Helpful Writing Books

I recently took an informal survey on Twitter and asked writers to weigh in with their favorite writing craft books. In the span of 1 hour, I received approximately 40 suggestions. I've added more as people continue to share their favorites.

(If you click on the name of the book, it will take you to the Amazon page where you can read more about each book.)

• On Writing by Stephen King (this book was recommended the most)
• Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
• The Scene Book: A Primer for the Fiction Writer by Sandra Schofield
• The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman
• Beginnings, Middles, and Ends by Nancy Kress
• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
• Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell
• Revision & Self-Editing by James Scott Bell
• The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell
• Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
• Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass
• Fire In Fiction by Donald Maass
• Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
• Goal, Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon
• A Novel Idea by ChiLibris
• First Draft in 30 Days by Karen Wiesner
• Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
• Fiction-Writing For Dummies by Randy Ingermanson and Peter Economy
• The Creative License by Danny Gregory
• The Writer's Idea Book by Jack Heffron
• Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose
• Getting Into Character by Brandilyn Collins
• Elements of Style by Strunk and White
• The Oxford-American Writer's Theasaurus
• The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood
• The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller by John Truby
• Write Away by Elizabeth George
• Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain
• The Comic Toolbox by John Vorhaus
• Breathing Life Into Your Characters by Rachel Ballon
• Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
• Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint by Nancy Kress
• Sometimes the Magic Works by Terry Brooks
• Making a Literary Life by Carolyn See
• 45 Master Characters by Victoria Schmidt
• Scene & Structure by Jack Bickman
• Writing Dialogue by Tom Chiarella
• 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes by Jack Bickman
• Coaching the Artist Within by Ph.D. Eric Maisel
• Becoming a Writer by Dorthea Brande
• Writer's Workshop: A Guide to the Craft of Fiction by Stephen Koch
• Writing About Your Life by William Zinnser
• This Won't Take But a Minute, Honey by Steve Almond
• Between the Lines by Jessica Morrell
• War of Art by Steven Pressfield
• The Right to Write by Julia Cameron
• How I Write by Janet Evanovich
• Room to Write by Bonni Goldberg
• Take Joy: A Writer's Guide to Loving the Craft by Jane Yolen
• Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
• Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker
• Novelsmithing by David Sheppard
• Novelist's Boot Camp by Todd A. Stone
• The Synonym Finder by J.I. Rodale
• The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler

Disclaimer: I do not endorse all of the books on the list.

However, I've read quite a number of them and have many in my personal library. What I suggest is that you check the books out from the library first (most libraries will have them or be able to get them through inter-library loan). Then if you really like the book, buy it, re-read it, and mark it up.

In a recent blog post, Does Putting in the Time Really Matter? I discussed the importance of mastering basic fiction-writing techniques. I said this: The writers who are well on their way to publication are the ones who’ve put concerted time and energy into learning, studying, and practicing the craft of writing.

Many of these books were foundational in helping me learning the basics. I hope the list will be helpful to you too!

If there are any other writing craft books that have been especially helpful to you, please leave the book title and author name in the comments and I'll add it to the list.