By Brent McGregor
This is my list of the seven best reference books for creative writers on the craft of writing. The books on this list represent just some of the titles I have in my own personal library. Books that I myself have found immensely useful on my path as a journeyman writer. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any one of these books to new, or novice writers. Read-on – I hope they help take your story creations to a new level of excellence!
1. Plot & Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips Readers from Start to Finish
By James Scott Bell
Plot & Structure is an excellent primer on the subject of writing. It is the book I would recommend aspiring writers rush out and purchase right away, before all others, as it is simply the best introduction to what goes into constructing your own story creations. It doesn’t read like a textbook. Bell’s explanations are clear, concise, and entertaining. It contains a detailed break down of three-act story structure; helpful every-day tips on developing beginnings, middles, and ends (with real-life story examples); and advice on how to really make your scenes pop. Clever systems like ‘LOCK’ and ‘HIP’ that you will remember, and can immediately apply. A great and comprehensive resource, that is well worth multiple reads.
2. How to Write Dazzling Dialogue
By James Scott Bell
Good narrative should be interspersed with dialogue – and this book sets out all the rules and guidelines, the ‘Do s and Don’ts,’ of writing dazzling dialogue. It covers punctuation, attributions, action tags, craft secrets, dialects, and much more. Bell deftly demystifies a subject where there is often conjecture. Another excellent book by James Scott Bell!
3. The Fantasy Fiction Formula
By Deborah Chester
The Fantasy Fiction Formula is hefty guidebook by award winning American author Deborah Chester. Chester has written over 35 books, and was the early writing instructor of Jim Butcher (author of the popular Dresden Files series). I enjoyed the books refreshingly ‘keep it simple stupid’ approach, and was able to glean some useful pearls of wisdom I hadn’t found anywhere else. The chapters on formulating a story plan, and scene & sequel sequence were particularly insightful. Get this book! Like the forward by Jim Butcher says ‘SHUT UP AND DO WHAT DEBBIE TELLS YOU TO DO…She knows exactly what she’s talking about.’
4. The Emotions Thesaurus: A Writers Guide to Character Expression
By Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi
We would have all heard the writing guide of, ‘Show, don’t tell,’ by now. It is one of the most touted pieces of advice going around. It means that rather than simply telling the reader the character was ‘angry’ we instead convey emotion with action, and body language cues: with the ’flaring of nostrils,’ or with the ‘reddening of the face,’ for example. But how many of these character reactions can you think of on your own? That is why The Emotions Thesaurus is undoubtedly one of the more useful resources available to writers, as it helps prevent you from re-using the same tired old character expressions again and again. It is in a easy-to-use list format, broken up into sections by emotion, and has over a hundred entries. There are other books too in the series, but I use this one the most.
5. The Elements of Style
By William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White
The Elements of Style has been around for so long (since 1919) it has become an institution. At under a hundred pages, and sometimes affectionately referred to as ‘the little book,’ this pocket sized guide is definitely the smallest on this list. The book had its beginnings as a rough textbook hewn together by English professor William Strunk Jr,and later extended by student E.B. White. It elucidates on the proper usage of the English language, with a focus on grammar, syntax, form etc. , to help support precision of meaning and overall aesthetic quality. It explores active versus passive voice, pluralising singular nouns by adding the apostrophe ‘s,’ and so on. This one does read like a textbook though, so be forewarned.
6. Stephen King’s On Writing
By Stephen King
Part memoir, part ‘How To’ book, Stephen King’s On Writing makes for a thoroughly entertaining read. Although you won’t find any tips on outlining in this book – as King is famously a discovery writer, and is a major exponent of the character driven plot – it does have some wonderful anecdotes from the man’s life, the stories behind the stories, and some brilliant insights on the working habits of one of the world’s hardest working, and prolific writers. It is a must read for fans and non-fans alike!
7. Zen in the Art of Writing
By Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury, a luminary of the Science Fiction genre, and author of Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles etc. wrote Zen in the Art of Writing as a treatise (a love letter if you will) on the craft of writing. It is a collection of essays imbued with exuberance, and a passion for writing.Bradbury had a useful writing prompt – which he practiced daily – he made lists of nouns. It speaks more about ones muse, the source of ideas, and creativity. Designed to inspire. Here’s a book that will help to keep you motivated.
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