As a writer, it’s practically a requirement to hoard books; and if you know me, you know I’m a sucker for a good craft book. So today I’m going through my shelves and sharing some of my favorite books on writing that I return to over and over again. These books contain a mix of craft, motivation, and publishing industry intel.
So let’s get started!
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
If there is any book all writers should have in their toolbox, it’s Save the Cat! Writes a Novel. This book is a brilliant introduction to the 3-act story arc and walks you through the story, beat by beat. Plenty of novels do deviate from this, but this is a great place to start for all writers and can really help to hone and sharpen those first drafts.
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
One of my all time favorites for writing motivation! This book feels like sitting down with a more experienced writer friend and sharing your writing woes. It gives you a shoulder to lean on, a place to vent and find someone else who says “I’ve been through it too. Here’s what you do.”
Before and After the Book Deal by Courtney Maum
Writers pursuing traditional publishing, you NEED this book! Maum’s book demystifies the entire traditional publishing process—from writing, to querying, to submission, marketing, and beyond. I love having this one to return to whenever new publishing questions arise (and they always do).
On Writing by Stephen King
You’ve probably heard of this one—and there’s a reason it gets so much hype! As a fan of King, I loved reading this insightful book; part craft, part memoir. King’s story is incredibly motivating and helped push me to pursue writing when it was still just a fledgling dream for me.
Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin
I fell in love with Le Guin’s writing when I read the essay, “A Matter of Trust”. This book is broken down into mini lessons for the writer and then exercises to practice. A short but effective read guaranteed to sharpen your craft!
The Anatomy of Prose by Sasha Black
This one was recommended to me by a friend and I am so grateful I grabbed a copy of it! This book contains tips to make sure every sentence in your novel sings. For anyone editing at the line level, this book is a great one to have on your shelf.
The Daily Poet by Kelli Russell Agodon & Martha Silano
Here’s one for all you poets! The Daily Poet contains writing prompts for every day of the year. As a poet who is guilty of mood writing, this book has really helped me to hone my craft and make it into a habit. I love the variety in these prompts and the many different ways which they can go. Highly recommend!
Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury
Another writer I’ve always loved, Bradbury’s writing process has really inspired me. I particularly love the way he draws inspiration for his short stories and have found it works well to draw from what I know and create something new.
Did I miss any of your favorite craft books? Let me know in the comments! And subscribe to the blog if you want more information like this—next month I’ll share some of my favorite podcasts and resources for understanding the publishing industry.
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