As writers, we’re always looking for ways to improve and hone our craft, right? One of the ways to do that is through books that either teach specific skills or give us information that will help us get to that next level in our writing journey.
This week for the Thursday Three, I’ll list three books I’ve personally found helpful. Feel free to leave your own suggestions in the comments.
1. Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide – This hefty book contains hundreds of markets where you can submit your work. Whether you write books, articles, poems, greeting card copy, fiction, or non-fiction, if you want to get paid for your writing (or even if you don’t care about the money but want to get your work in print), get your hands on a copy of this book. A must-have for every Christian writer!
2. Strunk & White’s Element of Style - Originally published in 1918, this book has seen several editions and is still a widely popular guide today. It’s a great reference to those common mistakes that trip us up. Word usage issues, rules of punctuation and grammar, principles of writing, and more.
3. Plot and Structure - Written by award-winning thriller author, James Scott Bell, this book offers clear instruction on plotting your novel. Includes techniques and exercises for writers of all levels.
Your turn! What writing books are on your shelf?
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13 Comments until now.
I’ve bought a few, but have only read one of them so far – and it was AWESOME! Stephen King’s “On Writing”. Not Christian (has a few “bad words”), but excellent writing advice. And if you’re a Stephen King fan, you get to know a lot about him.
I also have “Writing Fiction for Dummies” by Randy Ingermanson, which I’ve skimmed and read a couple chapters of. Really good for beginners like me.
And I can’t wait to read “Getting Into Character” by Brandilyn Collins. I’ve heard great reviews.
Thanks for the recommendations, Cat!
OK – this was the LAST straw. I FINALLY ordered Plot and Structure. It should ship tomorrow
(hehe)
ANYhow, Sally Stuart, “A Novel Idea” (AMAZING!) and a good thesaurus are my “go-to’s.” And I have a feeling “Plot & Structure” will be another of them.
I can testify that A Novel Idea is wonderful!
1. APA Writing Style
2. Christian Writers Market Guide 2010
3. 2010 Writer’s Market
4. Non-Fiction Book Proposals Anyone Can Write – Elizabeth Lyon
At the request of my mentor at CWG, I purchased the AP Stylebook.
1. Stephen King, “On Writing”
2. Natalie Goldberg, “Writing Down the Bones”
3. Anne Lamott, “Bird by Bird”
4. Ray Bradbury, “Zen in the Art of Writing”
5. James Scott Bell, “The Art of War for Writers”
All tremendous inspirations and practical. Even for me, a nonfiction narrative writer!
Great suggestions, Amy! Don’t know of Bird by Bird but have heard of the others.
- “On Writing Well”, William Zinsser
- “Writers on Writing”, James Watkins
- “Inventing the Truth”, William Zinsser
- “Bird by Bird”, Anne Lamott
- “The Chicago Manual of Style”
- “The Elements of Grammar” – M. Shertzer
“How Not to Write a Novel: 200 Classic Mistakes and How to Avoid Them–A Misstep-by-Misstep Guide” by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman
“Zen in the Art of Writing” by Ray Bradbury
“One Year Adventure Novel” by Daniel Schwabauer (technically a curriculum, but I’m learning a lot teaching it to my children and it is Christian!)
PoemCrazy by Susan Wooldridge
Bird by Bird by Ann Lamott
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
Lynda,
Writing a book. Graphs/ Illustrations included.
Do you know where it is offered to get free clipart for my book?
Thank you,
Sandy
I’m sorry, I don’t, Sandra. Maybe someone else will pop in and be able to help.