring guidance from other writers, such as Dolly Alderton, Adam Kay and Candice Carty-Williams, as well as practical exercises to prompt you, this book is great for anyone interested in life writing.

If you write short stories, read … Writing Short Stories, by Courttia Newland and Tania Hershman. With information on the history of the form, tips from successful writers and tons of practical tips and advice, this is a definitive guide to writing short fiction.

If you’re an aspiring crime or thriller writer, read Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction, by Patricia Highsmith. In this genre-specific writing book, one of the most popular crime writers of all time shares her tips and insights into the world of writing suspense.

If you struggle to craft a compelling story, read … Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel, by Lisa Cron. In this book, Lisa Cron walks writers through an alternative way to outline and write their books, as opposed to pantsing or plotting. With a focus on using character motivations to drive the plot and hook the reader, this book provides a useful framework for writers just about to start a first draft.

If you struggle to create convincing characters, read … 13 Steps to Evil: How to Craft Superbad Villains, by Sacha Black. In this book, Sacha Black teaches writers how to create complex and believable antagonists, highlighting the common mistakes and clichés to avoid. Sacha Black’s other writing books include: The Anatomy of Prose, 8 Steps to Side Characters, and 10 Steps to Hero.

 

 

 

 

 

If you struggle with worldbuilding, read … 30 Days of Worldbuilding: An Author’s Step-by-Step Guide to Building Fictional Worlds, by A Trevena. Predominantly targeted at those writing fantasy,this guide seeks to help writers craft complete and believable worlds by breaking the task down into 30 manageable steps. A Trevena has also written other books on world creation including: How to Create History, From Sanctity to Sorcery, and How to Destroy a World

If you tell rather than show, read … Show, Don’t Tell, by Sandra Gerth. ‘Show, don’t tell’ is one of the most common pieces of writing advice. However, a lot of writers continue to struggle to apply the principle to their work. In Show, Don’t Tell, Sandra Gerth, an editor and best-selling author, aims to help writers craft vivid descriptions, handle backstory and describe character emotions. Sandra Gerth has also written a number of other books on writing including Write Great Beginnings, Point of View, Time Management for Writers and Goal Setting for Writers.

If you want to improve your grammar, read … Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wicked Good Prose, by Constance Hale. Targeted towards all writers, from students to professionals to songwriters to novelists, Constance Hale guides readers through basic grammar rules and offers tips on how to take your writing to the next level. Hale has also written Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch: Let Verbs Power Your Writing.

If you’re stuck in the revision stage, read … Story Fix, by Larry Brooks. Aimed at novelists and screenwriters, Story Fix is crammed with practical techniques to ‘reinvigorate’ and ‘resurrect’ lacklustre writing. It includes information on crucial storytelling elements, pacing, characterisation, structure, and more, in addition to real-life case studies of writers who ‘fixed’ their own work.

If you need guidance on the business side of writing, read … Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living, edited by Manjula Martin. This collection of interviews and essays from authors such as Roxane Gay, Nick Hornby, and Yiyun Li seeks to help writers get their heads around the money-making side of writing. It does this through an honest and comprehensive exploration of the often-fraught relationship between money and art. 

If you’re passionate about making the publishing industry more diverse, read Craft in the Real World, by Matthew Salesses. This book seeks to rethink fiction writing and workshopping through challenging Western notions of storytelling. While largely targeted towards writing teachers, with exercises and suggestions for syllabi, there is also guidance for writers. Salesses encourages writers to look at their work and the wider publishing industry through a more diverse lens. 

If you’re looking for a deep and thoughtful exploration of the power of writing, read The Naive and Sentimental Novelist, by Orhan Pamuk. From Nobel Prize winning author, Orhan Pamuk, comes a personal exploration of the art of novel writing which delves into the relationship between writer and reader, as well as considering how character, plot, and setting come together to create a believable fictional world.

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re looking for more recommendations, check out these posts: 15 Writing Books You Should Read, 6 More Things Every Writer Needs.

This post was written by blogger, Holly Moore.

Holly graduated from The Open University, after completing modules in science, history and creative writing. She has always loved consuming stories, whether through reading books or watching TV shows and films. She hopes to create her own stories in the future. 

Find her here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmPNXRtbL6m-RuzrysAW1VA

 

 

 

Disclaimer: These are suggestions by Holly and not personal recommendations from Kirsten. Please research before making any purchases. And remember, books from the library are free!

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