best books to learn creative writing

The 20+ Best Books on Creative Writing

If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I write a book?”, “How do I write a short story?”, or “How do I write a poem?” you’re not alone. I’m halfway done my MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts , and I ask myself these questions a lot, too, though I’m noticing that by now I feel more comfortable with the answers that fit my personal craft. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a Master’s of Fine Arts in Writing candidate, or even a college graduate, in order to soak up the great Wisdom of Words, as I like to call it. Another word for it is craft . That’s because there are so many great books out there on writing craft. In this post, I’ll guide you through 20+ of the most essential books on creative writing. These essential books for writers will teach you what you need to know to write riveting stories and emotionally resonant books—and to sell them.

I just also want to put in a quick plug for my post with the word count of 175 favorite novels . This resource is helpful for any writer.

Now, with that done… Let’s get to it!

What Made the List of Essential Books for Writers—and What Didn’t

So what made the list? And what didn’t?

Unique to this list, these are all books that I have personally used in my journey as a creative and commercial writer.

That journey started when I was 15 and extended through majoring in English and Creative Writing as an undergrad at UPenn through becoming a freelance writer in 2014, starting this book blog, pursuing my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts , and publishing some fiction and nonfiction books myself . My point here is not to boast, just to explain that these books have all helped me better understand and apply the craft, discipline, and business of writing over the course of more than half my life as I’ve walked the path to become a full-time writer. Your mileage my vary , but each of these books have contributed to my growth as a writer in some way. I’m not endorsing books I’ve never read or reviewed. This list comes from my heart (and pen!).

Most of these books are geared towards fiction writers, not poetry or nonfiction writers

It’s true that I’m only one human and can only write so much in one post. Originally, I wanted this list to be more than 25 books on writing. Yes, 25 books! But it’s just not possible to manage that in a single post. What I’ll do is publish a follow-up article with even more books for writers. Stay tuned!

The most commonly recommended books on writing are left out.

Why? Because they’re everywhere! I’m aiming for under-the-radar books on writing, ones that aren’t highlighted often enough. You’ll notice that many of these books are self-published because I wanted to give voice to indie authors.

But I did want to include a brief write-up of these books… and, well, you’ve probably heard of them, but here are 7 of the most recommended books on writing:

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron – With her guided practice on how to rejuvenate your art over the course of 16 weeks, Cameron has fashioned an enduring classic about living and breathing your craft (for artists as well as writers). This book is perhaps best known for popularizing the morning pages method.

The Art of Fiction by John Gardner – If you want to better understand how fiction works, John Gardner will be your guide in this timeless book.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott – A beloved writing book on process, craft, and overcoming stumbling blocks (both existential and material).

On Writing by Stephen King – A must-read hybrid memoir-craft book on the writer mythos and reality for every writer.

Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose – A core writing book that teaches you how to read with a writer’s eye and unlock the ability to recognize and analyze craft for yourself.

Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin – Many writers consider this to be their bible on craft and storytelling.

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg – A favorite of many writers, this book takes an almost spiritual approach to the art, craft, and experience of writing.

I’m aiming for under-the-radar books on writing on my list.

These books are all in print.

Over the years, I’ve picked up several awesome books on creative writing from used bookstores. Oh, how I wish I could recommend these! But many of them are out of print. The books on this list are all available new either as eBooks, hardcovers, or paperbacks. I guess this is the right time for my Affiliate Link disclaimer:

This article contains affiliate links, which means I might get a small portion of your purchase. For more on my affiliate link policy, check out my official Affiliate Link Disclaimer .

You’ll notice a lot of the books focus on the business of writing.

Too often, money is a subject that writers won’t talk about. I want to be upfront about the business of writing and making a living as a writer (or not ) with these books. It’s my goal to get every writer, even poets!, to look at writing not just from a craft perspective, but from a commercial POV, too.

And now on to the books!

Part i: the best books on writing craft, the anatomy of story by john truby.

For you if: You want to develop an instinctive skill at understanding the contours of storytelling .

All I want to do as a writer, my MO, is tell good stories well. It took me so long to understand that what really matters to me is good storytelling. That’s it—that’s the essence of what we do as writers… tell good stories well. And in The Anatomy of Story , legendary screenwriting teacher John Truby takes you through story theory. This book is packed with movie references to illustrate the core beat points in story, and many of these example films are actually literary adaptations, making this a crossover craft book for fiction writers and screenwriters alike.

How to read it: Purchase The Anatomy of Story on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

The art of memoir by mary karr.

For you if: You’re writing a memoir book or personal essays .

Nobody is a better person to teach memoir writing than Mary Karr, whose memoirs The Liar’s Club and Lit are considered classics of the genre. In The Art of Memoir , Karr delivers a master class on memoir writing, adapted from her experience as a writer and a professor in Syracuse’s prestigious MFA program. What I love about this book as an aspiring memoirist is Karr’s approach, which blends practical, actionable advice with more bigger-picture concepts on things like truth vs. fact in memoir storytelling. Like I said in the intro to this list, I didn’t include many nonfiction and poetry books on this list, but I knew I had to make an exception for The Art of Memoir .

How to read it: Purchase The Art of Memoir on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

The emotional craft of fiction by donald maass.

For you if: Plot isn’t your problem, it’s character .

From literary agent Donald Maass, The Emotional Craft of Fiction gives you the skill set you need to master emotionally engaging fiction. Maass’s technique is to show you how readers get pulled into the most resonant, engaging, and unforgettable stories: by going through an emotional journey nimbly crafted by the author. The Emotional Craft of Fiction is a must-have work of craft to balance more plot-driven craft books.

How to read it: Purchase the The Emotional Craft of Fiction on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

How to Write Using the Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson

For you if: You need a quick-and-dirty plotting technique that’s easy to memorize .

I first heard of the “Snowflake Method” in the National Novel Writing Month forums (which, by the way, are excellent places for finding writing craft worksheets, book recommendations, and online resources). In How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method , the Snowflake Method is introduced by its creator. This quick yet thorough plotting and outlining structure is humble and easy to master. If you don’t have time to read a bunch of books on outlining and the hundreds of pages that would require, check out How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method for a quick, 235-page read.

How to read it: Purchase How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

Meander, spiral, explode: design and pattern in narrative by jane alison.

For you if: You want to do a deep dive understanding of the core theory of story, a.k.a. narrative.

A most unconventional writing craft book, Meander, Spiral, Explode offers a theory of narrative (story) as recognizable patterns. According to author Jane Alison, there are three main narrative narratives in writing: meandering, spiraling, and exploding. This cerebral book (chock full of examples!) is equal parts seminar on literary theory as it is craft, and it will make you see and understand storytelling better than maybe any book on this list.

How to read it: Purchase Meander, Spiral, Explode on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

The modern library writer’s workshop by stephen koch.

For you if: You’re wondering what it means to be the writer you want to become .

This is one of the earliest creative writing books I ever bought and it remains among the best I’ve read. Why? Reading The Modern Library Writer’s Workshop echoes the kind of mind-body-spirit approach you need to take to writing. The Modern Library Writer’s Workshop doesn’t teach you the nuts and bolts of writing as much as it teaches you how to envision the machine. Koch zooms out to big picture stuff as much as zeroes in on the little details. This is an outstanding book about getting into the mindset of being a writer, not just in a commercial sense, but as your passion and identity. It’s as close as you’ll get to the feel of an MFA in Fiction education.

How to read it: Purchase The Modern Library Writer’s Workshop on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

Romancing the beat by gwen hayes.

For you if: You write or edit the romance genre and want a trusted plotting strategy to craft the perfect love story .

If you’re writing romance, you have to get Gwen Hayes’s Romancing the Beat . This book breaks down the plot points or “beats” you want to hit when you’re crafting your romance novel. When I worked as a romance novel outliner (yes, a real job), our team used Romancing the Beat as its bible; every outline was structured around Hayes’s formula. For romance writers (like myself) I cannot endorse it any higher.

How to read it: Purchase Romancing the Beat on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

Save the cat writes a novel by jessica brody.

For you if: You have big ideas for a plot but need to work on the smaller moments that propel stories .

Jessica Brody’s Save the Cat! Writes a Novel adapts Blake Snyder’s bestselling screenwriting book Save the Cat! into story craft for writing novels. Brody reworks the Save the Cat! methodology in actionable, point-by-point stages of story that are each explained with countless relevant examples. If you want to focus your efforts on plot, Save the Cat! Writes a Novel is an excellent place to go to start learning the ins and outs of what makes a good story.

How to read it: Purchase Save the Cat! Writes a Novel on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

Story genius by lisa cron.

For you if: You’re a pantser and are terrified at outlining yet also realize you might have a “plot problem .”

More than any other book, Lisa Cron’s Story Genius will get you where you need to go for writing amazing stories. Story Genius helps you look at plotting differently, starting from a point of characterization in which our protagonists have a clearly defined need and misbelief that play off each other and move the story forward from an emotional interior and action exterior standpoint. For many of my fellow MFA students—and myself— Story Genius is the missing link book for marrying plot and character so you innately understand the contours of good story.

How to read it: Purchase Story Genius on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

Wonderbook: the illustrated guide to creating imaginative fiction by jeff vandermeer.

For you if: You’re writing in a speculative fiction genre—like science fiction, fantasy, or horror—or are trying to better understand those genres.

Jeff VanderMeer’s Wonderbook is a dazzling gem of a book and a can’t-miss-it writing book for sci-fi, fantasy, and horror writers. This book will teach you all the skills you need to craft speculative fiction, like world-building, with micro-lessons and close-reads of excellent works in these genres. Wonderbook is also one to linger over, with lavish illustrations and every inch and corner crammed with craft talk for writing imaginative fiction (sometimes called speculative fiction). And who better to guide you through this than Jeff VanderMeer, author of the popular Southern Reach Trilogy, which kicks off with Annihilation , which was adapted into a feature film.

How to read it: Purchase Wonderbook on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

Writing picture books by ann whitford paul.

For you if: You’re looking to write picture books and/or understand how they work .

This book is the only one you need to learn how to write and sell picture books. As an MFA student studying children’s literature, I’ve consulted with this book several times as I’ve dipped my toes into writing picture books, a form I considered scary and intimidating until reading this book. Writing Picture Books should be on the shelf of any writer of children’s literature. a.k.a. “kid lit.”

How to read it: Purchase Writing Picture Books on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

Writing with emotion, conflict, and tension by cheryl st. john.

For you if: You need to work on the conflict, tension, and suspense that keep readers turning pages and your story going forward .

Mmm, conflict. As I said earlier, it’s the element of fiction writing that makes a story interesting and a key aspect of characterization that is underrated. In Writing with Emotion, Tension, and Conflict , bestselling romance author Cheryl St. John offers a masterclass on the delicate dance between incorporating conflict, the emotions it inspires in characters, and the tension that results from those two factors.

How to read it: Purchase Writing with Emotion, Tension, and Conflict on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

Part ii: the best books on the productivity, mfas, and the business of writing, 2k to 10k: writing faster, writing better, and writing more of what you love by rachel aaron.

For you if: You struggle to find the time to write and always seem to be a chapter or two behind schedule .

If you’re struggling to find time of your own to write with competing obligations (family, work, whatever) making that hard, you need Rachel Aaron’s 2k to 10k . This book will get you in shape to go from writing just a few words an hour to, eventually, 10,000 words a day. Yes, you read that right. 10,000 words a day. At that rate, you can complete so many more projects and publish more. Writers simply cannot afford to waste time if they want to keep up the kind of production that leads to perpetual publication. Trust me, Aaron’s method works. It has for me. I’m on my way to 10k in the future, currently at like 4 or 5k a day for me at the moment.

How to read it: Purchase 2k to 10k on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

The 3 a.m. epiphany by brian kitele.

For you if: You’re going through writer’s block, have been away from writing for a while, or just want to loosen up and try something new .

Every writer must own an an exercise or prompt book. Why? Because regularly practicing your writing by going outside your current works-in-progress (or writer’s block) will free you up, help you plant the seeds for new ideas, and defrost your creative blocks. And the best book writing exercise book I know is The 3 A.M. Epiphany by Brian Kiteley, an MFA professor who uses prompts like these with his grad students. You’ll find that this book (and its sequel, The 4 A.M. Breakthrough ) go beyond cutesy exercises and forces you to push outside your comfort zone and learn something from the writing you find there.

How to read it: Purchase The 3 A.M. Epiphany on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

The 4-hour workweek by timothy ferriss.

For you if: You think being a writer means you have to be poor .

The 4-Hour Workweek changed my life. Although not strictly about writing in the traditional sense, The 4-Hour Workweek does an excellent job teaching you about how passive income can offer you freedom. I first heard about The 4-Hour Workweek when I was getting into tarot in 2013. On Biddy Tarot , founder Brigit (author of some of the best books on tarot ) related how she read this book, learned how to create passive income, and quit her corporate job to read tarot full time. As a person with a total and permanent disability, this spoke to me because it offered a way out of the 9-to-5 “active” income that I thought was the only way. I picked up Ferriss’s book and learned that there’s more than one option, and that passive income is a viable way for me to make money even when I’m too sick to work. I saw this come true last year when I was in the hospital. When I got out, I checked my stats and learned I’d made money off my blog and books even while I was hospitalized and couldn’t do any “active” work. I almost cried.; I’ve been working on my passive income game since 2013, and I saw a return on that time investment when I needed it most.

That’s why I’m recommending The 4-Hour Workweek to writers. So much of our trade is producing passive income products. Yes, your books are products! And for many writers, this means rewiring your brain to stop looking at writing strictly as an art that will leave you impoverished for life and start approaching writing as a business that can earn you a real living through passive income. No book will help you break out of that mindset better than The 4-Hour Workweek and its actionable steps, proven method, and numerous examples of people who have followed the strategy and are living the lifestyle they’ve always dreamed of but never thought was possible.

How to read it: Purchase The 4-Hour Workweek on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer’s Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book by Courtney Maum

For you if: You’re serious about making a living as a writer and publishing with a Big 5 or major indie publisher .

Courtney Maum’s Before and After the Book Deal addresses exactly what its title suggests: what happens after you sell your first book. This book is for ambitious writers intent on submission who know they want to write and want to avoid common pitfalls while negotiating terms and life after your debut. As many published authors would tell you, the debut is one thing, but following that book up with a sustainable, successful career is another trick entirely. Fortunately, we have Maum’s book, packed with to-the-moment details and advice.

How to read it: Purchase Before and After the Book Deal on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

Diy mfa: write with focus, read with purpose, build your community by gabriela pereira.

For you if: You’re stressed out wondering if you really need an MFA .

The MFA is under this header “business of writing” because it is absolutely an economic choice you make. And, look, I’m biased. I’m getting an MFA. But back when I was grappling with whether or not it was worth it—the debt, the time, the stress—I consulted with DIY MFA , an exceptional guide to learning how to enrich your writing craft, career, and community outside the structures of an MFA program. I’ve also more than once visited the companion site, DIYMFA.com , to find a kind of never-ending rabbit hole of new and timeless content on the writing life. On DIYMFA.com and in the corresponding book, you’ll find a lively hub for author interviews, writing craft shop talk, reading lists, and business of writing articles.

How to read it: Purchase DIY MFA on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

Mfa vs. nyc by chad harbach.

For you if: You’re wondering how far an MFA really gets you—and you’re ready to learn the realities of the publishing world .

About a thousand years ago (well, in 2007), I spent the fall of my sophomore year of college as a “Fiction Submissions and Advertising Intern” for the literary magazine n+1 , which was co-founded by Chad Harbach, who you might know from his buzzy novel, The Art of Fielding . In MFA vs NYC , Harbach offers his perspective as both an MFA graduate and someone deeply enmeshed in the New York City publishing industry. This thought-provoking look at these two arenas that launch writers will pull the wool up from your eyes about how publishing really works . It’s not just Harbach’s voice you get in here, though. The book, slim but mighty, includes perspectives from the likes of George Saunders and David Foster Wallace in the MFA camp and Emily Gould and Keith Gessen speaking to NYC’s writing culture.

How to read it: Purchase MFA vs. NYC on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

Scratch: writers, money, and the art of making a living – edited by manjula martin.

For you if: a) You’re worried about how to balance writing with making a living; b) You’re not worried about how to balance writing with making a living .

Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living is alternately one of the most underrated and essential books on writing out there. This collection of personal essays and interviews all revolve around the taboo theme of how writers make their living, and it’s not always—indeed, rarely—through writing alone. Some of the many contributing authors include Cheryl Strayed ( Wild ), Alexander Chee ( How to Write an Autobiographical Novel ), Jennifer Weiner ( Mrs. Everything ), Austin Kleon ( Steal Like an Artist ), and many others. Recently a young woman asked me for career advice on being a professional freelance writer, and I made sure to recommend Scratch as an eye-opening and candid read that is both motivating and candid.

How to read it: Purchase Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

Write to market: deliver a book that sells by chris fox.

For you if: You don’t know why your books aren’t selling—and you want to start turning a profit by getting a real publishing strategy

So you don’t have to be an indie author to internalize the invaluable wisdom you’ll find here in Write to Market . I first heard about Write to Market when I first joined the 20Booksto50K writing group on Facebook , a massive, supportive, motivating community of mostly indie authors. Everyone kept talking about Write to Market . I read the book in a day and found the way I looked at publishing change. Essentially, what Chris Fox does in Write to Market is help you learn to identify what are viable publishing niches. Following his method, I’ve since published several successful and #1 bestselling books in the quotations genre on Amazon . Without Fox’s book, I’m not sure I would have gotten there on my own.

How to read it: Purchase Write to Market on Amazon and add it on Goodreads

And that’s a wrap what are some of your favorite writing books, share this:, you might be interested in.

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Sarah S. Davis is the founder of Broke by Books, a blog about her journey as a schizoaffective disorder bipolar type writer and reader. Sarah's writing about books has appeared on Book Riot, Electric Literature, Kirkus Reviews, BookRags, PsychCentral, and more. She has a BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Library and Information Science from Clarion University, and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

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Creative Writing Books: A Curated 2024 Updated List

If you’re a writer looking to sharpen your skills, you’ll want to check out these 20 best books about creative writing. Whether you’re a seasoned novelist or just starting out, these books on creative writing offer valuable insights, exercises, and inspiration to help you unleash your creativity and improve your writing craft. From classic guides to contemporary must-reads, this list has something for every aspiring writer. Let’s dive into the world of creative writing books and discover the essential tools for honing your literary talent.

• 1 20 Best Books About Creative Writing
• 2 On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
• 3 Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
• 4 The Elements of Style
• 5 Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
• 6 The Writing Life
• 7 Zen in the Art of Writing
• 8 The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
• 9 Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within
• 10 The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
• 11 The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life
• 12 The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life
• 13 The Writing Book: A Workbook for Fiction Writers
• 14 The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers
• 15 The Writing Life: Writers on How They Think and Work
• 16 The Creative Writer’s Survival Guide: Advice from an Unrepentant Novelist
• 17 The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing
• 18 The Art of X-Ray Reading: How the Secrets of 25 Great Works of Literature Will Improve Your Writing
• 19 Steering the Craft: A Twenty-First-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story
• 20 Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting
• 21 The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles
• 22 Conclusion

20 Best Books About Creative Writing

See Best Deals

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

By stephen king.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft is a captivating book about the art of storytelling and the life of a prolific writer, Stephen King . In this compelling memoir, King shares his personal journey as a writer, from his early struggles to his eventual success. The book provides invaluable insights into the creative process, offering practical advice on honing one’s craft and developing a unique voice. King’s honest and straightforward narrative style makes this book about creative writing both informative and entertaining. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a fan of King’s work, this creative writing book is a must-read for anyone interested in the art and craft of storytelling.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

By anne lamott.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott is a beloved book on creative writing that offers practical advice and humorous insights for aspiring writers. Lamott shares her personal experiences and wisdom on the creative process, tackling self-doubt, and finding inspiration. The book about creative writing encourages writers to embrace their imperfections and to approach their work with patience and perseverance. With its warm and candid tone, this creative writing book is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to navigate the challenges of the writing life while honing their craft. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, Bird by Bird provides a wealth of encouragement and guidance for the creative journey.

The Elements of Style

By william strunk jr. and e.b. white.

The Elements of Style, written by William Strunk Jr. and later revised and expanded by E.B. White, is a classic book on creative writing. This timeless guidebook is essential for anyone looking to improve their writing skills. It covers everything from grammar and punctuation to style and composition, providing clear and practical advice for crafting clear and impactful prose. The book about creative writing is concise and easy to follow, making it a valuable resource for writers of all levels. Whether you’re a student, professional writer, or just someone who wants to communicate more effectively, The Elements of Style is an indispensable tool for honing your craft and mastering the art of storytelling.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

By elizabeth gilbert.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert is a captivating book about creative writing. Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love, explores the mysterious and inspiring world of creativity in this book. She shares her wisdom and insights on how to live a creative life without succumbing to fear. With a blend of personal anecdotes, practical advice, and profound observations, Gilbert encourages readers to embrace their curiosity, let go of perfectionism, and pursue their creative passions wholeheartedly. Whether you’re a writer, artist, or simply someone who craves a more fulfilling and imaginative life, this creative writing book offers a fresh perspective on the creative process and the courage required to bring your ideas to life. Big Magic is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance on their creative journey.

The Writing Life

By annie dillard.

The Writing Life by Annie Dillard is a captivating book on creative writing that takes readers on a journey into the world of writing. Dillard offers a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of the writing life, drawing from her own experiences as a renowned author. Through beautiful prose and insightful observations, she explores the craft of writing, the solitary nature of the creative process, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. This book about creative writing is filled with wisdom and inspiration, making it a must-read for aspiring writers and anyone interested in the art of storytelling. Dillard’s eloquent reflections will resonate with anyone who has ever grappled with the complexities of the writing life, making it an essential addition to any writer’s library.

Zen in the Art of Writing

By ray bradbury.

Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury is a timeless classic that delves into the essence of the creative process. This book about creative writing is a collection of essays that offer insights, encouragement, and practical advice for aspiring writers. Bradbury’s passion for storytelling and his unique approach to the craft of writing are evident in every page, making it a must-read for anyone interested in honing their craft. Through his vivid prose and heartfelt anecdotes, he inspires readers to embrace their creativity and pursue their writing dreams with zeal. Zen in the Art of Writing is a captivating and enlightening guide that celebrates the joy and magic of the written word, making it an essential addition to any writer’s bookshelf.

The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

By julia cameron.

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is a transformative book on creative writing that guides readers on a spiritual journey to unlock their creativity. Cameron presents a 12-week program designed to help individuals overcome creative blocks, self-doubt, and fear, and tap into their innate creativity. Through a series of exercises and reflections, readers learn to cultivate a sense of curiosity, playfulness, and self-expression to unleash their creative potential. With its practical techniques and insightful wisdom, this book about creative writing has been a go-to resource for artists, writers, and anyone seeking to live a more creative and fulfilling life. The Artist’s Way is a must-read for anyone looking to reignite their passion for creative expression and reconnect with their artistic side.

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within

By natalie goldberg.

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg is a beloved book on creative writing that has inspired countless writers to tap into their creativity and find their authentic voice. In this classic book about creative writing, Goldberg shares her wisdom and experience as a writer and writing teacher, offering practical advice and insightful exercises to help writers overcome self-doubt and unleash their creativity. Through her candid and engaging writing style, she encourages readers to embrace the practice of writing as a way of life, emphasizing the importance of discipline, observation, and fearlessness. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, this creative writing book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their connection to the written word and cultivate a more meaningful and fulfilling writing practice.

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

By steven pressfield.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a powerful and inspiring book about the challenges and obstacles that creative individuals face in their pursuit of artistic expression. Pressfield delves into the concept of ‘resistance’ – the internal force that prevents us from reaching our true creative potential. Through a series of insightful essays, he provides valuable advice on how to overcome this resistance and break through the barriers that hinder our creativity. This book is a must-read for anyone struggling with their creative endeavors, as it offers practical strategies and encouragement to help readers win their inner creative battles. Whether you’re a writer, artist, musician, or any other type of creative professional, The War of Art is an essential resource for understanding and conquering the obstacles that stand in the way of your artistic fulfillment.

The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life

By twyla tharp.

The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp is a must-read for anyone looking to enhance their artistic practice. This insightful book on creative writing delves into the habits and routines that can cultivate creativity for a lifetime. Twyla Tharp, a renowned choreographer, shares her personal experiences and provides practical advice on how to harness creativity through discipline and dedication. She emphasizes the importance of establishing a daily routine and developing rituals to spark inspiration. Tharp’s unique perspective and engaging writing style make this a valuable resource for both aspiring and experienced creators. Whether you’re a writer, artist, or musician, this book about creative writing will inspire you to tap into your creative potential and establish a sustainable creative practice.

Recommended for you:

The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life

The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life by Julia Cameron is a compelling and inspiring book about creative writing. Cameron, known for her bestseller The Artist’s Way, encourages readers to embrace their natural creativity and overcome the fear of writing. She provides practical exercises and insights to help aspiring writers unlock their potential and find their unique voice. The book explores the joy of creative writing and the importance of self-expression, offering guidance on how to cultivate a regular writing practice and overcome common obstacles. With warmth and wisdom, Cameron invites readers to explore the power of writing and discover the transformative impact it can have on their lives. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, The Right to Write is a valuable resource for anyone looking to unleash their creativity and embrace the writing life.

The Writing Book: A Workbook for Fiction Writers

By kate grenville.

The Writing Book: A Workbook for Fiction Writers by Kate Grenville is a comprehensive guide for aspiring writers looking to enhance their storytelling skills. This book on creative writing offers practical exercises and insightful advice to help writers develop their craft and create compelling works of fiction. Grenville’s approach is both informative and engaging, providing valuable techniques for character development, plot structure, and narrative voice. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned writer, this book about creative writing is a valuable resource for honing your skills and unleashing your creativity. With its practical exercises and expert guidance, The Writing Book is a must-have for anyone looking to elevate their storytelling abilities and produce captivating fiction.

The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers

By john gardner.

The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers by John Gardner is a classic book on creative writing that provides insightful guidance for aspiring writers. Gardner, a renowned novelist and writing instructor, delves into the essential elements of storytelling, such as character development, plot structure, and narrative craft. Through clear and practical advice, he offers valuable tips for honing one’s writing skills and creating compelling fiction. This book about creative writing is a treasure trove of wisdom for writers of all levels, as Gardner’s engaging prose and thoughtful analysis illuminate the art of storytelling. Whether you’re a novice writer seeking guidance or a seasoned wordsmith looking to refine your craft, The Art of Fiction is an indispensable resource for anyone passionate about the creative writing process.

The Writing Life: Writers on How They Think and Work

By marie arana.

The Writing Life: Writers on How They Think and Work by Marie Arana is a captivating book about creative writing that offers a rare glimpse into the minds of some of the world’s most renowned authors. Through a series of intimate interviews, Arana explores the writing process and the various techniques and rituals that different writers employ to bring their stories to life. The book delves into the creative process and provides valuable insights and inspiration for aspiring writers. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the writing craft and the inner workings of the literary mind. The Writing Life is a treasure trove of wisdom and advice from some of the literary world’s most esteemed figures, making it an essential addition to any creative writing book collection.

The Creative Writer’s Survival Guide: Advice from an Unrepentant Novelist

By john mcnally.

The Creative Writer’s Survival Guide: Advice from an Unrepentant Novelist by John McNally is a treasure trove for aspiring writers. This book on creative writing is filled with valuable tips and insights on the craft of storytelling, character development, and navigating the publishing industry. McNally, an accomplished novelist, shares his wisdom with wit and candor, making this a must-read for anyone serious about honing their writing skills. Whether you’re struggling with writer’s block or seeking guidance on the business side of publishing, this book about creative writing has got you covered. McNally’s unapologetic approach to the art of writing is both refreshing and inspiring, making this creative writing book a valuable resource for writers at any stage of their journey.

The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing

By alice laplante.

The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing by Alice LaPlante is a comprehensive and insightful book on the craft of storytelling. LaPlante offers practical advice and exercises for writers of all levels, covering the essential elements of fiction, such as character development, plot structure, and dialogue. What sets this book about creative writing apart is its emphasis on the psychology of storytelling, delving into the motivations and intentions behind a writer’s creative choices. LaPlante’s engaging and accessible style makes this creative writing book a valuable resource for aspiring writers looking to hone their skills and deepen their understanding of the storytelling process. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer, The Making of a Story provides the tools and inspiration needed to embark on a literary journey.

The Art of X-Ray Reading: How the Secrets of 25 Great Works of Literature Will Improve Your Writing

By roy peter clark.

The Art of X-Ray Reading by Roy Peter Clark is a captivating book on creative writing that offers a unique approach to dissecting and understanding literature. Through the analysis of 25 classic works of literature, Clark reveals the hidden techniques and secrets that great writers use to captivate their readers. By delving into the subtext, structure, and language of these works, he provides valuable insights and practical tips that can help writers improve their own craft. This creative writing book is not just about creative writing; it’s about learning to read like a writer, to see beyond the surface and uncover the deeper layers of meaning and technique. Whether you’re an aspiring writer looking to enhance your skills or a literature enthusiast eager to gain a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling, The Art of X-Ray Reading is a must-read.

Steering the Craft: A Twenty-First-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story

By ursula k. le guin.

Steering the Craft is a renowned book on creative writing written by the legendary Ursula K. Le Guin . This comprehensive and engaging book about creative writing provides valuable insights and techniques for navigating the complexities of storytelling. Le Guin’s expertise and passion for the craft shine through as she delves into the essential elements of writing, such as voice, style, and point of view. Through thought-provoking exercises and illuminating examples, she guides writers on a transformative journey through the sea of story, empowering them to hone their skills and craft compelling narratives. Whether you’re a novice writer or a seasoned wordsmith, this creative writing book is an indispensable resource that will inspire and elevate your storytelling prowess.

Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting

By robert mckee.

Robert McKee’s “Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting” is a renowned book on creative writing that delves into the art of crafting compelling narratives. McKee provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of storytelling, exploring the essential elements of substance, structure, and style. With a focus on screenwriting, the book offers valuable insights into character development, plot construction, and dialogue, making it an indispensable resource for writers looking to enhance their storytelling skills. McKee’s engaging writing style and in-depth analysis of successful storytelling make this book about creative writing a must-read for aspiring writers and seasoned authors alike. Whether you’re a screenwriter, novelist, or simply passionate about the craft of storytelling, “Story” is a creative writing book that will inspire and inform your writing journey.

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a powerful and inspiring book on creative writing that delves into the internal battles faced by every artist. Pressfield identifies the enemy as Resistance, which manifests as self-doubt, procrastination, and fear of failure. He presents practical strategies to overcome Resistance and unleash one’s creative potential. The book offers a no-nonsense approach to tackling the obstacles that stand in the way of artistic expression, making it a must-read for anyone struggling with their creative endeavors. With its profound insights and motivational tone, this book about creative writing is a valuable resource for writers, artists, and anyone seeking to break through their inner creative battles and fulfill their creative potential.

In conclusion, the world of Creative Writing is vast and diverse, and there are countless books about creative writing that can inspire and guide both aspiring and seasoned writers. Whether you’re looking for practical advice, creative prompts, or insight into the writing process, the 20 books listed in this article are excellent resources to add to your reading list. From classic texts to contemporary guides, there’s something for every writer to explore and learn from. Happy reading and happy writing!

Which Creative Writing book is best?

The best book on Creative Writing can vary with personal preference, but three widely recommended titles are:

• On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King ,
• Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott ,
• The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White .

Each offers valuable insights and could be a great starting point.

What are the best books to learn about Creative Writing?

For those looking to learn about Creative Writing, there is a wealth of literature that can provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Some of the most highly recommended books include:

• The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White ,
• Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert ,
• The Writing Life by Annie Dillard ,
• Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury ,
• The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron ,
• Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg ,
• The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield ,
• The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp

These books offer a range of perspectives on Creative Writing, covering various aspects and approaches to the subject.

What are the best books on Creative Writing?

The best books on Creative Writing include:

• The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life by Julia Cameron ,
• The Writing Book: A Workbook for Fiction Writers by Kate Grenville ,
• Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury .

Each offers unique insights into the subject. While these books on the topic of Creative Writing are highly regarded, it’s important to note that any list of ‘best’ books is subjective and reflects a range of opinions.

What are the best Creative Writing books of all time?

Choosing the best Creative Writing books of all time can vary depending on who you ask, but seven titles that are often celebrated include

• The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp ,
• and The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life by Julia Cameron .

Each of these books has made a significant impact in the field of Creative Writing and continues to be influential today.

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11 Best Creative Writing Books (Fiction & Non-Fiction Picks)

Writing is a craft, and like any craft, it requires practice. Aspiring writers need to hone their skills to express their ideas and imagination in a meaningful way. Creative writing books can be a great instrument in helping newbie writers grow and succeed. In this article, we will highlight the best creative writing books for aspiring writers, with fiction and non-fiction genres shown separately below.

Why Creative Writing Books Are Essential for Aspiring Writers

Aspiring writers sometimes struggle to find their voice and develop their skills. It’s essential to understand that writing is a lifelong learning process. Creative writing books can offer guidance and insights into the craft, providing an opportunity for writers to expand their knowledge and develop their skills. These books can help you learn writing techniques, inspire your creativity, and guide you through the publishing process.

Enhancing your writing skills

Have you ever read something and became mesmerized by the prose? Acclaimed authors have developed their writing skills through years of practice. Yet, with the right tools and guidance, aspiring authors can master these skills much faster. Some of the best creative writing books offer insights on grammar and style that can enhance your writing skills.

For example, sifting through “ The Elements of Style ” by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White can help in grammar and guide you in using figures of speech appropriately. This classic book teaches you how to structure your sentences and essays, ideal for writers looking to add a polished finish to their writing skills. Similarly, “ On Writing Well ” by William Zinsser guides writers on how to develop their voice, rhythm, and flow – which are all vital elements in improving writing skills.

Another excellent book that can help you enhance your writing skills is “ Bird by Bird ” by Anne Lamott. This book is full of practical advice and exercises that can help you develop your writing skills. Lamott’s humorous and engaging style makes it an enjoyable read, making it easier to digest the information and apply it to your writing.

Expanding your imagination

Creative writing books not only help you develop your writing skills, but they can also expand your imagination, which is the heart of any great piece of writing. They allow you to explore different worlds and narratives, learn how to describe settings and characters, and master the art of symbolism and metaphor. A great example of a book that can help with this is “ Writing Down the Bones ” by Natalie Goldberg. In this book, Goldberg shares effective techniques to free your mind of any mental barriers and open up your imagination. Through her prompts and writing exercises, Goldberg encourages writers to explore their creative ideas and urges them to take their writing to new heights.

Another book that can help you expand your imagination is “ The Creative Habit ” by Twyla Tharp. Tharp is a renowned choreographer, but her book is not just for dancers. It’s a practical guide to cultivating creativity in any field, including writing. Tharp shares her methods for developing creative habits, such as setting aside time for creativity and finding inspiration in unexpected places.

Learning from the experts

One of the best ways to improve your writing is to read works from successful authors. However, in addition to reading books, you can also learn from the writers themselves by reading their experiences and insights on writing. Through their personal journeys, published writers can offer insight into the industry and what it takes to become a successful author.

For instance, the book “ The Writing Life ” by Annie Dillard delves into the raw and honest realities of being a writer. It’s a must-read for aspiring writers looking for inspiration and guidance, as Dillard offers a unique perspective on the craft of writing. Similarly, “ The Art of Memoir ” by Mary Karr details how to write vivid memoirs, with honest and sometimes painful hints of Karr’s own journey.

Another book that can offer insights into the publishing industry is “ On Writing” by Stephen King. In this memoir, King shares his journey to becoming a successful writer and offers practical advice on writing and publishing. King’s candid and straightforward approach makes it an entertaining and informative read.

Overall, creative writing books are essential for aspiring writers who want to develop their skills, expand their imagination, and learn from successful authors. With the right guidance and tools, you can improve your writing and take your craft to the next level.

Top Fiction Writing Books

Writing fiction is an art that requires skill, creativity, and dedication. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer, there are always ways to improve your craft. Reading books on writing can be a great way to gain new insights and techniques that can help you become a better writer. Here are the top 5 fiction writing books that every aspiring writer should read:

“On Writing” by Stephen King

“ On Writing ” by Stephen King is a must-read for any aspiring writer. King shares his personal journey as a writer, from his early struggles to his eventual success. He provides practical advice on everything from grammar and style to the importance of reading and revision. King’s candid and humorous writing style makes this book an enjoyable read that will leave you feeling inspired and motivated to write.

“Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott

In “ Bird by Bird ,” Anne Lamott offers a refreshing and honest perspective on the writing process. She emphasizes the importance of taking things one step at a time and encourages writers to embrace their imperfections. Lamott’s witty and relatable anecdotes will make you feel like you’re chatting with a friend who understands the struggles of being a writer.

“The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

“ The Elements of Style ” is a classic writing guide that has stood the test of time. Written by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White, this book offers practical advice on grammar, style, and usage. It’s a concise and easy-to-read guide that will help you improve your writing skills and make your prose more polished and professional.

“Writing Down the Bones” by Natalie Goldberg

If you’re looking for a book that will help you tap into your creativity, “ Writing Down the Bones ” is the perfect choice. Natalie Goldberg’s book is a collection of short essays that offer practical advice on writing and creativity. She encourages writers to let go of their inhibitions and write freely, without worrying about perfection. Goldberg’s exercises and prompts will help you develop a daily writing practice that can unlock your full creative potential.

“The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield

“ The War of Art ” is a book that every writer should read. Steven Pressfield’s book is a powerful manifesto on the creative process and the obstacles that writers face. He identifies the internal forces of resistance that can prevent writers from pursuing their dreams and offers practical advice on how to overcome them. Pressfield’s book is a call to action for writers who want to take their craft to the next level.

Reading these books will not only improve your writing skills but also provide you with the inspiration and motivation you need to keep writing. Remember, writing is a journey, and every step you take will bring you closer to your goal of becoming a successful writer.

Top Non-Fiction Writing Books

If you’re looking to improve your non-fiction writing skills, you’re in luck. There are many excellent books out there that can help you sharpen your craft and take your writing to the next level. Here are five of the best non-fiction writing books, each with its unique insights and tips.

“The Art of Memoir” by Mary Karr

“ The Art of Memoir ” by Mary Karr is a must-read for anyone interested in writing memoirs. Karr is a master of the genre, and she draws on her own experiences to provide invaluable guidance on how to craft compelling and vivid stories. In this book, Karr explores the dynamics of memory, the challenges of writing about real people, and the importance of honesty and vulnerability in memoir writing. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting, “The Art of Memoir” is an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their memoir writing skills.

“The Writing Life” by Annie Dillard

“ The Writing Life ” by Annie Dillard is a classic book on the challenges and rewards of being a writer. Dillard shares her own experiences and insights, offering honest and encouraging guidance to anyone looking to make a career out of writing. In this book, Dillard explores the difficulties and struggles involved in the writing process, as well as the joys and rewards of creating something new. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced writer, “The Writing Life” is an inspiring and insightful read.

“On Writing Well” by William Zinsser

“ On Writing Well ” by William Zinsser is one of the best books out there on writing non-fiction. Zinsser lays out guidelines for clear, concise writing, using excellent examples and insights to help writers craft engaging and compelling pieces. In this book, Zinsser covers everything from grammar and syntax to style and voice, offering practical tips and advice for anyone looking to improve their non-fiction writing skills.

“The Right to Write” by Julia Cameron

“ The Right to Write ” by Julia Cameron is an excellent resource for anyone looking to develop a consistent writing habit. Cameron offers practical tips and exercises to help writers find their voice and develop their writing skills. In this book, Cameron explores the importance of cultivating a writing practice, overcoming writer’s block, and finding inspiration in everyday life. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer, “The Right to Write” is an inspiring and practical guide to the writing life.

“The Writer’s Journey” by Christopher Vogler

“ The Writer’s Journey ” by Christopher Vogler is an essential guide for anyone looking to craft engaging non-fiction. Vogler teaches writers how to develop character arcs, build tension, and create compelling stories that keep readers engaged from beginning to end. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a journalistic piece, or any other type of non-fiction, “The Writer’s Journey” is a valuable resource for learning the essential elements of storytelling.

So there you have it – five of the best non-fiction writing books on the market today. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced writer, these books offer invaluable insights and tips for improving your craft and taking your writing to the next level. So pick up a copy, start reading, and get ready to take your writing to new heights!

The Verdict

There you have it, the best creative writing books for aspiring writers out there. Whether you’re passionate about writing fiction or non-fiction, these books offer valuable tips and insights into how to approach the craft. These books aren’t magical solutions to becoming a writer but are incredibly useful aids in the ongoing process of developing your skills and finding your voice. Investing time in studying these books is worth it for anyone looking to grow and develop as a writer.

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Best Books on Creative Writing

Written by Sam Constance Hemmings

21 january 2024, creative writing.

This post may include affiliate links. That means we may earn a commission if you buy through recommended links. See our full disclaimer policy . 

Whether you’re an experienced writer or a beginner, there’s always something new to discover about creativity and storytelling. That’s where books on creative writing come in.

Reading books about creative writing is a great way to broaden your knowledge and get insights into both the technical and philosophical sides of story. Plus, they can motivate, inspire and ignite your imagination. 

Here, I’ve curated a list of the best creative writing books that are sure to take your craft to the next level. Covering a diverse range of approaches, from practical guidelines to personal anecdotes from revered authors, these literary gems are clear creativity winners. Let’s dive in!

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

By stephen king.

Blending autobiography and writing guide, this book delves into King’s writing journey, revealing his challenges, inspirations and techniques. From focusing on the importance of reading to the art of crafting compelling narratives, ‘On Writing’ is a must-read for both King fans and writers looking to improve their craft.

By Elizabeth Gilbert

This delightful book is filled with heartfelt anecdotes and personal insights. Gilbert unpacks the concept of creativity throughout, outlining the attitudes, approaches and habits we need to live our most creative lives. The book presents a concept that I still think about regularly: ideas are living entities and choose you to write them.

zen in the art of Writing

By ray bradbury.

If you’re an aspiring writer, you’d have heard about the legendary author, Ray Bradbury. Did you know he was a student of Zen? Bradbury found inspiration in Zen philosophy and often incorporated it into his writing, like being present and trusting your intuition. This book is not just about writing, it’s also about unleashing your creativity and imagination

Into The Woods

By john yorke.

Yorke explores the creative brilliance behind our favourite fairy tales and how the storytelling structure of these timeless tales can be applied to modern-day writing. The book is a treasure trove of creative insights and an essential read for writers, covering archetypes, character arcs, setting and plot twists.

By Jeff VanderMeer

This remarkable book is overflowing with creativity and will have you bursting with inspiration in no time. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a beginner in the world of writing, this guide will take you on an artistic journey filled with colourful graphics, practical advice and imaginative storytelling.

The Artist's Way

By julia cameron.

Looking to unleash your creative potential? Or have you been stuck in a creative rut, unable to come up with new ideas? If so, you might want to pick up this iconic book. It’s helped artists tap into their inner creativity and find their unique voice, featuring exercises to overcome creative blocks and morning pages to clear your mind.

Writing Down the Bones

By natalie goldberg.

This book teaches you how to unleash your creativity and let your words flow onto paper, as well as how to overcome writer’s block, find your voice and hone your skills. It will inspire you to cultivate a lifelong habit of writing and let you discover your unique voice. 

Bird by Bird

By anne lamott.

This is an excellent resource for any writer looking to enhance their creativity. Lamott encourages writers to focus on writing the first draft and not worry about perfection, take time to observe and embrace one’s unique voice. Ultimately, the book helps you discover the joys of creativity and improve your craft.

The Art of Fiction

By john gardner.

In The Art of Fiction, Gardner has so much to offer writers, from his creative writing exercises to his advice on character development, authenticity and narration. Gardner encourages you to take risks and explore the many ways that imagination can influence storytelling.

Steering the Craft

By ursula k. le guin.

Discover how to improve your writing skills by learning from the masterful techniques of one of the greatest science fiction writers, Ursula K. Le Guin. Focusing on structure, language and dialogue, Le Guin offers practical exercises and advice to help writers of all levels achieve their goals.

The Emotion Thesaurus

By becca puglisi and angela ackerman.

Want something to spark your creativity and accurately portray your characters’ emotions ? Good news, there’s a tool that can help: The Emotion Thesaurus. This book provides writers with a comprehensive guide of emotions, body language and sensory cues to help master the art of emotion and bring your characters to life.

Characters and Viewpoint

By orson scott car.

Orson Scott Card, renowned sci-fi and fantasy writer, approaches characters and viewpoints in an interesting way. Rather than building his characters from scratch, Card takes existing archetypes and gives them a unique twist to make them memorable. There’s lots to learn from Orson Scott Card’s creativity. Why not apply it to your own writing?

The Writer's Journey

By christopher vogler.

This book offers a comprehensive guide for writers looking to tap into their creativity and create stories that are both engaging and impactful. One of Vogler’s central ideas is how every story is essentially a hero’s journey, and he outlines the fundamental elements of a successful narrative. It’s an ideal book for anyone who wants to create a compelling story (that would be all of us, right?).

The Anatomy of Story

By john truby.

This book has helped many writers understand the architecture of a great story. From creating multi-dimensional characters to developing a plot, Truby helps you to enhance your creativity and write better stories.

Story Genius

By lisa cron.

This book is perfect for writers looking to unlock their creative potential and approach writing in a whole new way. Cron’s approach to writing centres around the idea that our brains are wired for storytelling. So if you’re a writer struggling to put pen to paper, give Story Genius a read and see how it can transform your approach to writing.

Writer & Founder

Sam is a writer and editor from the South of England with over five years of experience as a Content Manager, helping clients perfect their copy.

She has a degree in English Literature and Language, which she loves putting to work by working closely with fiction authors. When she’s not working on manuscripts, you can find her in the woods with her partner and dog, or curling up with a good book.

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Essential Books for Writers

The Center for Fiction

Maybe calling our list "Essential Books for Writers" is a bit of a stretch. We know that there are many opinions on what makes great writing, and what works for one person may not work for the next. Can you imagine Ernest Hemingway, Flannery O'Connor, and Charles Dickens debating about the right way to write? But we wanted to give you some options and inspiration on your path to whatever a successful life as a writer looks like to you. We hope you'll find your essential guide in our list. Happy reading and writing!

By Stephen King

Published by Scribner

Leave it to the literary rock star to compose a craft book that’s as entertaining as a good novel. “This is a short book because most books about writing are filled with bullshit,” King writes. What follows is a witty, practical, and sometimes poignant guide that is refreshingly devoid of the aforementioned BS. King relates his personal story of becoming a writer, then offers a “toolkit” of clear advice about everything from dialogue and descriptive passages to revisions and the head game. And there’s more: tips for beginning writers on submitting work for publication, a mark-up of one of King’s own manuscripts, and a reading list. You might not be awake at 3 a.m. turning these pages, but we promise  On Writing  will open your eyes to essential tricks of the trade.

Still Writing

By Dani Shapiro

Published by Grove/Atlantic

Dani Shapiro’s book,  Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life , is a perfect walk through an imperfect process. She shares the tried and true rules that some aspiring writers may want to hear, like using the five senses, sticking to a work schedule, and avoiding clichéd characters; but it is the places where Shapiro acknowledges the ambiguity of the process that stand out. Peppered with personal history and insight into how and where she created novels like  Black and White  as well as acclaimed memoirs  Devotion  and  Slow Motion , Shapiro gives us a road map to writing with one simple direction at its heart: Keep writing. The rules she lays out are meant to be broken; no life-story is more worthy of being written than any other; no process (unless it involves surfing the Web instead of actually writing) is wrong. Yes, Dani Shapiro is still writing, and because she possesses that all-important need to create, it seems she will be doing so for quite some time.

On Moral Fiction

By John Gardner

Published by HarperCollins

John Gardner’s  On Moral Fiction , by now a well-known classic, is as relevant in its exploration of the obligations of literature as when it was first published in 1979. Gardner discusses art and criticism, concluding that the artist has a responsibility to produce “moral” works for the sake of society. “Art discovers, generation after generation, what is necessary to humanness,” says Gardner. By linking literature to such elemental ideas as immortality and death, entropy and truth, Gardner dramatizes the act of writing itself, coloring literature and criticism with such vitality and excitement that it is hard not to become exhilarated. “Art gropes,” Gardner says. “It stalks like a hunter lost in the woods, listening to itself and to everything around it, unsure of itself, waiting to pounce.” You might say that some of his ideas are outrageous or unconventional, but none of them lack the ability to provoke us.

First You Write

By Joni Rodgers

It’s fitting that Joni Rodgers’s  First You Write: The Worst Way to Become an Almost Famous Author and the Best Advice I Got While Doing It  is available only as an e-book. Rodgers’s writes with wit and candor not only about her circuitous route to becoming a  New York Times bestselling memoirist ( Bald in the Land of Big Hair , a searingly funny account of her journey through cancer) and a critically acclaimed small-press novelist ( Crazy for Trying ;  Sugar Land ), but also about her pioneering adventures in self-publishing on Kindle. Rodgers’s willingness to experiment (isn’t that what artists do?) and to turn preconceived publishing notions on their ear is wonderfully refreshing, and her whip-smart observations will keep you turning (virtual) pages.

The Forest for the Trees

By Betsy Lerner

Published by Penguin

Betsy Lerner’s  The Forest for The Trees  begins as a psychological compendium of the writer’s life; written to the writer, with love. Lerner diagnoses writers: the ambivalent, the natural, the neurotic, and as we relate to aspects of each, we are delivered through an embarrassing adolescence of our own writerly growth, discovering who we were, are, and might better be. Through humorous and often moving anecdotes and a wealth of quotable quotes, we sweep through the personal and into the political landscape of the literary industry. Like all good books, Lerner’s reflects the reader (as writer) back to herself at every moment. She morphs between midwife and editor, weaving stories that teach us how best to birth our own.

The Writing Life

By Annie Dillard

In the years since its original publication, Annie Dillard’s  The Writing Life  has become a must-read for aspiring writers of all walks. Perhaps this is because her approach to the creative process manages a kind of golden ratio, a balance of magic and pragmatism that continues to reveal its depths to writers of the 21st century. Plainly, this is not a field guide. Dillard does not draw a tidy map. She does the opposite, acknowledging the unknown and unknowable wilderness that every writer must face. “The line of words is a miner’s pick, a wood carver’s gouge, a surgeon’s probe. You wield it, and it digs a path you follow. Soon you find yourself deep in new territory. Is it a dead end, or have you located the real subject? You will know tomorrow, or this time next  year.” A master in the art of illumination, she focuses on the edges of big ideas. The resulting work is as mystifying as it is enduring.

Writing Past Dark

By Bonnie Friedman

In  Writing Past Dark , Bonnie Friedman shines a light on the hidden ways we mess ourselves up—with envy, fear, distraction, and other self-defeating habits of mind. “Successful writers are not the ones who write the best sentences. They are the ones who keep writing,” she says. “They are the ones who discover what is most important and strangest and most pleasurable in themselves, and keep believing in the value of their work, despite the difficulties.” With warmth and candor, Friedman offers insights into surmounting those tricky obstacles.

The Elements of Style

By William Strunk & E.B. White

Of the hundreds of volumes written about the art and craft of writing,  The Elements of Style  by William Strunk and E.B. White is the elegant granddad. This slim volume offers no touchy-feely solutions for writer’s block, no inspirational exercises, and no musings on the writing life. Instead, it contains clear, concise rules for writing well, delivered with panache. Whether you strive for formal excellence or stylistic innovation, whether you’re a first-time author or have a string of publications to your name, there’s something here to learn—or gladly rediscover.

By Robert McKee

Robert McKee (the renowned screenwriting guru whose real-life teaching persona was portrayed by Brian Cox in the film  Adaptation ) is required reading, but not just for screenwriters. He illustrates good plotting and structure that can make your novels or short stories as gripping as your favorite film. In Story , McKee structures his advice by first broadly stating a principle of writing, then expounding on different ways it can be applied, with examples from all kinds of scripts. His pearls of wisdom have been legendary in the Hollywood world, and they’ll certainly stick in your head after you’re through this book. Whether you’re writing for the screen or the page, this fantastic book will help you break your work down to the core of why we write fiction in the first place: the story.

Making Shapely Fiction

By Jerome Stern

Published by W. W. Norton

It’s easy, when one is far enough along in the “writing life,” to assume that a manual won’t have much to offer beyond technical guidance and fluffy prompts. But Stern’s wise and thorough little book should be as indispensable to the master of the form as the student. Like Stern himself, who was the head of the Creative Writing Program at Florida State University for many years, it takes a brass tacks approach to fiction, one that can be read straight through if you want to bone up on the basics or in bits and pieces as inspiration is needed. The “shapes” in question are sixteen storytelling archetypes which Stern breaks down in the book’s first section, followed by a tongue-in-cheek section on whether or not to write what you know, and finally a glossary of terms “from Accuracy to Zig-Zag.” This may all sound like stuff you already know, but to read them again in Stern’s irreverent voice is like revisiting fairy tales from your childhood and discovering all the dirty parts that went over your head. You’ll want to dig back into your own discarded ideas box and sculpt something new.

Steering the Craft

By Ursula K. Le Guin

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Le Guin has published two books about writing. The more recent of these,  Steering the Craft  (1998), is intended for experienced writers, the ones, she says, who “blow all Rules of Writing to bits.” It offers exercises and advice on storytelling, point of view, and grammar. For the younger author, there is her 1979 volume,  The Language of the Night , filled with inspirational essays on science fiction and fantasy, that are no less rigorous than the later book. “In art,” she observes, “‘good enough’ is not good enough.”

Discover Our Fiction, Essays & More

Building Characters is a Piece of (Layer) Cake

Writing and Madness

Think Outside the Book

When Working on Your Writing Doesn't Look Like Writing

From Scratch

Interviewing for Fiction

The Writer's Trove

Something to Do with Work as Play: David Foster Wallace and “The Nature of the Fun”

Keeping Up the Pace

Scenes & Summary

An Unfunny Essay About Humor

Say Yes to Obsession

How to Steal Stuff

Writing to the Tension

How Walter White Can Make You a Better Writer

Inventing Time

Three-Dimensional Writing

How to Get Out of the Slush Pile

Playing With Status

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Nonfiction Books » Language » Writing Books

The best books on creative writing, recommended by sophie king.

The author and creative writing teacher tells us where to go for tips on finding your voice, grabbing the reader's attention and getting published

Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande

The Maeve Binchy Writers' Club by Maeve Binchy

Wannabe a Writer? by Jane Wenham-Jones

How to Write for Children by Louise Jordan

Rewriting by David Micheal Kaplan

1 Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande

2 the maeve binchy writers' club by maeve binchy, 3 wannabe a writer by jane wenham-jones, 4 how to write for children by louise jordan, 5 rewriting by david micheal kaplan.

S hall we start with the oldest book? Tell us about the “Dorothea Brande” .

When you’re a writer you’ve the feeling you’re someone who lives in your own world. Every now and then you come across someone who thinks the same way as you and it’s very illuminating. One of the things that really struck me about this book is what Brande says about writing and the morning, which is when I write best. I do a few things like getting my son up and sort of obvious practical stuff and then I’m not always able to sit and write as I’d like because I have other writing jobs, some of which are out of the home. But Dorothea describes this almost hypnotic state that writers are in during the morning. She says this is the time that many people write best. When you’re in this slightly trance-like state, if you have to answer a phone call or do something else first thing, it can take that away. Another of the chapters I like very much is about reading as a writer. She says you’ll often find that at first the only way to read as a writer is to go over everything twice. She says to first read as you did in the days when you had no responsibility to a book but to enjoy it. When you’ve finished she advises putting the book aside for a while and then writing a synopsis of what you’ve just read. Next say what you did and didn’t like. This will help you work out what you can do with your own book. So obviously not plagiarising but looking at the way that it’s constructed and seeing whether any scenes stand out in your mind. It’ll help you recognise some of your own weaknesses.

In the book Brande listed particular writers to read to improve your own writing. It was published in 1934. Would you add anyone to that list today? Perhaps someone you feel has helped you?

Let’s move on to the Binchy book then.

Sounds useful. Which book would you like to talk about next?

“Wannabe a Writer” by Jane Wenham-Jones. Jane’s a friend of mine and there’s a foreword by Katie Fforde, another friend. We all know each other through something called the Romantic Novelists’ Association where published authors give advice to those who are not published. So Jane is well-versed in sharing her knowledge. She talks about what it was like for her to become a writer and how it might be for other people and if people think they’ve got a book in them how to know if it’s a good book. She goes into good discipline, how to write when there’s no time, plotting, whether to plan or not, growing a novel in a folder, all this sort of stuff, so it’s very, very practical. She’s a great character Jane. She’s a novelist and a journalist. Her book also gives loads of tips from other authors, agents and publishers: where to start, how to finish, will anyone publish it and so on.

Would you agree it’s quite humorous, with all her drinking antics, talk of “writers’ bottom”…

Tell us about “How to Write for Children and Get Published” .

And now to your last book, “Rewriting: A Creative Approach to Writing Fiction”.

This is a text book really that’s been around for donkey’s years but it’s extremely useful and absolutely packed with good advice on things such as effective openings, the teaser and the grabber, saying: ‘You have to interest readers to propel them out of the opening.’

There’s a paragraph here I think is very important: ‘You have finished the first draft, it’s a mess you know but that’s ok and there it sits. Maybe you put it aside for a few days or weeks or months. Now you can approach it with fresher, more objective eyes.’ It is vital to do this, I heartily recommend it. While it is important not to immediately go through it again, I don’t believe you should leave it too long because you can lose your connection with it. Leaving some time before revising means you can get ideas for your work that you wouldn’t have had before.

It’s a very positive approach to revision because some people hate revision. Actually, I’ve learnt to love it.

December 14, 2012

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Sophie King

A journalist for more than 25 years, Jane Bidder writes fiction under the pen-name Sophie King. She is a frequent contributor to national British newspapers and magazines, including the Times and Good Housekeeping , and has authored a number of non-fiction books. She teaches creative writing at Oxford University, is writer-in-residence at a high-security prison and has recently published her fifth novel, The Wedding Party .

We ask experts to recommend the five best books in their subject and explain their selection in an interview.

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5 best books on writing for beginners and beyond

Whether you’re starting out in creative writing or looking to fine-tune your writing craft, there are a wealth of reference books out there..

Here are five that I find invaluable:

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers – Renni Browne and Dave King

The first time I flicked through Self-Editing for Fiction Writers , I was unimpressed. A chapter on Show Don’t Tell? Pleeeeeease. Are you also going to tell me not to use adverbs ?

Then I actually read the chapter on Show Don’t Tell and realised I’d never fully understood Show Don’t Tell before. Every chapter of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers is like that.

Renni Browne and Dave King explain the fundamentals of writing in a way that’s clear, comprehensive and yet also concise.

Having a problem with POV? Check this book. Dialogue a bit dodgy? Check this book.

I refer to this book at least once a month. I also recommend it to fellow writers more than any other writing book.

The Story Grid – Shawn Coyne

While Self-Editing for Fiction Writers is about the nuts and bolts of writing, The Story Grid zooms you upwards 26,000ft. Shawn Coyne’s book is all about helicopter-view, big-picture storytelling.

It’s also the solution to the hardest question you’ll have as a writer, “Why don’t people find my fiction compelling?”

(Trust me, I’ve been there.)

Shawn Coyne details narrative arcs and genre beats, and gives writers a framework to begin editing (truly editing, not polishing) their novel.

I am not kidding when I say that The Story Grid method was the only way I was able to make it through the final rewrite of my debut thriller, Dead Ringer .

On Writing – Stephen King

Ever noticed how many creative writing books are by writers you’ve never heard of?

This is the reason I rate Stephen King’s On Writing . Love him or hate him, you can’t argue with his success.

Some of King’s advice I agree with, some I don’t (King is far more of a pantser than I will ever be), but there’s plenty to chew over.

Most cheering, perhaps, is the account of King’s journey to publication and success. It’s a reminder of how much of this life is perseverance .

Writing Down the Bones – Natalie Goldberg

Writing Down the Bones is the book I return to when I need a shot of inspiration. Creative writing books can be dry. “Do this. Don’t do this.”

Natalie Goldberg, by contrast, is your effervescent fairy godmother. With chapter titles like “Writing is not a McDonald’s Hamburger”, Writing Down the Bones is all about learning to love the creative process.

Goldberg’s philosophy is that writing is a type of meditation and sessions of “freewriting”, where you write and write and write without stopping, can unleash your creativity.

This isn’t the way I write, typically, but it’s a good way of battling writer’s block or forcing a start to a new project when you feel overwhelmed.

2k to 10k: How to write faster, write better, and write more of what you love – Rachel Aaron

If Writing Down the Bones is airy-fairy, 2k to 10k is just-the-facts-ma’am. It’s also the craft book that best describes the way I write. If ever I find myself floundering, it’s usually because I’ve strayed from Rachel Aaron’s triangle .

Aaron’s story is pretty incredible: as a new mother with limited time to write and deadlines looming, she had to figure out a way to write a lot, fast. I doubt I will ever be cracking 10,000 words a day like Aaron, but by using her strategies, I easily started boosting my daily word count by 500 words or more.

What are those strategies? Write during your most creative hours; plan your stories with a detailed outline; figure out what you’re going to write ahead of time (daydreaming is better done when queueing at the bank, not at your desk; plot holes are better untangled in note form, not when you’re halfway through a scene); and pack your novel full of things you can’t wait to write.

Which writing craft books do you come back to time and again? Let me know your recommendations in the comments.

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Thank you for these recommendations. I just got fired for the first time in my life! Instead of being down about it, I thought I’d use it to finally write a book. I also just found out I am going to be a grandma and would love to be a stay at home Gammy! Any other advice? Bless you.

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100 Best Creative Writing Books of All Time

We've researched and ranked the best creative writing books in the world, based on recommendations from world experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more

A Memoir of the Craft

Stephen King | 5.00

Mark Manson I read a bunch of books on writing before I wrote my first book and the two that stuck with me were Stephen King’s book and “On Writing Well” by Zinsser (which is a bit on the technical side). (Source)

Jennifer Rock If you are interested in writing and communication, start with reading and understanding the technical aspects of the craft: The Elements of Style. On Writing Well. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. (Source)

Benjamin Spall [Question: What five books would you recommend to youngsters interested in your professional path?] On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft by Stephen King, [...] (Source)

See more recommendations for this book...

Bird By Bird

Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Anne Lamott | 4.88

Susan Cain I love [this book]. Such a good book. (Source)

Timothy Ferriss Bird by Bird is one of my absolute favorite books, and I gift it to everybody, which I should probably also give to startup founders, quite frankly. A lot of the lessons are the same. But you can get to your destination, even though you can only see 20 feet in front of you. (Source)

Ryan Holiday It was wonderful to read these two provocative books of essays by two incredibly wise and compassionate women. [...] Anne Lamott’s book is ostensibly about the art of writing, but really it too is about life and how to tackle the problems, temptations and opportunities life throws at us. Both will make you think and both made me a better person this year. (Source)

The War of Art

out of 5 stars4,70 | 4.76

James Altucher When a writer or an entrepreneur, or a manager, or an employee, or a…whatever…sits down to get to work, he or she is often met by “the resistance”. The excuses that come up: I can’t do this. I am too old. I don’t have enough money. I’m scared. “The War of Art” is the guide to getting through that block. The comfort zone is papered up and cemented shut by our excuses. Learn to blast through that... (Source)

Seth Godin Also hard to find on audio. I find Steve's voice to be fascinating, and even before I knew him, I was fascinated by listening to him speak his own work. The War of Art is one of those books, at least for me when I finally was exposed to it, I said, 'Why wasn't I informed? Why did it take this long for this book to land on my desk?'... You need to be clear with yourself about what you are afraid... (Source)

Brian Koppelman Talks about resistance. (Source)

The Elements of Style

William Jr. Strunk | 4.57

Tobi Lütke [My] most frequently gifted book is [this book] because I like good writing. (Source)

Bill Nye This is my guide. I accept that I’ll never write anything as good as the introductory essay by [the author]. It’s brilliant. (Source)

The Hero With a Thousand Faces

Joseph Campbell | 4.57

The first popular work to combine the spiritual and psychological insights of modern psychoanalysis with the archetypes of world mythology, the book creates a roadmap for navigating the frustrating path of contemporary life. Examining heroic myths in the light of modern psychology, it considers not only the patterns and stages of mythology but also its relevance to our lives today--and to the life of any person seeking a fully realized existence. Myth, according to Campbell, is the projection of a culture's dreams onto a large screen; Campbell's book, like Star Wars , the...

The first popular work to combine the spiritual and psychological insights of modern psychoanalysis with the archetypes of world mythology, the book creates a roadmap for navigating the frustrating path of contemporary life. Examining heroic myths in the light of modern psychology, it considers not only the patterns and stages of mythology but also its relevance to our lives today--and to the life of any person seeking a fully realized existence. Myth, according to Campbell, is the projection of a culture's dreams onto a large screen; Campbell's book, like Star Wars , the film it helped inspire, is an exploration of the big-picture moments from the stage that is our world. It is a must-have resource for both experienced students of mythology and the explorer just beginning to approach myth as a source of knowledge.

Ray Dalio The book I’d give [every graduating senior in college or high school] would be [...] Joseph Campbell’s 'Hero of a Thousand Faces'. It's little bit dense but it’s so rich, so it’s a good one. (Source)

Darren Aronofsky [I'm] totally part of his cult. Because I believe in that hero’s journey. (Source)

Kyle Russell Book 28 Lesson: Embedded in human psychology (and the resulting symbolism we find compelling) is a wish for our struggles to be meaningful, for our suffering to have value, for our effort to pay off for ourselves and those we love - and to then be recognized for it. https://t.co/lWgr4k7d8Y (Source)

On Writing Well

The Classic Guide To Writing Nonfiction

William Zinsser | 4.55

Tim O'Reilly On Writing Well, by William Zinsser. I wouldn't say this book influenced me, since my principles of writing were established long before I read it. However, it does capture many things that I believe about effective writing. (Source)

Derek Sivers Great blunt advice about writing better non-fiction. So inspiring. (Source)

The Writer's Journey

Mythic Structure for Writers

Christopher Vogler | 4.50

Darren Aronofsky It’s the Bible for screenwriters. I think it’s the best book on how to write a screenplay ever written. It helped me get through so many roadblocks as a writer. (Source)

Writing Down the Bones

Freeing the Writer Within

Natalie Goldberg | 4.47

Brie Code @gamesandbowties Oh I love that book! And am intrigued by mystic poetry and would love to see it on Twitter 😇 (Source)

Writing Tools

50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer

Roy Peter Clark | 4.47

The Artist's Way

Julia Cameron | 4.46

Anand C STARTING FROM AUTHENTICITY: by observing, showing humility and being grateful - I started being open to what’s in the sub-conscious more (30+ sessions in). Speaking your truth is a powerful result of this. One great book to help explore this. https://t.co/sOAgAHhWsO (Source)

Emma Gannon Instead of all these fast paced books saying: ‘Here’s how to be amazing, here’s how to get a side hustle, here’s how to hustle, hustle, hustle.’ This is the total opposite. It’s about slowing right down and connecting with yourself again. (Source)

Don't have time to read the top Creative Writing books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

• Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
• Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
• Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.

The Emotion Thesaurus

A Writer's Guide to Character Expression

Becca Puglisi | 4.38

Save the Cat

The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need

Blake Snyder | 4.37

Eric Weinstein [Eric Weinstein recommended this book on Twitter.] (Source)

Bill Liao The human world occurs in language so best get good at it! (Source)

Neville Medhora It takes you through 11 different 'archetypes' of screenplays you can write, and the exact elements each needs to be a great story. (Source)

Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting

Robert McKee | 4.35

Gotham Writers' Workshop: Writing Fiction

The Practical Guide From New York's Acclaimed Creative Writing School

Gotham Writers' Workshop | 4.33

The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction

Jeff VanderMeer, Jeremy Zerfoss | 4.33

Becoming a Writer

Dorothea Brande, John Gardner | 4.33

Sophie King This book will help you work out what you can do with your own book. (Source)

Andrew Cowan Because creative writing has now taken off and has become this very widespread academic discipline it is beginning to acquire its own canon of key works and key texts. This is one of the oldest of them. It’s a book that almost anyone who teaches creative writing will have read. They will probably have read it because some fundamentals are explained and I think the most important one is Brande’s... (Source)

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers

How to Edit Yourself Into Print

Renni Browne, Dave King | 4.32

Alina Varlanuta My professional path – copywriting – somehow intertwines with my unprofessional (hahaha) path – writing so I would recommend reading literature for both. Somehow reading and writing are two ways of doing the same thing: storytelling (even when you read you tell yourself a story in your own voice, bringing your personal emotion and empathy to the story you’re reading). The only difference is that... (Source)

Plot & Structure

Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips Readers from Start to Finish

James Scott Bell | 4.30

Zen in the Art of Writing

Ray Bradbury | 4.27

Maria Popova In Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You, Ray Bradbury — acclaimed author, dystopian novelist, hater of symbolism — shares not only his wisdom and experience in writing, but also his contagious excitement for the craft. Blending practical how-to’s on everything from finding your voice to negotiating with editors with snippets and glimpses of the author’s own career,... (Source)

Steering the Craft

Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew

Ursula K. Le Guin | 4.27

Reading Like a Writer

A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them

Francine Prose | 4.27

Steal Like an Artist

10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Austin Kleon | 4.26

Seth Godin Breezy and fun and yes, scary. Scary because it calls your bluff. (Source)

Ryan Holiday Part of ambition is modeling yourself after those you’d like to be like. Austin’s philosophy of ruthlessly stealing and remixing the greats might sound appalling at first but it is actually the essence of art. You learn by stealing, you become creative by stealing, you push yourself to be better by working with these materials. Austin is a fantastic artist, but most importantly he communicates... (Source)

Chase Jarvis Super small, fast read. (Source)

Outlining Your Novel

Map Your Way to Success

K. M. Weiland | 4.25

Writing Fiction for Dummies

Randy Ingermanson | 4.23

Characters and Viewpoint (Elements of Fiction Writing)

Orson Scott Car | 4.22

Wired for Story

The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence

Lisa Cron | 4.22

2,000 to 10,000

How to Write Faster, Write Better, and Write More of What You Love

Rachel Aaro | 4.21

Creating Character Arcs

The Masterful Author's Guide to Uniting Story Structure, Plot, and Character Development (Helping Writers Become Authors Book 7)

K.M. Weiland | 4.21

Powerful Character Arcs Create Powerful Stories

Have you written a story with an exciting concept and interesting characters—but it just isn’t grabbing the attention of readers or agents? It’s time to look deeper into the story beats that create realistic and compelling character arcs. Internationally published, award-winning novelist K.M. Weiland shares her acclaimed method for achieving memorable and moving character arcs in every book you write.

By applying the foundation of the Three-Act Story Structure and then...

By applying the foundation of the Three-Act Story Structure and then delving even deeper into the psychology of realistic and dynamic human change, Weiland offers a beat-by-beat checklist of character arc guidelines that flexes to fit any type of story.

This comprehensive book will teach you:

Gaining an understanding of how to write character arcs is a game-changing moment in any author’s pursuit of the craft.

Bring your characters to unforgettable and realistic life—and take your stories from good to great!

Writing Fiction

A Guide to Narrative Craft

Janet Burroway, Elizabeth Stuckey-French | 4.20

Story Engineering

Character Development, Story Concept, Scene Construction

Larry Brooks | 4.19

The Art of Fiction

Notes on Craft for Young Writers

John Gardner | 4.19

The Anatomy of Story

22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller

John Truby | 4.19

Writing Magic

Creating Stories that Fly

Gail Carson Levine | 4.19

The Positive Trait Thesaurus

A Writer's Guide to Character Attributes

Angela Ackerman, Becca Puglisi | 4.18

The Art of Dramatic Writing

Its Basis in the Creative Interpretation of Human Motives

Lajos Egri | 4.17

Seth Rogen Very referential to certain plays. (Source)

The Negative Trait Thesaurus

A Writer's Guide to Character Flaws

Angela Ackerman, Becca Puglisi | 4.17

The Emotional Wound Thesaurus

A Writer's Guide to Psychological Trauma

Becca Puglisi | 4.16

Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint

Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints

Nancy Kress | 4.16

•Choose and execute the best...

•Choose and execute the best point of view for your story •Create three-dimensional and believable characters •Develop your characters' emotions •Create realistic love, fight, and death scenes •Use frustration to motivate your characters and drive your story

Structuring Your Novel

Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story

K. M. Weiland | 4.16

Creative Living Beyond Fear

Elizabeth Gilbert | 4.16

Mark Manson I read a bunch of books on writing before I wrote my first book and the two that stuck with me were Stephen King’s book and “On Writing Well” by Zinsser (which is a bit on the technical side). I was also surprised by how much I enjoyed Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic.” (Source)

Chelsea Frank I read everything with an open mind, often challenging myself by choosing books with an odd perspective or religious/spiritual views. These books do not reflect my personal feelings but are books that helped shape my perspective on life, love, and happiness. (Source)

Story Genius

How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere)

Lisa Cron | 4.16

Back to Creative Writing School

Bridget Whelan | 4.15

Writing the Breakout Novel

Donald Maass | 4.15

Where the Wild Things Are

Maurice Sendak | 4.15

Richard Branson Today is World Book Day, a wonderful opportunity to address this #ChallengeRichard sent in by Mike Gonzalez of New Jersey: Make a list of your top 65 books to read in a lifetime. (Source)

Barack Obama During a trip to a public library in Washington’s Anacostia neighborhood in 2015, Obama shared some of his childhood favorites with a group of young students. He also read (and acted out) Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak to kids at the White House in 2014. (Source)

Martha Stewart In this photo, Jimmy Fallon and I enjoy slurping Eggs of Newt together for Season-5 of “The Martha Stewart Show." I am dressed as "Queen of the Wild Things" inspired by the beloved Maurice Sendak children's book, "Where the Wild Things Are." https://t.co/1ZBqXEW7dC (Source)

Into the Woods

A Five Act Journey Into Story

out of 5 stars31 | 4.15

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel

The Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need

Jessica Brody | 4.14

How to Write a Damn Good Novel

A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling

James N. Frey | 4.14

Scene & Structure (Elements of Fiction Writing)

Jack M. Bickham | 4.14

On Becoming a Novelist

John Gardner, Raymond Carver | 4.14

Andrew Cowan This is another one of the classics. He was quite a successful novelist in the States, but possibly an even more successful teacher of creative writing. The short story writer and poet Raymond Carver, for instance, was one of his students. And he died young in a motorcycle accident when he was 49. There are two classic works by him. One is this book, On Becoming a Novelist, and the other is The... (Source)

Stein on Writing

A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies

Sol Stein | 4.14

Letters to a Young Poet

Rainer Maria Rilke | 4.13

Todd Henry A book of mentorship for young artists. (Source)

Estella Ng Letters to a Young Poet - it is everything. [...] This line in Letters to a Young Poet “If your daily life seems poor, do not blame it; blame yourself, tell yourself that you are not poet enough to call forth its riches" is an important one to me. I constantly go back to this to evaluate if I have been living a full life. (Source)

Write Fiction That Grabs Readers at Page One & Never Lets Them Go

Les Edgerton | 4.13

*The first and only fiction-writing book that focuses exclusively on beginnings--no other book on the market addresses story beginnings in a comprehensive manner

Agents and editors agree: Improper story beginnings are the single biggest barrier to publication. Why? If a novel or short story has a bad beginning, then no one will keep reading....

Agents and editors agree: Improper story beginnings are the single biggest barrier to publication. Why? If a novel or short story has a bad beginning, then no one will keep reading. It's just that simple. Hooked provides readers with a detailed understanding of what a beginning must include (setup, backstory, the inciting incident, etc.); instruction on how to successfully develop the story problem; tips on how to correct common beginning mistakes; exclusive insider advice from agents, acquiring book editors, and literary journal editors; and much more.

The Writing Life

Annie Dillard | 4.13

How Not to Write a Novel

200 Classic Mistakes and How to Avoid Them—A Misstep-by-Misstep Guide

Howard Mittelmark, Sandra Newman | 4.13

How to Write Dazzling Dialogue

The Fastest Way to Improve Any Manuscript

James Scott Bel | 4.12

Take Off Your Pants! Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing

Libbie Hawke | 4.12

Conflict and Suspense (Elements of Fiction Writing)

James Scott Bell | 4.11

Conflict pulls readers into a story and suspense carries them along until its conclusion. Expert author of over 15 thrillers, James Scott Bell offers proven techniques that help writers craft fiction that their readers won?t be able to put down. Learn how to believably weave conflict and suspense into a story, how to pace your story and keep the pressure on throughout, and how to bring it all to a gripping conclusion.

The First Five Pages

A Writer's Guide To Staying Out of the Rejection Pile

Noah Lukeman | 4.11

Many writers spend the majority of their time devising their plot. What they don't seem to understand is that if their execution -- if their prose -- isn't up to par, their plot may not even be considered.

Write. Publish. Repeat. (The No-Luck-Required Guide to Self-Publishing Success)

Sean M. Platt and Johnny Truan | 4.10

In 2013, Johnny B. Truant and Sean Platt published 1.5 million words and made their full-time livings as indie authors. In Write. Publish. Repeat., they tell you exactly how they did it: how they created over 15 independent franchises across 50+ published works, how they turned their art into a logical, sustainable business, and how any independent author can do the same to build a sustainable, profitable career with their writing.

Write. Publish. Repeat. explains the current self-publishing landscape and...

Write. Publish. Repeat. explains the current self-publishing landscape and covers the truths and myths about what it means to be an indie author now and in the foreseeable future. It explains how to create books your readers will love and will want to return to again and again. Write. Publish. Repeat. details expert methods for building story worlds, characters, and plots, understanding your market (right down to your ideal reader), using the best tools possible to capture your draft, and explains proven best practices for editing. The book also discusses covers, titles, formatting, pricing, and publishing to multiple platforms, plus a bit on getting your books into print (and why that might not be a good idea!). But most importantly, Write. Publish. Repeat. details the psychology-driven marketing plan that Sean and Johnny built to shape their stories into "products" that readers couldn't help but be drawn into -- thus almost automatically generating sales -- and explores ways that smart, business-minded writers can do the same to future-proof their careers.

This book is not a formula with an easy path to follow. It is a guidebook that will help you build a successful indie publishing career, no matter what type of writer you are ... so long as you're the type who's willing to do the work.

James Altucher Sean Platt has a good book that just came out about writing many books. I recommend it. “Write. Publish. Repeat.” I think Sean has published over 50 books. I don’t know because he uses pseudonyms as well. (Source)

Kaci Lambe Kai On the same flight, I read Write. Publish. Repeat. by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant. They made it seem so easy to become an author and a creative. It's as easy as the title. Create a thing. Put it out into the world. Do it all over again. I got off that flight a changed human being. I knew I wanted to make my living as an independent creative in which I create works, release them, and obtain... (Source)

The Ode Less Travelled

Unlocking the Poet Within

Stephen Fry | 4.08

Fry is a wonderfully engaging teacher and writer of poetry himself, and he explains the various elements of poetry in simple terms, without condescension. His enjoyable exercises and witty insights introduce the concepts of Metre, Rhyme, Form, Diction, and Poetics. Aspiring poets will learn to write a sonnet, on ode, a villanelle, a ballad, and a haiku, among others. Along the way, he introduces us to poets we've heard of, but never read. The Ode Less Travelled is a lively celebration of poetry that makes even the most reluctant reader want to pick up a pencil and give it a try. BACKCOVER: Advanced Praise: “Delightfully erudite, charming and soundly pedagogical guide to poetic form… Fry has created an invaluable and highly enjoyable reference book.” — Publishers Weekly “A smart, sane and entertaining return to the basics… If you like Fry's comic manner… this book has a lot of charm… People entirely fresh to the subject could do worse than stick with his cheerful leadership.” — The Telegraph (UK) “…intelligent and informative, a worthy enterprise well executed.” — Observer (UK) "If you learn how to write a sonnet, and Fry shows you how, you may or may not make a poem. But you will unlock the stored wisdom of the form itself." —Grey Gowrie, The Spectator (UK) “…intelligent and informative, a worthy enterprise well executed.” — Observer (UK)

The Forest for the Trees

Betsy Lerner | 4.08

Andrew Cowan Yes, she was an editor at several major American publishing houses, such as Simon & Schuster. She went on to become an agent, and also did an MFA in poetry before that, so she came through the US creative writing process and understands where many writers are coming from. (Source)

No Plot? No Problem!

A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days

Chris Baty | 4.08

Daily Rituals

How Artists Work

Mason Currey | 4.08

Alok Kejriwal Daily Rituals - Book Review "Sooner or later, Pritchett writes, "great men turn to be alike. They never stop working. They never lose a minute. It's very depressing". Daily Rituals is a remarkable book. It chronicles the daily habits of artists, writers, composers.. see note https://t.co/tMUhBKmzkI (Source)

Bobby Voicu Mason Currey’s "Daily Rituals" will show you how 161 of the most creative and inspiring minds in the world work. This book’s great to demolish the myth that artists don’t have a routine and they’re just waiting for inspiration to hit them. As David Brook… https://t.co/4Owd29TQEm (Source)

B. J. Novak B. J. also recommended Daily Rituals by Mason Currey for anyone who would enjoy seeing the daily routines of legends like Steve Jobs, Charles Darwin, and Charles Dickens. "It is so reassuring to see that everyone has their own system, and how dysfunctional a lot of them are". (Source)

Divergent (Divergent, #1)

Veronica Roth | 4.08

The Foundations of Screenwriting

Syd Field | 4.07

The Fire in Fiction

Passion, Purpose and Techniques to Make Your Novel Great

Donald Maass | 4.07

The Writing Strategies Book

Your Everything Guide to Developing Skilled Writers

Jennifer Serravallo | 4.06

The Story Grid

What Good Editors Know

Shawn Coyne and Steven Pressfiel | 4.06

Revision & Self-Editing

Techniques for Transforming Your First Draft Into a Finished Novel

James Scott Scott Bell | 4.06

•Write a cleaner first draft right out of the gate using Bell's plotting principles •Get the most out of revision and self-editing techniques by honing your skills with detailed exercises •Systematically revise a completed draft using the ultimate revision checklist that talks you through the core story elements

Spilling Ink

A Young Writer's Handbook

Ellen Potter, Anne Mazer, et al. | 4.06

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Judi Barrett, Ronald Barrett | 4.06

Travis Herzog I absolutely LOVED this book as a kid, and I still love reading it today as an adult. @Ginger_Zee and @RobMarciano, I challenge you to post your own "shelfie" (selfie with a book) and @Disney will donate up to 1 million books for kids in need! #magicofstorytelling https://t.co/zEwuZpf0zc (Source)

The Rural Setting Thesaurus

A Writer's Guide to Personal and Natural Places

Angela Ackerman, Becca Puglisi | 4.06

Emotion Amplifiers

Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglis | 4.05

Techniques of the Selling Writer

Dwight V. Swain | 4.05

The Right to Write

An Invitation and Initiation Into the Writing Life

Julia Cameron | 4.05

How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy

Orson Scott Card | 4.05

Still Writing

The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life

Dani Shapiro | 4.05

Writing 21st Century Fiction

High Impact Techniques for Exceptional Storytelling

Donald Maass | 4.04

Ernest Hemingway on Writing

Larry W. Phillips | 4.04

Maria Popova Ernest Hemingway famously maintained that it was bad luck to talk about writing. Yet, over the course of his career, he frequently wrote about writing in his novels and short stories, his letters to editors, friends, critics, and lovers, in interviews, and even in articles specifically commissioned on the subject. In Ernest Hemingway on Writing, editor Larry W. Phillips culls the finest,... (Source)

Imaginative Writing

Janet Burroway | 4.04

Eats, Shoots & Leaves

The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation

Lynne Truss | 4.04

Write to Market

Deliver a Book that Sells (Write Faster, Write Smart, #3)

Chris Fox | 4.03

Insurgent (Divergent, #2)

Veronica Roth | 4.03

The Science of Storytelling

out of 5 stars10 | 4.03

‘One of my absolute favourite writers’ Decca Aitkenhead

Who would we be without stories?

Stories mould who we are, from our character to our cultural identity. They drive us to act out our dreams and ambitions, and shape our politics and beliefs. We use them to construct our relationships, to keep order in our law courts, to interpret events in our newspapers and social media. Storytelling is an essential part of what makes us human.

There have been many attempts to understand what makes a good story – from Joseph Campbell’s...

There have been many attempts to understand what makes a good story – from Joseph Campbell’s well-worn theories about myth and archetype to recent attempts to crack the ‘Bestseller Code’. But few have used a scientific approach. This is curious, for if we are to truly understand storytelling in its grandest sense, we must first come to understand the ultimate storyteller – the human brain.

In this scalpel-sharp, thought-provoking book, Will Storr demonstrates how master storytellers manipulate and compel us, leading us on a journey from the Hebrew scriptures to Mr Men, from Booker Prize-winning literature to box set TV. Applying dazzling psychological research and cutting-edge neuroscience to the foundations of our myths and archetypes, he shows how we can use these tools to tell better stories – and make sense of our chaotic modern world.

Hannah Fry This is the intro to The Science of Storytelling by @wstorr. Easily the best book I've read this year. https://t.co/WzpSWlzVGi https://t.co/RX9kdQANeB (Source)

Adam Rutherford Tomorrow night at @WaterstonesTCR I’ll be in conversation with @wstorr about his brilliant book The Science of Storytelling - a book that has made me change how I write. Come. https://t.co/mbQpHfwysV (Source)

The Art of War for Writers

Fiction Writing Strategies, Tactics, and Exercises

James Scott Bell | 4.03

The Sense of Style

The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century

Steven Pinker | 4.03

Writing Alone and with Others

Pat Schneider, Peter Elbow | 4.02

The Urban Setting Thesaurus

A Writer's Guide to City Spaces

Angela Ackerman, Becca Puglisi | 4.02

Living the Writer's Life

Natalie Goldberg | 4.02

The Creative Writing Coursebook

Forty Authors Share Advice and Exercises for Fiction and Poetry

Julia Bell, Paul Magrs, Andrew Motion | 4.02

Getting Into Character

Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn from Actors

Brandilyn Collins | 4.02

GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict

The Building Blocks of Good Fiction

Debra Dixon | 4.01

The Modern Library Writer's Workshop

A Guide to the Craft of Fiction

Stephen Koch | 4.01

Beginnings, Middles & Ends (Elements of Fiction Writing)

Nancy Kress | 4.01

Old Friend from Far Away

The Practice of Writing Memoir

Natalie Goldberg | 4.01

Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers

Anne Bernays, Pamela Painter | 4.01

Description & Setting

Ron Rozelle | 4.01

The Art of the Novel

Milan Kundera | 4.00

Make a Scene

Crafting a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time

Jordan E. Rosenfeld | 4.00

Story Trumps Structure

How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules

Steven James and Donald Maas | 4.00

VIDEO COURSE

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Blog • Perfecting your Craft

Last updated on May 31, 2022

The 40 Best Books About Writing: A Reading List for Authors

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Dario Villirilli

Editor-in-Chief of the Reedsy blog, Dario is a graduate of Mälardalen University. As a freelance writer, he has written for many esteemed outlets aimed at writers. A traveler at heart, he can be found roaming the world and working from his laptop.

For this post, we’ve scoured the web (so you don’t have to) and asked our community of writers for recommendations on some indispensable books about writing. We've filled this list with dozens of amazing titles, all of which are great — but this list might seem intimidating. So for starters, here are our top 10 books about writing:

• On Writing by Stephen King
• The Kick-Ass Writer by Chuck Wendig
• Dreyer’s Englis h by Benjamin Dreyer
• The Elements of Style by Strunk, White, and Kalman
• The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne
• A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders
• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
• Mouth Full of Blood by Toni Morrison
• How to Market a Book by Ricardo Fayet
• On Writing Well by William Zinsser

But if you're ready to get into the weeds, here are 40 of our favorite writing books.

Books about becoming a writer

1. on writing by stephen king.

Perhaps the most-cited book on this list, On Writing  is part-memoir, part-masterclass from one of America’s leading authors. Come for the vivid accounts of his childhood and youth — including his extended "lost weekend" spent on alcohol and drugs in the 1980s. Stay for the actionable advice on how to use your emotions and experiences to kickstart your writing, hone your skills, and become an author. Among the many craft-based tips are King’s expert takes on plot, story, character, and more.

From the book: “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” 

2. The Kick-Ass Writer by Chuck Wendig

If you haven’t checked out Wendig’s personal blog, head over there now and bookmark it. Unfiltered, profane, and almost always right, Wendig has become a leading voice among online writing communities in the past few years. In The Kick-Ass Writer , he offers over 1,000 pearls of wisdom for authors, ranging from express writing tips to guidance on getting published. Written to be read in short bursts, we’re sure he’d agree that this is the perfect bathroom book for writers.

From the book: “I have been writing professionally for a lucky-despite-the-number 13 years. Not once — seriously, not once ever — has anyone ever asked me where I got my writing degree… Nobody gives two ferrets fornicating in a filth-caked gym sock whether or not you have a degree… The only thing that matters is, Can you write well? ” 

3. Find Your Voice by Angie Thomas

Taking advice from famous authors is not about imitation, but about finding your own voice . Take it from someone who knows: Thomas is the New York Times #1 Bestselling author of The Hate U Give , On the Come Up , and Concrete Rose . While she’s found her calling in YA literature, she has plenty of insight into finding your own voice in your genre of choice. Written in the form of a guided journal, this volume comes with step-by-step instructions, writing prompts, and exercises especially aimed at helping younger creatives develop the strength and skills to realize their vision.

From the book: “Write fearlessly. Write what is true and real to you.” 

4. The Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner

Since its publication in 2000, The Forest for the Trees  has remained an essential resource for authors at various stages in their careers. As an editor, Lerner gives advice not only on producing quality content, but also on how to build your career as an author and develop a winning routine — like how writers can be more productive in their creative process, how to get published, and how to publish well .

From the book: “The world doesn't fully make sense until the writer has secured his version of it on the page. And the act of writing is strangely more lifelike than life.”

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5. How to Write Like Tolstoy by Richard Cohen

From the book: “Great writers can be inhibiting, and maybe after one has read a Scott Fitzgerald or Henry James one can’t escape imitat­ing them; but more often such writers are inspiring.”

6. Feel Free: Essays by Zadie Smith

Smith is well-known for her fiction, but she is also a prolific essay writer. In Feel Free , she has gathered several essays on recent cultural and political developments and combined them with experiences from her own life and career. In “The I Who Is Not Me”, she explores how her own lived experience comes into play in her fiction writing, and how she manages to extrapolate that to comment on contemporary social contexts, discussing race, class, and ethnicity.

From the book: “Writing exists (for me) at the intersection of three precarious, uncertain elements: language, the world, the self. The first is never wholly mine; the second I can only ever know in a partial sense; the third is a malleable and improvised response to the previous two.”

Books about language and style 

7. dreyer’s english by benjamin dreyer.

A staple book about writing well, Dreyer’s English serves as a one-stop guide to proper English, based on the knowledge that Dreyer — a senior copy editor at Random House — has accumulated throughout his career. From punctuation to tricky homophones, passive voice, and commas, the goal of these tools should be to facilitate effective communication of ideas and thoughts. Dreyer delivers this and then some, but not without its due dosage of humor and informative examples. 

From the book: “A good sentence, I find myself saying frequently, is one that the reader can follow from beginning to end, no matter how long it is, without having to double back in confusion because the writer misused or omitted a key piece of punctuation, chose a vague or misleading pronoun, or in some other way engaged in inadvertent misdirection.”

8. The Elements of Style (Illustrated) by William Strunk, Jr., E. B. White, and Maira Kalman

A perfect resource for visual learners, this illustrated edition of The Elements of Style has taken the classic style manual to a new, more accessible level but kept its main tenet intact: make every word tell. The written content by Strunk and White has long been referred to as an outline of the basic principles of style. Maira Kalman’s illustrations elevate the experience and make it a feast for both the mind and the eye. 

From the book: “A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.”

9. Sin and Syntax by Constance Hale

If you’re looking to bring a bit of spunk into your writing, copy editor Constance Hale may hold the key . Whether you’re writing a work-related email or the next rap anthem, she has one goal: to make creative communication available to everyone by dispelling old writing myths and making every word count. Peppered with writing prompts and challenges, this book will have you itching to put pen to paper.

From the book: “Verbose is not a synonym for literary.”

10. The Sense of Style by Steven Pinker

Combining entertainment with intellectual pursuit, Pinker, a cognitive scientist and dictionary consultant, explores and rethinks language usage in the 21st century . With illustrative examples of both great and not-so-great linguistic constructions, Pinker breaks down the art of writing and gives a gentle but firm nudge in the right direction, towards coherent yet stylish prose. This is not a polemic on the decay of the English language, nor a recitation of pet peeves, but a thoughtful, challenging, and practical take on the science of communication. 

From the book: “Why is so much writing so bad, and how can we make it better? Is the English language being corrupted by texting and social media? Do the kids today even care about good writing—and why should we care?”

11. Eats, Shoots, & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss

From the book: “A panda walks into a cafe. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air. "Why?" asks the confused waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife annual and tosses it over his shoulder. "I'm a panda," he says, at the door. "Look it up." The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an explanation. Panda. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots and leaves.”

Books about story structure

12. save the cat by blake snyder.

Best known as a screenwriting manual, Save the Cat! is just as often named by authors as one of their most influential books about writing. The title comes from the tried-and-true trope of the protagonist doing something heroic in the first act (such as saving a cat) in order to win over the audience. Yes, it might sound trite to some — but others swear by its bulletproof beat sheet. More recently, there has been Save the Cat! Writes a Novel , which tailors its principles specifically to the literary crowd. (For a concise breakdown of the beat sheet, check this post out!)

From the book: “Because liking the person we go on a journey with is the single most important element in drawing us into the story.” 

13. The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne

Shawn Coyne is a veteran editor with over 25 years of publishing experience, and he knows exactly what works and what doesn’t in a story — indeed, he’s pretty much got it down to a science. The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know  outlines Coyne’s original “Story Grid” evaluation technique, which both writers and editors can use to appraise, revise, and ultimately improve their writing (in order to get it ready for publication). Coyne and his friend Tim Grahl also co-host the acclaimed Story Grid podcast , another great resource for aspiring writers.

From the book: “The Story Grid is a tool with many applications. It pinpoints problems but does not emotionally abuse the writer… it is a tool to re-envision and resuscitate a seemingly irredeemable pile of paper stuck in an attack drawer, and it can inspire an original creation.”

14. Story Structure Architect by Victoria Schmidt

For those who find the idea of improvising utterly terrifying and prefer the security of structures, this book breaks down just about every kind of story structure you’ve ever heard of . Victoria Schmidt offers no less than fifty-five different creative paths for your story to follow — some of which are more unconventional, or outright outlandish than others. The level of detail here is pretty staggering: Schmidt goes into the various conflicts, subplots, and resolutions these different story structures entail — with plenty of concrete examples! Suffice to say that no matter what kind of story you’re writing, you’ll find a blueprint for it in Story Structure Architect .

From the book: “When you grow up in a Westernized culture, the traditional plot structure becomes so embedded in your subconscious that you may have to work hard to create a plot structure that deviates from it… Understand this and keep your mind open when reading [this book]. Just because a piece doesn’t conform to the model you are used to, does not make it bad or wrong.”

15. The Writer's Journey  by Christopher Vogler

Moving on, we hone in on the mythic structure. Vogler’s book, originally published in 1992, is now a modern classic of writing advice; though intended as a screenwriting textbook, its contents apply to any story of mythic proportions. In The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers , Vogler takes a page (literally) from Joseph Campbell’s Hero of a Thousand Faces to ruminate upon the most essential narrative structures and character archetypes of the writing craft. So if you’re thinking of drawing up an epic fantasy series full of those tropes we all know and love , this guide should be right up your alley.

From the book: “The Hero’s Journey is not an invention, but an observation. It is a recognition of a beautiful design… It’s difficult to avoid the sensation that the Hero’s Journey exists somewhere, somehow, as an external reality, a Platonic ideal form, a divine model. From this model, infinite and highly varied copies can be produced, each resonating with the essential spirit of the form.”

16. Story Genius by Lisa Cron

From the book: “We don't turn to story to escape reality. We turn to story to navigate reality.”

17. A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders

More than just a New York Times bestseller and the winner of the Booker Prize, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is a distillation of the MFA class on Russian short stories that Saunders has been teaching. Breaking down narrative functions and why we become immersed in a story, this is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand and nurture our continued need for fiction.

From the book: “We’re going to enter seven fastidiously constructed scale models of the world, made for a specific purpose that our time maybe doesn’t fully endorse but that these writers accepted implicitly as the aim of art—namely, to ask the big questions, questions like, How are we supposed to be living down here? What were we put here to accomplish? What should we value? What is truth, anyway, and how might we recognize it?”

Books about overcoming obstacles as a writer

18. bird by bird by anne lamott .

Like Stephen King’s book about writing craft, this work from acclaimed novelist and nonfiction writer Anne Lamott also fuses elements of a memoir with invaluable advice on the writer’s journey. Particularly known for popularizing the concept of “shitty first drafts”, Bird by Bird was recently recommended by editor Jennifer Hartmann in her Reedsy Live webinar for its outlook take on book writing. She said, “This book does exactly what it says it will do: it teaches you to become a better writer. [Lamott] is funny and witty and very knowledgeable.”

From the book: “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft.”

19. Take Off Your Pants by Libbie Hawker 

From the book: “When it comes to the eternal quandary of pantsing or plotting, you can keep a foot in each camp. But if your goals will require you to write with speed and confidence, an effective outline will be your best friend.”

20. Writing into the Dark by Dean Wesley Smith 

And for those who eschew structure altogether, we’ll now refer you to this title  from profile science fiction author Dean Wesley Smith. Having authored a number of official Star Trek novels, he definitely knows what he’s talking about when he encourages writers to go boldly into the unknown with an approach to writing books that doesn’t necessarily involve an elaborate plan. It might not be your action plan, but it can be a fresh perspective to get out of the occasional writer’s block.

From the book: “Imagine if every novel you picked up had a detailed outline of the entire plot… Would you read the novel after reading the outline? Chances are, no. What would be the point? You already know the journey the writer is going to take you on. So, as a writer, why do an outline and then have to spend all that time creating a book you already know?”

21. No Plot, No Problem by Chris Baty

If you’re procrastinating to the point where you haven’t even started your novel yet, NaNoWriMo founder Chris Baty is your guy! No Plot, No Problem  is a “low-stress, high-velocity” guide to writing a novel in just 30 days (yup, it’s great prep for the NaNoWriMo challenge). You’ll get tons of tips on how to survive this rigorous process, from taking advantage of your initial momentum to persisting through moments of doubt.

Whether you’re participating in everyone’s favorite November write-a-thon or you just want to bang out a novel that’s been in your head forever, Baty will help you cross that elusive finish line.

From the book: “A rough draft is best written in the steam-cooker of an already busy life. If you have a million things to do, adding item number 1,000,001 is not such a big deal.”

22. The 90-Day Novel by Alan Watt

And for those who think 30 days is a bit too steam cooker-esque, there’s always Alan Watt’s more laid-back option. In The 90-Day Novel , Watt provides a unique three-part process to assist you with your writing. The first part provides assistance in developing your story’s premise, the second part helps you work through obstacles to execute it, and the third part is full of writing exercises to unlock the “primal forces” of your story — in other words, the energy that will invigorate your work and incite readers to devour it like popcorn at the movies.

From the book: “Why we write is as important as what we write. Grammar, punctuation, and syntax are fairly irrelevant in the first draft. Get the story down… fast. Get out of your head, so you can surprise yourself on the page.”

23. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

If you feel like you’re constantly in the trenches of your “inner creative battle,” The War of Art is the book for you. Pressfield emphasizes the importance of breaking down creative barriers — what he calls “Resistance” — in order to defeat your demons (i.e., procrastination, self-doubt, etc.) and fulfill your potential. Though some of his opinions are no doubt controversial (he makes repeated claims that almost anything can be procrastination, including going to the doctor), this book is the perfect remedy for prevaricating writers who need a little bit of tough love.

From the book: “Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.”

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Books about writing as a lifestyle and career

24. steal like an artist by austin kleon.

As Kleon notes in the first section of Steal Like an Artist , this title obviously doesn’t refer to plagiarism. Rather, it acknowledges that art cannot be created in a vacuum, and encourages writers (and all other artists) to be open and receptive to all sources of inspiration. By “stealing like an artist,” writers can construct stories that already have a baseline of familiarity for readers, but with new twists that keep them fresh and exciting .

From the book: “If we’re free from the burden of trying to be completely original, we can stop trying to make something out of nothing, and we can embrace influence instead of running away from it.”

25. Mouth Full of Blood by Toni Morrison

From the book: “A writer's life and work are not a gift to mankind; they are its necessity.”

26. Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

No matter what stage you’re at in your writing career, Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones will help you write more skillfully and creatively. With suggestions, encouragement, and valuable advice on the many aspects of the writing craft, Goldberg doesn’t shy away from making the crucial connection between writing and adding value to your life. Covering a range of topics including taking notes of your initial thoughts, listening, overcoming doubt, choosing where to write, and the selection of your verbs, this guide has plenty to say about the minute details of writing, but excels at exploring the author life.

From the book: “Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.”

27. Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

What does it take to become a great author? According to the beloved writer Ray Bradbury, it takes zest, gusto, curiosity, as well as a spirit of adventure. Sharing his wisdom and experiences as one of the most prolific writers in America , Bradbury gives plenty of practical tips and tricks on how to develop ideas, find your voice, and create your own style in this  thoughtful volume . In addition to that, this is also an insight into the life and mind of this prolific writer, and a celebration of the act of writing. 

From the book: “Every morning I jump out of bed and step on a land mine. The land mine is me. After the explosion, I spend the rest of the day putting the pieces back together. Now, it's your turn. Jump!”

28. The Kite and the String by Alice Mattison

One of the most common dilemmas an author faces is the struggle between spontaneity and control. Literary endeavors need those unexpected light-bulb moments, but a book will never be finished if you rely solely on inspiration. In The Kite and the String , Mattison has heard your cry for help and developed a guide for balancing these elements throughout the different stages of writing a novel or a memoir. Sure, there may be language and grammar rules that govern the way you write, but letting a bit of playfulness breathe life into your writing will see it take off to a whole new level. On the other hand, your writing routine, solitude, audience, and goal-setting will act as the strings that keep you from floating too far away. 

From the book: "Don’t make yourself miserable wishing for a kind of success that you wouldn’t enjoy if you had it."

29. How to Become a Successful Indie Author by Craig Martelle

This one’s for all the indie authors out there! Even if you’ve already self-published a book, you can still learn a lot from this guide by Craig Martelle, who has dozens of indie books — “over two and a half million words,” as he puts it — under his belt. With patience and expertise, Martelle walks you through everything you need to know: from developing your premise to perfecting your writing routine, to finally getting your work to the top of the Amazon charts.

From the book: “No matter where you are on your author journey, there’s always a new level you can reach. Roll up your sleeves, because it’s time to get to work.”

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30. How to Market a Book by Ricardo Fayet 

From the book: “Here’s the thing: authors don’t find readers; readers find books . [...] Marketing is not about selling your book to readers. It’s about getting readers to find it.”

31. Everybody Writes by Ann Handley

The full title of Handley’s all-inclusive book on writing is actually Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content — which should tell you something about its broad appeal. Not only does Handley have some great ideas on how to plan and produce a great story, but she also provides tips on general content writing, which comes in handy when it’s time to build your author platform or a mailing list to promote your book . As such, Everybody Writes is nothing like your other books on novel writing — it’ll make you see writing in a whole new light.

From the book: “In our world, many hold a notion that the ability to write, or write well, is a gift bestowed on a chosen few. That leaves us thinking there are two kinds of people: the writing haves — and the hapless, for whom writing well is a hopeless struggle, like trying to carve marble with a butter knife. But I don’t believe that, and neither should you.” 

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Books on writing poetry 

32. madness, rack, and honey by mary ruefle.

With a long history of crafting and lecturing about poetry, Ruefle invites the reader of Madness, Rack, and Honey to immerse themselves into its beauty and magic. In a powerful combination of lectures and musings, she expertly explores the mind and craft of writers while excavating the magical potential of poetry. Often a struggle between giving and taking, poetry is, according to Ruefle, a unique art form that reveals the innermost workings of the human heart.

From the book: “In one sense, reading is a great waste of time. In another sense, it is a great extension of time, a way for one person to live a thousand and one lives in a single lifespan, to watch the great impersonal universe at work again and again”

33. Threads by Sandeep Parmar, Nisha Ramayya, and Bhanu Kapil

If you’re looking for something that explores the philosophical aspects of writing, Threads asks big questions about writing and the position of the writer in an industry that has largely excluded marginalized voices. Where does the writer exist in relation to its text and, particularly in the case of poetry, who is the “I”? Examining the common white, British, male lens, this collection of short essays will make it hard for you not to critically consider your own perceptions and how they affect your writing process.

From the book: “It is impossible to consider the lyric without fully interrogating its inherent promise of universality, its coded whiteness.”

34. The Hatred of Poetry by Ben Lerner

Despite its eye-catching title, this short essay is actually a defense of poetry. Lerner begins with his own hatred of the art form, and then moves on to explore this love-hate dichotomy that actually doesn’t seem to be contradictory. Rather, such a multitude of emotions might be one of the reasons that writers and readers alike turn to it. With its ability to evoke feelings and responses through word-play and meter, poetry has often been misconceived as inaccessible and elitist; this is a call to change that perception. 

From the book: “All I ask the haters — and I, too, am one — is that they strive to perfect their contempt, even consider bringing it to bear on poems, where it will be deepened, not dispelled, and where, by creating a place for possibility and present absences (like unheard melodies), it might come to resemble love.”

35. Poemcrazy by Susan G. Wooldridge

If you’ve ever felt that the mysterious workings of poetry are out of your reach and expressly not for you, Wooldridge is here to tell you that anyone who wants to can write poetry. An experienced workshop leader, she will help you find your inner voice and to express it through the written word . Giving you advice on how to think, use your senses, and practice your writing, Wooldrige will have you putting down rhyme schemes before you know it. 

From the book: “Writing a poem is a form of listening, helping me discover what's wrong or frightening in my world as well as what delights me.”

36. Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison

From the book: “Don't be afraid to write crap — it makes the best fertilizer. The more of it you write, the better your chances are of growing something wonderful.”

Books about writing nonfiction

37. on writing well by william zinsser.

Going strong with its 30th-anniversary edition, On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction is an evergreen resource for nonfiction writers which breaks down the fundamental principles of written communication. As a bonus, the insights and guidelines in this book can certainly be applied to most forms of writing, from interviewing to camp-fire storytelling. Beyond giving tips on how to stay consistent in your writing and voice, how to edit, and how to avoid common pitfalls, Zinsser can also help you grow as a professional writer, strengthening your career and taking steps in a new direction. 

From the book: “Don’t try to visualize the great mass audience. There is no such audience—every reader is a different person.”

38. Essays by Lydia Davis

Ironically enough, this rather lengthy book is a celebration of brevity. As one of the leading American voices in flash-fiction and short-form writing, Davis traces her literary roots and inspirations in essays on everything, ranging from the mastodonic work of Proust to minimalism. In both her translations and her own writing, she celebrates experimental writing that stretches the boundaries of language. Playing with the contrast between what is said and what is not, this collection of essays is another tool to the writing shed to help you feel and use the power of every word you write.

From the book: “Free yourself of your device, for at least certain hours of the day — or at the very least one hour. Learn to be alone, all alone, without people, and without a device that is turned on. Learn to experience the purity of that kind of concentration. Develop focus, learn to focus intently on one thing, uninterrupted, for a long time.”

39. Essayism by Brian Dillon

In this volume , Dillon explores the often overlooked genre of essay writing and its place in literature’s past, present, and future. He argues that essays are an “experiment in attention” but also highlights how and why certain essays have directly impacted the development of the cultural and political landscape, from the end of the Middle Ages until the present day. At its heart, despite its many forms, subject areas, and purposes, essayism has its root in self-exploration. Dip in and out of Dillon’s short texts to find inspiration for your own nonfiction writing.

From the book: “What exactly do I mean, even, by 'style'? Perhaps it is nothing but an urge, an aspiration, a clumsy access of admiration, a crush.”

40. Naked, Drunk, and Writing by Adair Lara

From the book: “Write it down. Whatever it is, write it down. Chip it into marble. Type it into Microsoft Word. Spell it out in seaweeds on the shore. We are each of us an endangered species, delicate as unicorns.”

With a few of these books in your arsenal, you’ll be penning perfect plots in no time! And if you’re interested in learning more about the editing process, check our post on books on editing next!

ZUrlocker says:

11/03/2019 – 19:46

I'm familiar with several of these books. But for new authors, I urge you caution. It is very tempting to read so many books about writing that you never get around to writing. (I did this successfully for many years!) So I will suggest paring it down to just two books: Stephen King on Writing and Blake Snyder Save the Cat. Snyder's book is mostly about screenwriting, so you could also consider Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. Best of luck!

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100 Must-Read, Best Books On Writing And The Writer’s Life

Nikki VanRy

Nikki VanRy is a proud resident of Arizona, where she gets to indulge her love of tacos, desert storms, and tank tops. She also writes for the Tucson Festival of Books, loves anything sci-fi/fantasy/historical, drinks too much chai, and will spend all day in bed reading thankyouverymuch. Follow her on Instagram @nikki.vanry .

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If you’re a working or aspiring writer, y ou already likely know about the classic best books on writing–King’s  On Writing,  Strunk and White’s Elements of Style– but for a craft as varied and personal as writing, you’ll always benefit from learning from more voices, with more techniques. 

That’s why this list is full of writers not only talking about the bare-bones craft of writing (and there’s plenty of fantastic advice there), but also how becoming a writer changed their lives and what role they believe writers play in an ever-changing world. From craft to writer’s lives, get ready to dig into 100 of the must-read, best books on writing for improving your own work. 

“Written with her trademark lyricism, in these signature pieces the acclaimed author of The House on Mango Street shares her transformative memories and reveals her artistic and intellectual influences. Poignant, honest, and deeply moving, A House of My Own is an exuberant celebration of a life lived to the fullest, from one of our most beloved writers.”

2.  A Little Book on Form    by Robert Hass

“Brilliantly synthesizes Hass’s formidable gifts as both a poet and a critic and reflects his profound education in the art of poetry. Starting with the exploration of a single line as the basic gesture of a poem, and moving into an examination of the essential expressive gestures that exist inside forms, Hass goes beyond approaching form as a set of traditional rules that precede composition, and instead offers penetrating insight into the true openness and instinctiveness of formal creation.”

3. A Personal Anthology by Jorge Luis Borges

“After almost a half a century of scrupulous devotion to his art, Jorge Luis Borges personally compiled this anthology of his work—short stories, essays, poems, and brief mordant ‘sketches,’ which, in Borges’s hands, take on the dimensions of a genre unique in modern letters. In this anthology, the author has put together those pieces on which he would like his reputation to rest; they are not arranged chronologically, but with an eye to their ‘sympathies and differences.'”

4.  A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf

“Virginia Woolf imagines that Shakespeare had a sister—a sister equal to Shakespeare in talent, and equal in genius, but whose legacy is radically different. In this classic essay, she takes on the establishment, using her gift of language to dissect the world around her and give voice to those who are without. Her message is a simple one: women must have a fixed income and a room of their own in order to have the freedom to create.”

“Taking up specifics (When do flashbacks work, and when should you avoid them? How do you make characters both vivid and sympathetic?) and generalities (How are novels structured? How do writers establish serious literary reputations today?), Delany also examines the condition of the contemporary creative writer and how it differs from that of the writer in the years of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and the high Modernists. Like a private writing tutorial, About Writing treats each topic with clarity and insight.”

6. The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller by John Truby

“Based on the lessons in his award-winning class, Great Screenwriting, The Anatomy of Story draws on a broad range of philosophy and mythology, offering fresh techniques and insightful anecdotes alongside Truby’s own unique approach to building an effective, multifaceted narrative.”

7.  Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland

“Explores the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn’t get made, and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way. The book’s co-authors, David Bayles and Ted Orland, are themselves both working artists, grappling daily with the problems of making art in the real world. Their insights and observations, drawn from personal experience, provide an incisive view into the world of art as it is experienced by artmakers themselves.”

8.  The Art of Death by Edwidge Danticat

“At once a personal account of her mother dying from cancer and a deeply considered reckoning with the ways that other writers have approached death in their own work.”

9. The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers by John Gardner

“Gardner’s lessons, exemplified with detailed excerpts from classic works of literature, sweep across a complete range of topics—from the nature of aesthetics to the shape of a refined sentence. Written with passion, precision, and a deep respect for the art of writing, Gardner’s book serves by turns as a critic, mentor, and friend. Anyone who has ever thought of taking the step from reader to writer should begin here.”

“Karr synthesizes her expertise as professor and therapy patient, writer and spiritual seeker, recovered alcoholic and ‘black belt sinner,’ providing a unique window into the mechanics and art of the form that is as irreverent, insightful, and entertaining as her own work in the genre.”

11. The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron

“The seminal book on the subject of creativity. An international bestseller, millions of readers have found it to be an invaluable guide to living the artist’s life. Still as vital today—or perhaps even more so—than it was when it was first published twenty five years ago, it is a powerfully provocative and inspiring work.”

12. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

“With profound empathy and radiant generosity, Gilbert offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives.”

13. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

“Lamott’s miscellany of guidance and reflection should appeal to writers struggling with demons large and slight. Among the pearls she offers is to start small, as their father once advised her 10-year-old brother, who was agonizing over a book report on birds: ‘Just take it bird by bird.’ Lamott’s suggestion on the craft of fiction is down-to-earth: worry about the characters, not the plot. “

14. Black Milk: On the Conflicting Demands of Writing, Creativity, and Motherhood by Elif Shafak

“She intersperses her own experience with the lives of prominent authors such as Sylvia Plath, Virginia Woolf, Alice Walker, Ayn Rand, and Zelda Fitzgerald, Shafak looks for a solution to the inherent conflict between artistic creation and responsible parenting. With searing emotional honesty and an incisive examination of cultural mores within patriarchal societies, Shafak has rendered an important work about literature, motherhood, and spiritual well-being.”

“Erdrich takes us on an illuminating tour through the terrain her ancestors have inhabited for centuries: the lakes and islands of southern Ontario. Summoning to life the Ojibwe’s sacred spirits and songs, their language and sorrows, she considers the many ways in which her tribe—whose name derives from the word ozhibii’ige, ‘to write'”—have influenced her. Her journey links ancient stone paintings with a magical island where a bookish recluse built an extraordinary library, and she reveals how both have transformed her.”

16. Bryson’s Dictionary of Troublesome Words: A Writer’s Guide to Getting It Right by Bill Bryson

“An essential guide to the wonderfully disordered thing that is the English language. With some one thousand entries that feature real-world examples of questionable usage from an international array of publications, and with a helpful glossary and guide to pronunciation, this precise, prescriptive, and–because it is written by Bill Bryson–often witty book belongs on the desk of every person who cares enough about the language not to maul or misuse or distort it.”

17. Bullies, Bastards and Bitches: How to Write the Bad Guys of Fiction by Jessica Morrell 

“A truly memorable antagonist is not a one-dimensional super villain bent on world domination for no particular reason. Realistic, credible bad guys create essential story complications, personalize conflict, add immediacy to a story line, and force the protagonist to evolve.”

18. Crazy Brave: A Memoir by Joy Harjo

“In this transcendent memoir, grounded in tribal myth and ancestry, music and poetry, Joy Harjo, one of our leading Native American voices, details her journey to becoming a poet. Narrating the complexities of betrayal and love, Crazy Brave is a memoir about family and the breaking apart necessary in finding a voice.”

19. Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss

“Former editor Lynne Truss, gravely concerned about our current grammatical state, boldly defends proper punctuation. She proclaims, in her delightfully urbane, witty, and very English way, that it is time to look at our commas and semicolons and see them as the wonderful and necessary things they are.”

“You know the authors’ names. You recognize the title. You’ve probably used this book yourself. This is The Elements of Style , the classic style manual. This book’s unique tone, wit and charm have conveyed the principles of English style to millions of readers. Use the fourth edition of ‘the little book’ to make a big impact with writing.”

21. The Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Write the Story Beneath the Surface by Donald Maass

“Veteran literary agent and expert fiction instructor Donald Maass shows you how to use story to provoke a visceral and emotional experience in readers. Readers can simply read a novel…or they can experience it. The Emotional Craft of Fiction shows you how to make that happen.”

22. Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley

“A  go-to guide to attracting and retaining customers through stellar online communication, because in our content-driven world, every one of us is, in fact, a writer. If you have a web site, you are a publisher. If you are on social media, you are in marketing. And that means that we are all relying on our words to carry our marketing messages. We are all writers.”

23. The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile by Noah Lukeman

“With exercises at the end of each chapter, this invaluable reference will allow novelists, journalists, poets and screenwriters alike to improve their technique as they learn to eliminate even the most subtle mistakes that are cause for rejection. The First Five Pages will help writers at every stage take their art to a higher — and more successful — level.”

24. The Forest for the Trees: An Editor’s Advice to Writers by Betsy Lerner

“From blank page to first glowing (or gutting) review, Betsy Lerner is a knowing and sympathetic coach who helps writers discover how they can be more productive in the creative process and how they can better their odds of not only getting published, but getting published well.”

“ Free Within Ourselves is is meant to be a song of encouragement for African-American artists and visionaries. A step-by-step introduction to fictional technique, exploring story ideas, and charting one’s progress, as well as a resource guide for publishing fiction.”

26. Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors by Brandilyn Collins 

“Want to bring characters to life on the page as vividly as fine actors do on the stage or screen? Getting Into Character will give you a whole new way of thinking about your writing. Drawing on the Method Acting theory that theater professionals have used for decades, this in-depth guide explains seven characterization techniques and adapts them for the novelist’s use.”

27. The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou

“In The Heart of a Woman , Maya Angelou leaves California with her son, Guy, to move to New York. There she enters the society and world of black artists and writers, reads her work at the Harlem Writers Guild, and begins to take part in the struggle of black Americans for their rightful place in the world.”

28. If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland

“In this book, Ueland shares her philosophies on writing and life in general. She stresses the idea that ‘Everyone is talented, original, and has something important to say.’ Drawing heavily on the work and influence of William Blake, she suggests that writers should ‘Try to discover your true, honest, un-theoretical self.’ She sums up her book with 12 points to keep in mind while writing. Carl Sandburg called If You Want to Write the best book ever written on how to write.”

29. Immersion: A Writer’s Guide to Going Deep by Ted Conover

“Conover distills decades of knowledge into an accessible resource aimed at writers of all levels. He covers how to “get into” a community, how to conduct oneself once inside, and how to shape and structure the stories that emerge. Conover is also forthright about the ethics and consequences of immersion reporting, preparing writers for the surprises that often surface when their piece becomes public.”

“On a post-college visit to Florence, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri fell in love with the Italian language. Twenty years later, seeking total immersion, she and her family relocated to Rome, where she began to read and write solely in her adopted tongue. A startling act of self-reflection, In Other Words is Lahiri’s meditation on the process of learning to express herself in another language—and the stunning journey of a writer seeking a new voice.”

31. In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens: Womanist Prose by Alice Walker 

“Alice Walker speaks out as a black woman, writer, mother, and feminist, in thirty-six pieces ranging from the personal to the political. Here are essays about Walker’s own work and that of other writers, accounts of the civil rights movement of the 1960s and the antinuclear movement of the 1980s, and a vivid, courageous memoir of a scarring childhood injury.”

32. It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences: A Writer’s Guide to Crafting Killer Sentences by June Casagrande

“Great writing isn’t born, it’s built—sentence by sentence. But too many writers—and writing guides—overlook this most important unit. The result? Manuscripts that will never be published and writing careers that will never begin. So roll up your sleeves and prepare to craft one bold, effective sentence after another. Your readers will thank you.”

33. The Kick-Ass Writer: 1001 Ways to Write Great Fiction, Get Published, and Earn Your Audience by Chuck Wendig

“The journey to become a successful writer is long, fraught with peril, and filled with difficult questions: How do I write dialogue? How do I build suspense? What should I know about query letters? Where do I start? The best way to answer these questions is to ditch your uncertainty and transform yourself into a KICK-ASS writer.”

34. The Language of Fiction: A Writer’s Stylebook by Brian Shawver

“Grand themes and complex plots are just the beginning of a great piece of fiction. Mastering the nuts and bolts of grammar and prose mechanics is also an essential part of becoming a literary artist. This indispensable guide, created just for writers of fiction, will show you how to take your writing to the next level by exploring the finer points of language.”

“Finally, a truly creative―and hilarious―guide to creative writing, full of encouragement and sound advice. Provocative and reassuring, nurturing and wise, The Lie That Tells a Truth is essential to writers in general, fiction writers in particular, beginning writers, serious writers, and anyone facing a blank page.”

36. The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults by Cheryl Klein

“Editor Cheryl B. Klein guides writers on an enjoyable and practical-minded voyage of their own, from developing a saleable premise for a novel to finding a dream agent. She delves deep into the major elements of fiction―intention, character, plot, and voice―while addressing important topics like diversity, world-building, and the differences between middle-grade and YA novels.”

37. Making a Good Script Great by Linda Seger 

“Making a good script great is more than just a matter of putting a good idea on paper. It requires the working and reworking of that idea. This book takes you through the whole screenwriting process – from initial concept through final rewrite – providing specific methods that will help you craft tighter, stronger, and more saleable scripts.”

38. Memoirs   by Pablo Neruda

“In his uniquely expressive prose, Neruda not only explains his views on poetry and describes the circumstances that inspired many of his poems, but he creates a revealing record of his life as a poet, a patriot, and one of the twentieth century’s true men of conscience.”

39. The Modern Library Writer’s Workshop: A Guide to the Craft of Fiction by Stephen Koch

“Stephen Koch, former chair of Columbia University’s graduate creative writing program, presents a unique guide to the craft of fiction. Along with his own lucid observations and commonsense techniques, he weaves together wisdom, advice, and inspiring commentary from some of our greatest writers.”

“Packed with insights and advice both practical (‘writing workshops you pay for are the best–it’s too easy to quit when you’ve made no investment’) and irreverent (‘apply Part A [butt] to Part B [chair]’). Naked, Drunk, and Writing is a must-have if you are an aspiring columnist, essayist, or memoirist—or just a writer who needs a bit of help in getting your story told.”

41. Negotiating with the Dead: A Writer on Writing by Margaret Atwood

“In this wise and irresistibly quotable book, one of the most intelligent writers working in English addresses the riddle of her art: why people pursue it, how they view their calling, and what bargains they make with their audience, both real and imagined. To these fascinating issues Booker Prize-winner Margaret Atwood brings a candid appraisal of her own experience as well as a breadth of reading that encompasses everything from Dante to Elmore Leonard.”

42. On Writing by Eudora Welty 

“Eudora Welty was one of the twentieth century’s greatest literary figures. For as long as students have been studying her fiction as literature, writers have been looking to her to answer the profound questions of what makes a story good, a novel successful, a writer an artist.”

43. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

“Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer’s craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have.”

44. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser

“Whether you want to write about people or places, science and technology, business, sports, the arts or about yourself in the increasingly popular memoir genre, On Writing Well offers you fundamental principles as well as the insights of a distinguished writer and teacher.”

“Based on the Zen philosophy that we learn more from our failures than from our successes, One Continuous Mistake teaches a refreshing new method for writing as spiritual practice. Here she introduces a method of discipline that applies specific Zen practices to enhance and clarify creative work. She also discusses bodily postures that support writing, how to set up the appropriate writing regimen, and how to discover one’s own ‘learning personality.'”

46. Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success by K.M. Weiland

“Writers often look upon outlines with fear and trembling. But when properly understood and correctly wielded, the outline is one of the most powerful weapons in a writer’s arsenal.”

47. The Paris Review Interviews, Vols. 1-4 by The Paris Review

“For more than half a century, The Paris Review has conducted in-depth interviews with our leading novelists, poets, and playwrights. These revealing, revelatory self-portraits have come to be recognized as themselves classic works of literature, and an essential and definitive record of the writing life.”

48. The Poet’s Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry by Kim Addonizio and Dorianne Laux

“Presents brief essays on the elements of poetry, technique, and suggested subjects for writing, each followed by distinctive writing exercises. The ups and downs of writing life―including self-doubt and writer’s block―are here, along with tips about getting published and writing in the electronic age.”

49. The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning Poets by Ted Kooser

“Using examples from his own rich literary oeuvre and from the work of a number of successful contemporary poets, the author schools us in the critical relationship between poet and reader, which is fundamental to what Kooser believes is poetry’s ultimate purpose: to reach other people and touch their hearts.”

“Have you always wanted to get an MFA, but couldn’t because of the cost, time commitment, or admission requirements? Well now you can fulfill that dream without having to devote tons of money or time. The Portable MFA gives you all of the essential information you would learn in the MFA program in one book.”

51. Paula: A Memoir by Isabel Allende

“Irony and marvelous flights of fantasy mix with the icy reality of Paula’s deathly illness as Allende sketches childhood scenes in Chile and Lebanon; her uncle Salvatore Allende’s reign and ruin as Chilean president; her struggles to shake off or find love; and her metamorphosis into a writer.”

52. Pen on Fire: A Busy Woman’s Guide to Igniting the Writer Within by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett

“In her fifteen years of teaching, Barbara DeMarco-Barrett has found that the biggest stumbling block for aspiring writers (especially women) is not fear of the blank page but frustration with the lack of time. What woman doesn’t have too much to do and too little time? Finding an hour free of work, children, or obligations can seem impossible.”

53. Pixar Storytelling: Rules for Effective Storytelling Based on Pixar’s Greatest Films   by Dean Movshovitz

“ Pixar Storytelling is about effective storytelling rules based on Pixar’s greatest films. The book consists of ten chapters, each of which explores an aspect of storytelling that Pixar excels at. Learn what Pixar’s core story ideas all have in common, how they create compelling, moving conflict and what makes their films’ resolutions so emotionally satisfying.”

54. Plot & Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips Readers from Start to Finish by James Scott Bell 

“How does plot influence story structure? What’s the difference between plotting for commercial and literary fiction? How do you revise a plot or structure that’s gone off course? With Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure , you’ll discover the answers to these questions and more. Award-winning author James Scott Bell offers clear, concise information that will help you create a believable and memorable plot.”

“In this essay of literary autobiography, V. S. Naipaul sifts through memories of his childhood in Trinidad, his university days in England, and his earliest attempts at writing, seeking the experiences of life and reading that shaped his imagination and his growth as a writer.”

56. Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them by Francine Prose

“Long before there were creative-writing workshops and degrees, how did aspiring writers learn to write? By reading the work of their predecessors and contemporaries, says Francine Prose. In Reading Like a Writer , Prose invites you to sit by her side and take a guided tour of the tools and the tricks of the masters.”

57. Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels (How to Write Kissing Books) by Gwen Hayes

“ Romancing the Beat is a recipe, not a rigid system. The beats don’t care if you plot or outline before you write, or if you pants your way through the drafts and do a ‘beat check’ when you’re revising. Pantsers and plotters are both welcome. So sit down, grab a cuppa, and let’s talk about kissing books.”

58. Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder

“This ultimate insider’s guide reveals the secrets that none dare admit, told by a show biz veteran who’s proven that you can sell your script if you can save the cat!”

59. Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living by Manjula Martin 

“In the literary world, the debate around writing and commerce often begs us to take sides: either writers should be paid for everything they do or writers should just pay their dues and count themselves lucky to be published. It’s an endless, confusing, and often controversial conversation that, despite our bare-it-all culture, still remains taboo. In Scratch , Manjula Martin has gathered interviews and essays from established and rising authors to confront the age-old question: how do creative people make money?”

“From concept to character, from opening scene to finished script, here are easily understood guidelines to help aspiring screenwriters—from novices to practiced writers—hone their craft.”

61. Singing School: Learning to Write (And Read) Poetry by Studying with the Masters by Robert Pinsky

“Quick, joyful, and playfully astringent, with surprising comparisons and examples, this collection takes an unconventional approach to the art of poetry. Instead of rules, theories, or recipes, Singing School emphasizes ways to learn from great work: studying magnificent, monumentally enduring poems and how they are made— in terms borrowed from the ‘singing school’ of William Butler Yeats’s ‘Sailing to Byzantium.'”

62. The Situation and the Story: The Art of Personal Narrative by Vivian Gornick

“Taking us on a reading tour of some of the best memoirs and essays of the past hundred years, Gornick traces the changing idea of self that has dominated the century, and demonstrates the enduring truth-speaker to be found in the work of writers as diverse as Edmund Gosse, Joan Didion, Oscar Wilde, James Baldwin, or Marguerite Duras.”

63. Slay the Dragon: Writing Great Video Games by Robert Denton Bryant and Keith Giglio

“Writing for the multibillion-dollar video-game industry is unlike writing for any other medium. Slay the Dragon will help you understand the challenges and offer creative solutions to writing for a medium where the audience not only demands a great story, but to be a driving force within it.”

64. Something to Declare by Julia Alvarez

“From the internationally acclaimed author of the bestselling novels In the Time of the Butterflies and How the García Girls Lost Their Accents comes a rich and revealing work of nonfiction capturing the life and mind of an artist as she knits together the dual themes of coming to America and becoming a writer.”

“This handbook is a short, deceptively simple guide to the craft of writing. Le Guin lays out ten chapters that address the most fundamental components of narrative, from the sound of language to sentence construction to point of view.”

66. Stein On Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies by Sol Stein 

“With examples from bestsellers as well as from students’ drafts, Stein offers detailed sections on characterization, dialogue, pacing, flashbacks, trimming away flabby wording, the so-called ‘triage’ method of revision, using the techniques of fiction to enliven nonfiction, and more.”

67. Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel by Lisa Cron

“Takes you, step-by-step, through the creation of a novel from the first glimmer of an idea, to a complete multilayered blueprint—including fully realized scenes—that evolves into a first draft with the authority, richness, and command of a riveting sixth or seventh draft.”

68. Story Trumps Structure: How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules by Steven James

“All too often, following the ‘rules’ of writing can constrict rather than inspire you. With Story Trumps Structure , you can shed those rules – about three-act structure, rising action, outlining, and more – to craft your most powerful, emotional, and gripping stories.”

69. The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gottschall

“Humans live in landscapes of make-believe. We spin fantasies. We devour novels, films, and plays. Even sporting events and criminal trials unfold as narratives. Yet the world of story has long remained an undiscovered and unmapped country. Now Jonathan Gottschall offers the first unified theory of storytelling. He argues that stories help us navigate life’s complex social problems–just as flight simulators prepare pilots for difficult situations. Storytelling has evolved, like other behaviors, to ensure our survival.”

“When it comes to writing books, are you a ‘plotter’ or a ‘pantser’? Is one method really better than the other? In this instructional book, author Libbie Hawker explains the benefits and technique of planning a story before you begin to write.”

71. TED Talks Storytelling: 23 Storytelling Techniques from the Best TED Talks by Akash Karia

“Essentially, the best speakers on the TED stage were the ones who had mastered the art of storytelling. They had mastered how to craft and present their stories in a way that allowed them to share their message with the world without seeming like they were lecturing their audience.”

72. This Is The Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett

“Blending literature and memoir, Ann Patchett, author of State of Wonder, Run, and Bel Canto , examines her deepest commitments—to writing, family, friends, dogs, books, and her husband—creating a resonant portrait of a life in This is the Story of a Happy Marriage. “

73. This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley

“No more excuses. ‘Let the lawn get shaggy and the paint peel from the walls,’ bestselling novelist Walter Mosley advises. Anyone can write a novel now, and in this essential book of tips, practical advice, and wisdom, Walter Mosley promises that the writer-in-waiting can finish it in one year.”

74. Thrill Me: Essays on Fiction by Benjamin Percy

“In fifteen essays on the craft of fiction, Percy looks to disparate sources such as Jaws , Blood Meridian, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to discover how contemporary writers engage issues of plot, suspense, momentum, and the speculative, as well as character, setting, and dialogue. An urgent and entertaining missive on craft, Thrill Me brims with Percy’s distinctive blend of anecdotes, advice, and close reading, all in the service of one dictum: Thrill the reader.”

“Combining more than forty years of lessons from his storied career as a writer and professor, Lopate brings us this highly anticipated nuts-and-bolts guide to writing literary nonfiction. A phenomenal master class shaped by Lopate’s informative, accessible tone and immense gift for storytelling, To Show and To Tell reads like a long walk with a favorite professor—refreshing, insightful, and encouraging in often unexpected ways.”

76. The Tough Guide to Fantasyland: The Essential Guide to Fantasy Travel by Diana Wynne Jones

“Imagine that all fantasy novels—the ones featuring dragons, knights, wizards, and magic—are set in the same place. That place is called Fantasyland. The Tough Guide to Fantasyland is your travel guide, a handbook to everything you might find: Evil, the Dark Lord, Stew, Boots (but not Socks), and what passes for Economics and Ecology. Both a hilarious send-up of the cliches of the genre and an indispensable guide for writers.”

77. Unless It Moves the Human Heart: The Craft and Art of Writing by Roger Rosenblatt

“The revered novelist, essayist, playwright, and respected writing teacher offers a guidebook for aspiring authors, a memoir, and an impassioned argument for the necessity of writing in our world.”

78. Upstream by Mary Oliver

“Throughout this collection, Oliver positions not just herself upstream but us as well as she encourages us all to keep moving, to lose ourselves in the awe of the unknown, and to give power and time to the creative and whimsical urges that live within us.”

79. Video Game Storytelling: What Every Developer Needs to Know about Narrative Techniques by Evan Skolnick 

“Game writer and producer Evan Skolnick provides a comprehensive yet easy-to-follow guide to storytelling basics and how they can be applied at every stage of the development process—by all members of the team.”

“In this classic book, Madeleine L’Engle addresses the questions, What makes art Christian? What does it mean to be a Christian artist? What is the relationship between faith and art? Through L’Engle’s beautiful and insightful essay, readers will find themselves called to what the author views as the prime tasks of an artist: to listen, to remain aware, and to respond to creation through one’s own art.”

81. The Way of the Writer: Reflections on the Art and Craft of Storytelling by Charles Johnson

“Johnson shares his lessons and exercises from the classroom, starting with word choice, sentence structure, and narrative voice, and delving into the mechanics of scene, dialogue, plot and storytelling before exploring the larger questions at stake for the serious writer. What separates literature from industrial fiction? What lies at the heart of the creative impulse? How does one navigate the literary world? And how are philosophy and fiction concomitant?”

82. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

“While simply training for New York City Marathon would be enough for most people, Haruki Murakami’s decided to write about it as well. The result is a beautiful memoir about his intertwined obsessions with running and writing, full of vivid memories and insights, including the eureka moment when he decided to become a writer.”

83. What Moves at the Margin by Toni Morrison

“Collects three decades of Toni Morrison’s writings about her work, her life, literature, and American society. The works included in this volume range from 1971, when Morrison was a new editor at Random House and a beginning novelist, to 2002 when she was a professor at Princeton University and Nobel Laureate. These works provide a unique glimpse into Morrison’s viewpoint as an observer of the world, the arts, and the changing landscape of American culture.”

84. Where the Past Begins: A Writer’s Memoir by Amy Tan 

“By delving into vivid memories of her traumatic childhood, confessions of self-doubt in her journals, and heartbreaking letters to and from her mother, she gives evidence to all that made it both unlikely and inevitable that she would become a writer. Through spontaneous storytelling, she shows how a fluid fictional state of mind unleashed near-forgotten memories that became the emotional nucleus of her novels.”

“This all-new definitive guide to writing imaginative fiction takes a completely novel approach and fully exploits the visual nature of fantasy through original drawings, maps, renderings, and exercises to create a spectacularly beautiful and inspiring object.”

86. Woolgathering by Patti Smith

“A great book about becoming an artist, Woolgathering tells of a youngster finding herself as she learns the noble vocation of woolgathering, ‘a worthy calling that seemed a good job for me.’ She discovers―often at night, often in nature―the pleasures of rescuing ‘a fleeting thought.’ Deeply moving, Woolgathering calls up our own memories, as the child ‘glimpses and gleans, piecing together a crazy quilt of truths.'”

87. Words for Pictures: The Art and Business of Writing Comics and Graphic Novels by Brian Michael Bendis

“One of the most popular writers in modern comics, Brian Michael Bendis reveals the tools and techniques he and other top creators use to create some of the most popular comic book and graphic novel stories of all time.”

88. Write Naked: A Bestseller’s Secrets to Writing Romance & Navigating the Path to Success by Jennifer Probst

“Learn how to transform your passion for writing into a career. New York Times best-selling author Jennifer Probst reveals her pathway to success, from struggling as a new writer to signing a seven-figure deal. Write Naked intermingles personal essays on craft with down-to-earth advice on writing romance in the digital age.”

89. Write Your Novel in a Month: How to Complete a First Draft in 30 Days and What to Do Next by Jeff Gerke

“Author and instructor Jeff Gerke has created the perfect tool to show you how to prepare yourself to write your first draft in as little as 30 days. With Jeff’s help, you will learn how to organize your ideas, create dynamic stories, develop believable characters, and flesh out the idea narrative for your novel–and not just for the rapid-fire first draft.”

“Explores the powerful relationship between mythology and storytelling in a clear, concise style that’s made it required reading for movie executives, screenwriters, playwrights, scholars, and fans of pop culture all over the world.”

91. Writer’s Market 2018: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published by Robert Lee Brewer

“Want to get published and paid for your writing? Let Writer’s Market guide you through the process with thousands of publishing opportunities for writers, including listings for book publishers, consumer and trade magazines, contests and awards, and literary agents. These listings feature contact and submission information to help writers get their work published.”

92. Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg

“For more than thirty years Natalie Goldberg has been challenging and cheering on writers with her books and workshops. In her groundbreaking first book, she brings together Zen meditation and writing in a new way. Writing practice, as she calls it, is no different from other forms of Zen practice—’it is backed by two thousand years of studying the mind.'”

93. Writing Hard Stories: Celebrated Memoirists Who Shaped Art from Trauma by Melanie Brooks

“What does it take to write an honest memoir? And what happens to us when we embark on that journey? Melanie Brooks sought guidance from the memoirists who most moved her to answer these questions. Called an essential book for creative writers by Poets & Writers, Writing Hard Stories is a unique compilation of authentic stories about the death of a partner, parent, or child; about violence and shunning; and about the process of writing.”

94. The Writing Life by Annie Dillard

“Slender though it is, The Writing Life richly conveys the torturous, tortuous, and in rare moments, transcendent existence of the writer. Amid moving accounts of her own writing (and life) experiences, Dillard also manages to impart wisdom to other writers, wisdom having to do with passion and commitment and taking the work seriously.”

“Culled from ten years of the distinguished Washington Post column of the same name, The Writing Life highlights an eclectic group of luminaries who have wildly varied stories to tell, but who share this singularly beguiling career. Here are their pleasures as well as their peeves; revelations of their deepest fears; dramas of triumphs and failures; insights into the demands and rewards.”

96. Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly by Gail Caron Levine

“Gail Carson Levine shows how you can get terrific ideas for stories, invent great beginnings and endings, write sparkling dialogue, develop memorable characters—and much, much more. She advises you about what to do when you feel stuck—and how to use helpful criticism. Best of all, she offers writing exercises that will set your imagination on fire.”

97. Writing Tools: 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark 

“Ten years ago, Roy Peter Clark, America’s most influential writing teacher, whittled down almost thirty years of experience in journalism, writing, and teaching into a series of fifty short essays on different aspects of writing. In the past decade, Writing Tools has become a classic guidebook for novices and experts alike and remains one of the best loved books on writing available.”

98. Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes

“This poignant, intimate, and hilarious memoir explores Shonda’s life before her Year of Yes —from her nerdy, book-loving childhood to her devotion to creating television characters who reflected the world she saw around her. The book chronicles her life after her Year of Yes had begun—when Shonda forced herself out of the house and onto the stage; when she learned to explore, empower, applaud, and love her truest self. Yes.”

99. Your Creative Writing Masterclass by Jergen Wolff

“If you dream of being a writer, why not learn from the best? In Your Creative Writing Masterclass you’ll find ideas, techniques and encouragement from the most admired and respected contemporary and classic authors, including Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and Anton Chekhov.”

“Part memoir, part philosophical guide, the essays in this book teach the joy of writing. Rather than focusing on the mechanics of putting words on paper, Bradbury’s zen is found in the celebration of storytelling that drove him to write every day. Imparting lessons he has learned over the course of his exuberant career, Bradbury inspires with his infectious enthusiasm.”

Writing is a big messy topic, so obviously I’ll have missed some of your favorite and best books on writing. Make sure to hit the comments to talk about your favorite books about the writing life and craft. Find more of our posts on the writing life here .

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The 7 Best Books On Creative Writing

• September 26, 2022
• No Comments
• Craft , Inspiration

Perhaps I think of these as “the best” books on writing because they are my favorites. These books are the top picks from a longer list I give to my coaching clients and retreat participants and are the ones I always recommend first. They are the books I read early in my writing career, and I return to them again and again for inspiration and guidance in my writing and teaching. 

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg 

This was the first book on writing I ever read, and it catapulted me into my writing life. It was a groundbreaking book in which Goldberg gives writing advice drawn from her years as a writing teacher and her Buddist beliefs. 

The chapters are short and easy to read, and each contains a gem that will get your pen moving. Goldberg is gentle, encouraging, and inspiring.  

Writing Down The Bones is more focused on creating a writing practice than on the craft of writing and is perfect for beginning writers or seasoned writers who want to refresh their practice or see their work through a different lens.

The latest edition includes a new preface in which Goldberg reflects on the enduring quality of her teachings.

“ What have I learned about writing over these thirty years? I’ve written fourteen books, and it’s the practice here in Bones that is the foundation, sustaining and building my writing voice, that keeps me honest, teaches me how to endure the hard times and how to drop below discursive thinking, to taste the real meat of our minds and the life around us. “

If you don’t already have this on your shelf, go out and buy the latest edition. It will take you deep and make you think.

What If? by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter

One of the first writing workshops I attended was with Anne and Pamela at Castle Hill on Cape Cod. The exercises they had us use in the workshop were designed to develop two basic skills: writing like a writer and (just as important) thinking like a writer, and these same tenets are at the core of What If ? 

This book provides over seventy-five exercises for both beginners and experienced writers that cover such topics as learning when to use dialogue vs. indirect discourse, where to begin and end stories, and finding language that conveys precisely what you want to say.

My copy is dog-eared from years of searching for clarification on topics such as journaling, point of view, plot, characterization, dialogue, and more. I think it’s an essential addition to every writer’s library—if you don’t have it, go get it.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions On Writing And Life by Anne Lamott

This was the first book I read on writing that was fun (and funny), which is not to say it doesn’t give excellent advice to writers. It is a wise, big-hearted, and often hilarious book on writing.

Lamott honestly explores the mental challenges of living the writer’s life and understands better than anyone that writers need help. It’s somehow reassuring that she who writes so well does, in fact, have trouble writing at times … just like the rest of us.

Her words are inspiring, and many of her writing exercises are more like lessons in understanding ourselves as writers and humans. It’s a wonderful shot in the arm, and you’ll be forever grateful to have this one on your bookshelf.

Writing from the Heart by Nancy Slonim Aronie

I picked up Aronie’s book in a bookstore on Martha’s Vineyard one summer, and I loved it so much that I returned the following summer to attend her writing workshop, The Chilmark Writers Workshop . Many years later, she accepted my invitation to guest teach at my own writing workshop on Nantucket Island and had us all laughing, crying, and writing deeply in no time.

In this book, with the same warmth and humor she brings to her workshops, Aronie provides advice and lessons on writing as a path to self-healing. By unlearning the damaging self-doubt taught in school, she inspires us to take the risk of writing from the heart.

“ You mine for gold, and you find gold. This workshop is about honoring your own voice, writing in your own rhythms, using your own language, and writing your own stories. Here is where we stop the inner critic in his tracks. I know it’s possible because I have seen it happen over and over again. “

— Nancy Slonim Aronie

 If you want to discover your truth and bring it to your writing, this is the book for you.

Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craf t by Janet Burroway

This is my all-time favorite book on the craft of writing fiction. The copy on my shelf is fringed with curling post-it-note tabs leftover from the days of working on my MFA thesis … a million years ago. It was my bible then, and it still calls to me regularly.

Burroway is an excellent guide into the world of fiction writing, from first inspiration to final revision. She covers everything that goes into the architecture of a story and is a master at posing questions that help writers approach their work from an artist’s perspective.

This book is brilliantly organized and packed with solid instruction, entertaining stories, and inspiring exercises. If you are serious about writing fiction, it’s a must for your bookshelf.

The Right to Write by Julia Cameron

This book was published long after I’d discovered Cameron’s revolutionary book, The Artist’s Way , but it was no less illuminating. Cameron believes that it is human nature to write and that “Conventional writing wisdom would have you believe in a doctrine that is false and that stifles creativity.” As someone who named her business A Writer Within , you would be correct to imagine that I agree with her on the first count, and if you’ve worked with me, you know that my approach to teaching reflects the second. 

The writing techniques and exercises she offers are practical and playful and, at the same time, make writing a profound experience. The illustrative stories she shares, both her own and those of other writers, are thoughtful, provocative, and inspiring.

If you are looking for a fresh approach to creating a writing practice and accessing your creative flow, this is one of the most important books to have on your shelf. 

  On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Last but certainly not least, this is one of my all-time favorite books on writing. This book was published when I was well along my writing path, but reading it was like discovering writing all over again. King gives us an irreverent, revealing, straightforward account of what it is to be a writer. He takes us from his childhood penchant for telling stories through adolescence and college and into the struggles of midlife with honesty and humor.

He offers practical and inspiring advice on elements of the craft, including character development, plot, setting, dialogue, work habits, and handling rejection, to name but a few.

You will definitely want King’s tools in your writing toolbox.

Other favorites include:

If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland 

Walking on Alligators by Susan Shaughnessy

Writing from the Body by John Lee

The Art of Fiction by John Gardner 

Creating Fiction   by Julia Checkoway

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White

I hope this list has been helpful. Let me know.

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Hi, I’m Kathryn Kay, the founder of A Writer Within. I offer support and inspiration to women writers through one-on-one coaching, editing services, and week-long retreats in Tuscany. My focus is on getting writers into the creative flow, beyond their internal critic, and their very best stories onto the page. If you have a writer within, let’s set her free!

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10 Best Creative Writing Books to Read in 2023

The world of creative writing possesses an extraordinary ability to unleash imagination, craft narratives, and evoke emotions that resonate with readers. Whether you're an aspiring writer or simply someone who appreciates the art of storytelling, consider Oxford Summer Courses. Embark on a transformative journey through our Creative Writing summer school, where you will have the opportunity to explore the art of crafting compelling narratives, experimenting with various writing styles, and honing your literary skills.

Where are Oxford Summer Courses Hosted?

Disclaimer:.

Please note that the following list of books is recommended reading to broaden your knowledge and deepen your appreciation of creative writing and literature. While some of these books may be included in the Oxford Summer Courses curriculum, the specific content of the summer school can vary. If you wish to study these subjects with us, you can apply to our Creative Writing summer school.

1. On Writing, by Stephen King

• "Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work."
• Published in 2000, "On Writing" by Stephen King is a masterclass in the craft of storytelling. It combines King's personal journey as a writer with practical advice on honing your writing skills during your time at Oxford Summer Courses.
• Discussion: How can Stephen King's advice on discipline and the writing process benefit aspiring writers at Oxford Summer Courses today?

2. Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott

• "Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere."
• Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird" is an encouraging guide for writers facing the daunting task of putting words on the page. Through humor and personal anecdotes, she offers valuable insights into the writing process during your Creative Writing summer school at Oxford Summer Courses.
• Discussion: How does Lamott's emphasis on "shitty first drafts" resonate with your own experiences as a writer at Oxford Summer Courses?

3. The Elements of Style, by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

• "Omit needless words."
• A timeless classic, "The Elements of Style" is a concise guide to writing well. It provides essential rules of grammar and composition that every writer should know, especially during their time at Oxford Summer Courses.
• Discussion: How do the principles outlined in "The Elements of Style" apply to various forms of creative writing, from fiction to poetry, at Oxford Summer Courses?

4. The story, by Robert McKee

• "Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact."
• Robert McKee's "Story" is a comprehensive exploration of the principles behind effective storytelling. It's a must-read for anyone looking to understand the structure and elements of compelling narratives during their time at Oxford Summer Courses.
• Discussion: How can the insights from "Story" enhance your ability to construct engaging and impactful stories during your Creative Writing summer school at Oxford Summer Courses?

5. Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert

• "Do whatever brings you to life, then. Follow your own fascinations, obsessions, and compulsions. Trust them. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart."
• In "Big Magic," Elizabeth Gilbert delves into the creative process and encourages writers to embrace their creativity with courage and curiosity, a valuable lesson during your time at Oxford Summer Courses.
• Discussion: How can Gilbert's philosophy on creativity inspire you to approach your writing with a sense of wonder and daring at Oxford Summer Courses?

6. The Art of Fiction, by John Gardner

• "Fiction seeks out truth. The writer has to go into the dark, quiet spaces of himself and feel around for the truth."
• John Gardner's "The Art of Fiction" offers profound insights into the art and craft of writing fiction. It explores the intricacies of character development, plot, and the writer's role in conveying truth through storytelling during your Creative Writing summer school at Oxford Summer Courses.
• Discussion: How can Gardner's exploration of truth in fiction inform your own creative writing endeavors at Oxford Summer Courses?

7. Writing Down the Bones, by Natalie Goldberg

• "Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open."
• Natalie Goldberg's "Writing Down the Bones" is a meditative guide to writing practice. It encourages writers to tap into their innermost thoughts and emotions during their Creative Writing summer school at Oxford Summer Courses.
• Discussion: How can Goldberg's approach to writing as a form of meditation help you access deeper layers of creativity in your work at Oxford Summer Courses?

8. The Elements of Eloquence, by Mark Forsyth

• "Rhetoric is the art of dressing up some unimportant matter to fool the audience for the moment."
• "The Elements of Eloquence" explores the art of rhetoric and language play. Mark Forsyth's witty and informative book will inspire you to experiment with language in your writing during your time at Oxford Summer Courses.
• Discussion: How can a deeper understanding of rhetorical devices enhance your ability to craft persuasive and evocative prose at Oxford Summer Courses?

9. Zen in the Art of Writing, by Ray Bradbury

• "Every morning I jump out of bed and step on a landmine. The landmine is me. After the explosion, I spent the rest of the day putting the pieces together."
• Ray Bradbury's "Zen in the Art of Writing" is a collection of essays that celebrate the joy and passion of writing. Bradbury shares his insights on creativity and the writing life during your Creative Writing summer school at Oxford Summer Courses.
• Discussion: How can Bradbury's enthusiasm for writing infuse your own creative process with energy and purpose at Oxford Summer Courses?

10. The Nighttime Novelist, by Joseph Bates

• "Writing is an exploration of the heart."
• "The Nighttime Novelist" by Joseph Bates is a practical guide for writers who balance their craft with busy lives. It offers strategies for maximizing your writing time and making progress on your projects during your time at Oxford Summer Courses.
• Discussion: How can the techniques outlined in "The Nighttime Novelist" help you maintain a consistent and productive writing practice at Oxford Summer Courses?

Oxford Summer Courses invites you to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of creative writing during your time at our summer school. In this blog post, we present a meticulously curated list of 10 classic books that will ignite your imagination and deepen your understanding of the art of storytelling. From Stephen King's practical wisdom in "On Writing" to Ray Bradbury's celebration of the writing life in "Zen in the Art of Writing," these books will serve as your companions on your creative writing journey at Oxford Summer Courses. Through our Creative Writing program, you will have the opportunity to explore these influential texts, share your insights with fellow writers, and refine your craft. Join us on this literary adventure and embark on a transformative experience that will shape your writing skills and inspire your creative spirit during your time at Oxford Summer Courses. Who knows, you might just discover a newfound passion for the art of storytelling and create narratives that resonate with readers for generations to come.

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Ignite your passion for creative writing at Oxford Summer Courses. Immerse yourself in a carefully curated list of books that will spark your creativity, refine your storytelling abilities, and help you embark on a transformative journey as a writer.

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25 best books on writing books for authors that want to master their craft

When I decided I wanted to be a writer, I got my hands on everything I could about plotting, prose, story and character development and the art of creative writing.

Here’s what I learned: the majority of books from famous writers are self-reflecting memoirs with a handful of good life lessons. Inspirational, but not  useful.

Although – I will add – sometimes inspiration is  exactly the missing piece; because without a burning desire to succeed as a writer, few authors will take the time to master their craft.

What is “craft”? Craft is the skill of doing something well; of  making something.

In my opinion, 

Craft is the “how”. Art is the “why.”

Most writers and even many gurus (especially the famous writers) only focus on the art, the why, the passion. But writing a passionate book is not the same as writing a good book.

YOU do not get to define the quality, or the value of your work – that depends on its impact, which means ultimately, readers will decide for themselves (although you can get better at communicating the value).

I’ll also point out, when most people talk about the craft of writing, they’re actually talking  about the art: the flowery, ornamental, sentence-by-sentence choice of words that few real readers will care about. While pretty writing can be an effective additional  feature of a book, it  is not  the book.

So when I talk about the craft of writing, I’m talking about the nuts-and-bolts, universal tips, tools, lessons, techniques and strategies that you can actually use to avoid common amateur mistakes and make your manuscript stronger.

In my opinion, there are too few books like this: and instead a whole bunch of completely separate, unique approaches, so that when you read them all, you’re actually left to pick and choose or assimilate as many useful approaches as possible.

That’s why I wrote BookCraft: a complete system to writing books readers love .

But it took me a PhD, a few dozen books and a decade to get there, and I’m indebted to the insights of many great writers who came before me; peers in my field or the publishing industry; and story experts.

Best Books on Writing Books

So without further ado, these are what I think are the  most useful books for authors who are determined to improve their writing. PS. I’m also including some “author writing business” books – because the first step to good writing is understanding that art is creativity focused into an object of value.

Figuring out who your audience is, what they expect and appreciate, and how to make them happy will be critical to your success, confidence, skill and writing craft (because the more people like your writing, and the faster you see favorable results, the more likely you’re going to persevere and move from inexperienced to masterful.)

I didn’t list them in preference, but my top three: nobody wants to read your shit; plot perfect; and write from the middle.

1. “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King

Stephen King’s “On Writing” is part autobiography, part writing masterclass. It’s divided into several sections, each offering unique insights into the writing process.

Key writing advice:

• Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open. This means to write your first draft for yourself, then consider your audience during revision.
• Set a daily writing goal. King suggests 1000 words per day, six days a week.
• Read a lot and write a lot. King emphasizes that these are the two most important things a writer can do to improve their craft.
• Avoid passive voice and adverbs. King believes these weaken writing.
• “The road to hell is paved with adverbs.”
• Use vocabulary that feels natural to you. Don’t try to impress with big words.
• Story is more important than plot. Let your characters drive the story.

King also provides practical advice on creating a writing space, finding an agent, and dealing with rejection. His frank discussion of his own struggles with addiction adds a personal touch that many readers find inspiring.

2. “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life” by Anne Lamott

Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird” is known for its warmth, humor, and practical advice. The title comes from a childhood anecdote about her brother struggling with a bird report, to which their father advised, “Just take it bird by bird.”

• Write “shitty first drafts.” Lamott emphasizes that all good writing starts with terrible first efforts.
• Focus on short assignments. Instead of thinking about writing a whole book, focus on filling a small picture frame with words.
• Listen to your “broccoli.” This metaphor encourages writers to trust their intuition.
• Use index cards to jot down ideas whenever they come to you.
• Develop your characters through their actions, not just descriptions.
• “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor.” Don’t let the pursuit of perfection paralyze you.
• Writing groups can be helpful, but choose them carefully.

Lamott’s book is less about technical writing skills and more about the emotional and psychological aspects of being a writer. She offers advice on dealing with jealousy, writer’s block, and the fear of failure.

3. “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

This classic guide to writing is concise yet comprehensive. It focuses on the fundamental principles of English usage and composition.

• Use active voice. “The dog bit the man” is more direct than “The man was bitten by the dog.”
• Be concise. “Omit needless words” is one of the book’s most famous pieces of advice.
• Use parallel construction on concepts that are parallel. For example, “He liked to eat apples and to swim in the lake” should be “He liked to eat apples and swim in the lake.”
• Place emphatic words at the end of a sentence.
• Use definite, specific, concrete language.
• Avoid fancy words. “Use” is better than “utilize.”
• Do not overwrite or overstate.
• Avoid qualifiers like “very,” “little,” “pretty.”

While some modern writers find parts of “The Elements of Style” outdated, its core principles of clarity and concision remain valuable.

4. “Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within” by Natalie Goldberg

Natalie Goldberg’s approach combines writing practice with Zen meditation principles. Her book focuses on the process of writing rather than the product.

• Practice “freewriting.” Write for a set time without stopping or editing.
• “Keep your hand moving.” Don’t pause to reread what you’ve written until you’re done.
• “Don’t cross out.” Even if you write something you didn’t mean to write, leave it.
• “Don’t worry about punctuation, spelling, grammar.” That can be fixed later.
• “Lose control.” Let go of your inner critic while writing.
• “Go for the jugular.” If something scary comes up, dive right into it.
• Use specific details. “Don’t tell readers what to feel. Show them the situation, and that feeling will awaken in them.”
• Write from “first thoughts,” the way your mind first flashes on something.

Goldberg’s book is particularly useful for writers struggling with self-doubt or writer’s block. It encourages a mindful, meditative approach to writing that can help unlock creativity.

5. “Save the Cat! Writes a Novel” by Jessica Brody

Based on Blake Snyder’s screenwriting guide, Brody’s book applies the “Save the Cat!” beat sheet to novel writing. It provides a structured approach to plotting and pacing.

• Use the “Save the Cat!” beat sheet, which includes 15 key plot points every story should have.
• Start with a “killer logline” that summarizes your story in one sentence.
• Your protagonist should have a “save the cat” moment early on to make them likable.
• The “catalyst” (inciting incident) should happen by 10% of the way through your book.
• Include a “dark night of the soul” where all seems lost for your protagonist around 75% of the way through.
• End with a “final image” that’s a mirror of your opening image, showing how much has changed.
• Identify your story’s genre and study its conventions.
• Create a “story spine” before you start writing, but be flexible as you draft.

Brody’s book is particularly useful for writers who struggle with structure or for those working on their first novel. It provides a clear roadmap for plotting, while still allowing room for creativity within that structure.

6. “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron

Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” is a 12-week course designed to unblock creativity and foster artistic recovery. While not exclusively about writing, it has been embraced by many writers as a tool for overcoming creative blocks.

• Practice “Morning Pages”: Write three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing every morning.
• Take yourself on weekly “Artist Dates”: Solo expeditions to explore something that interests you.
• Use “affirmations” to combat negative self-talk about your creativity.
• “Creativity is God’s gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God.”
• Pay attention to “synchronicity”: Seemingly coincidental events that can inspire your work.
• Protect your “artist child” from critical voices, both internal and external.
• Recognize and combat your personal “censor,” the internal voice of judgment.
• “Progress, not perfection” is the goal in creative recovery.

Cameron’s approach is spiritual and holistic, focusing on nurturing the artist as a whole person rather than just developing technical skills.

7. “Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting” by Robert McKee

While primarily focused on screenwriting, McKee’s “Story” offers invaluable insights for all forms of narrative writing.

• “Story is about principles, not rules.” Learn the principles, then adapt them to your needs.
• Understand the difference between “plot” (the external journey) and “story” (the internal journey).
• Create dimensional characters through consistent desires and unconscious desires.
• Use “progressive complications” to build tension and keep the audience engaged.
• The “gap” between expectation and result drives a story forward.
• Scenes should turn on changes of “values” – positive to negative or vice versa.
• The “controlling idea” is the story’s ultimate meaning expressed through the resolution of the last act.
• “Write the truth. Never compromise. Dare to take risks.”

McKee’s book is dense with information and may require multiple readings, but it offers a comprehensive understanding of story structure and character development.

8. “Self-Editing for Fiction Writers” by Renni Browne and Dave King

This practical guide focuses on the revision process, teaching writers how to polish their own work to a professional standard.

• “Show, don’t tell” – let readers experience the story through action, words, thoughts, senses, and feelings rather than through the author’s exposition.
• Be wary of “character tags” (repetitive actions or phrases) that can make characters seem one-dimensional.
• Use dialogue to reveal character and move the story forward, not to dump information.
• Avoid “tom swifties” and overuse of dialogue attribution – let the dialogue speak for itself when possible.
• Be cautious with adverbs, especially in dialogue attribution.
• Vary sentence structure and paragraph length for better rhythm.
• Use “proportion” to give the most space to the most important events.
• Be consistent with point of view – avoid “head-hopping” within scenes.

Browne and King provide numerous before-and-after examples, making their advice concrete and easy to apply.

9. “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield

Pressfield’s book is less about the technical aspects of writing and more about overcoming the psychological barriers that prevent us from creating.

• Recognize and combat “Resistance” – the internal force that fights against creative efforts.
• Turn pro: Approach your writing with the dedication and consistency of a professional, not an amateur.
• “The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying.”
• Don’t wait for inspiration – it comes during the work, not before.
• Seek to serve the Muse, not your ego.
• Accept fear as part of the creative process, but don’t let it stop you.
• “Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention… It’s a gift to the world and every being in it.”
• Separate the process of creating from the results – focus on doing the work, not on success or failure.

Pressfield’s approach is motivational and philosophical, aiming to change the reader’s mindset about creative work.

10. “Zen in the Art of Writing” by Ray Bradbury

Bradbury’s book is a collection of essays that blend practical advice with the joy and zen of writing.

• Write with “zest” and “gusto” – let your enthusiasm shine through your work.
• “You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.”
• Write every day – Bradbury wrote 1000 words daily for decades.
• Follow your intuition: “Your intuition knows what it wants to write, so get out of the way.”
• Use list-making as a way to generate ideas and tap into your subconscious.
• Read poetry every day to enrich your language and imagery.
• Don’t write for money or fame, write for the joy of it.
• “Remember: Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow after your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations.”
• Embrace your uniqueness: “You are a specialized version of a human being.”

Bradbury’s approach emphasizes the joy and passion of writing, encouraging writers to tap into their inner child and write from a place of wonder and excitement.

James Scott Bell’s book is a comprehensive guide to crafting compelling plots and solid story structures.

• Use the “LOCK” system: Lead character, Objective, Confrontation, Knockout ending.
• Structure your novel using the “three-act paradigm”: beginning hook, middle build, and ending payoff.
• Create a “disturbance” early in your story to grab the reader’s attention.
• Utilize “doorways of no return” – points where the character can’t go back to their old life.
• Develop subplots that echo or contrast with the main plot.
• Use “signpost scenes” to keep your story on track.
• Create tension on every page through conflict, surprise, or raising story questions.
• End chapters with “hooks” to keep readers engaged.
• Revise your plot using the “LOCK” system as a checklist.

Bell’s approach is particularly useful for writers who struggle with plot development or maintaining narrative momentum.

12. “Writing the Breakout Novel” by Donald Maass

Literary agent Donald Maass shares insights on what makes a novel stand out in the crowded publishing market.

• Create larger-than-life characters with conflicting traits and strong inner conflicts.
• Develop a “high-stakes” plot where both public and personal stakes are significant.
• Use multiple subplots to add depth and complexity to your story.
• Create a vivid, multidimensional setting that becomes almost a character itself.
• Incorporate universal themes that resonate with a wide audience.
• Use dialogue to reveal character and advance the plot simultaneously.
• Create moments of gut-wrenching emotion to deeply engage readers.
• Surprise readers with plot twists and character revelations.
• End each scene with a “promissory note” that pulls the reader forward.

Maass’s book is particularly valuable for writers aiming to transition from good to great and potentially break out in the commercial market.

13. “The Writing Life” by Annie Dillard

Annie Dillard’s book is a poetic and philosophical exploration of what it means to be a writer.

• “Write as if you were dying.” Put your whole self into your writing.
• Be willing to “punch a hole” in your manuscript and start again if necessary.
• “The feeling that the work is magnificent, and the feeling that it is abominable, are both mosquitoes to be repelled, ignored, or killed, but not indulged.”
• “Get to work. Your work is to keep cranking the flywheel that turns the gears that spin the belt in the engine of belief that keeps you and your desk in midair.”
• “The writer studies literature, not the world.” Read extensively to improve your craft.
• “Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book… give it, give it all, give it now.”
• “Write about winter in the summer.” Distance can provide perspective.
• “The line of words is a hammer. You hammer against the walls of your house. You tap the walls, lightly, everywhere. After giving many years’ attention to these things, you know what to listen for.”

Dillard’s approach is less about technique and more about the mindset and lifestyle of a committed writer.

14. “Steering the Craft: A Twenty-First-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story” by Ursula K. Le Guin

Ursula K. Le Guin, a master of both science fiction and fantasy, offers a guide to the fundamental components of narrative.

• Pay close attention to the sound and rhythm of your prose, even in silent reading.
• Practice writing in different points of view to understand their effects and limitations.
• Use verb tenses consistently and intentionally for different narrative effects.
• Master the “crowded sentence” – complex sentences that carry a lot of information elegantly.
• Understand when to use exposition and when to use scene.
• Practice “pure narration” – telling a story without dialogue or scene-setting.
• Use repetition deliberately for emphasis or rhythm.
• Pay attention to implicit as well as explicit information in your writing.
• “The important thing is to know what you’re doing and why.”

Le Guin’s book includes practical exercises for each concept, making it particularly useful for writers looking to actively improve their craft.

15. “The Emotional Craft of Fiction” by Donald Maass

In this book, literary agent Donald Maass focuses on how to create emotional experiences for readers.

• Focus on creating emotional experiences rather than simply describing emotions.
• Use “emotional triggers” – small details that evoke strong feelings.
• Create characters with conflicting emotions to add depth and realism.
• Develop a character’s emotional journey alongside their plot journey.
• Use “microtension” on every page to keep readers engaged.
• Create moments of character insight and growth to emotionally involve readers.
• Use setting and description to evoke emotion.
• Harness the power of character change to create satisfying story arcs.
• “The most powerful emotional moments are often quiet ones.”

Maass’s approach is particularly useful for writers looking to create more emotionally engaging and memorable stories.

16. “Reading Like a Writer” by Francine Prose

Francine Prose’s book focuses on the art of close reading as a means to improve one’s writing.

• Read slowly and carefully, paying attention to word choice, sentence structure, and narrative techniques.
• Study how great writers use dialogue to reveal character and advance the plot.
• Pay attention to paragraph structure and how it affects pacing and emphasis.
• Learn from the masters by analyzing their use of narration, character development, and detail.
• Don’t be afraid to imitate writers you admire as a learning exercise.
• “Every page was once a blank page, just as every word that appears on it now was not always there, but instead reflects the final result of countless large and small deliberations.”
• Study how writers create and sustain narrative momentum.
• Pay attention to how writers handle the passage of time in their stories.
• “Read carnivorously.” Be willing to learn from any good writing, regardless of genre or style.

Prose’s approach emphasizes the connection between reading and writing, making it particularly valuable for writers who want to deepen their understanding of craft through careful study of literature.

17. “The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers” by Christopher Vogler

Christopher Vogler’s book applies Joseph Campbell’s concept of the Hero’s Journey to writing, particularly for screenplays but applicable to novels as well.

• Understand the 12 stages of the Hero’s Journey and how they can structure a story: Ordinary World, Call to Adventure, Refusal of the Call, Meeting with the Mentor, Crossing the Threshold, Tests/Allies/Enemies, Approach to the Inmost Cave, Ordeal, Reward, The Road Back, Resurrection, Return with Elixir.
• Use archetypal characters (Hero, Mentor, Threshold Guardian, Herald, Shapeshifter, Shadow, Ally, Trickster) to create resonant, universally recognizable figures.
• Recognize that characters can embody different archetypes at different points in the story.
• Use the Hero’s Journey flexibly – it’s a form, not a formula.
• Create a character’s arc that mirrors the external journey.
• Use “polarity” – contrasts and opposites – to create tension and interest.
• Understand the function of each stage of the journey and how it contributes to the overall story.
• Recognize that the Hero’s Journey can apply to internal, emotional journeys as well as external, physical ones.
• “The point of this journey is not merely to survive, but to be reborn, to be transformed.”

Vogler’s approach is particularly useful for writers looking to create stories with a strong, classical narrative structure and universal appeal.

18. “Stein on Writing” by Sol Stein

Sol Stein, a renowned editor, novelist, and publisher, offers a comprehensive guide to both fiction and non-fiction writing.

• “Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader—not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.”
• Use “particularity” – specific, concrete details – to bring your writing to life.
• Create “instant characterization” by showing a character’s most prominent trait through action.
• Use dialogue to create conflict and reveal character, not just to convey information.
• Employ “triage editing” – focus on the most important issues first when revising.
• Create suspense through unanswered story questions, not just in thrillers but in all genres.
• Use “markers” – memorable actions or phrases – to make characters distinctive.
• Avoid “flab” in your writing – cut anything that doesn’t advance the story or deepen characterization.
• “The job of the first sentence is to make the reader read the second sentence.”

Stein’s book is particularly valuable for its insights into the editing process and its practical advice for creating compelling prose.

19. “The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller” by John Truby

John Truby’s book offers a comprehensive approach to story structure and character development.

• Develop your premise line – the simplest combination of character and plot.
• Create your characters as an interconnected web, not as individuals.
• Identify your hero’s weakness, need, and desire.
• Develop a “story world” that’s organic to your hero’s journey.
• Use the “seven key steps of story structure”: Weakness and Need, Desire, Opponent, Plan, Battle, Self-Revelation, New Equilibrium.
• Create a moral argument in your story through the hero’s change.
• Use symbols and subplots to deepen your theme.
• Develop your story through “22 building blocks,” including character revelation, moral decision, and battle sequences.
• “Good storytelling doesn’t just tell audiences what happened in a life. It gives them the experience of that life.”

Truby’s approach is particularly useful for writers looking to create complex, thematically rich stories with well-developed characters.

20. “The Art of Fiction” by John Gardner

John Gardner, a noted novelist and writing instructor, offers a philosophical and practical guide to writing fiction.

• Strive to create a “vivid and continuous dream” for the reader.
• Use “psychic distance” – the distance between the reader and the character’s thoughts – deliberately and consistently.
• Understand and use the different effects of various points of view.
• Practice writing in different styles and voices to develop versatility.
• Use concrete details to create a sense of reality in your fiction.
• Avoid “faults of soul,” such as sentimentality or frigidity, in your writing.
• Develop your plot organically from your characters and situation.
• Use rhythm and sound in your prose, even in passages that aren’t overtly poetic.
• “Fiction does its work by creating a dream in the reader’s mind.”

Gardner’s book is particularly valuable for its insights into the aesthetics of fiction and its emphasis on the moral and philosophical dimensions of storytelling.

21. “Story Genius” by Lisa Cron

Lisa Cron’s book focuses on using cognitive storytelling strategies to create compelling, brain-friendly narratives.

• Start with your protagonist’s “third rail” – the powerful fear or misbelief that drives their actions.
• Develop a “what if?” question that your story will answer.
• Create a “story genius foundation” – a set of key elements including the protagonist’s goal, misbelief, and the story’s theme.
• Use “scene cards” to plan your story, focusing on how each scene changes your protagonist.
• Develop your protagonist’s “origin scene” – the moment in their past that created their misbelief.
• Create a “cause and effect trajectory” for your story events.
• Focus on your protagonist’s internal struggle as much as external conflicts.
• “Story is about how the things that happen affect someone in pursuit of a difficult goal, and how that person changes internally as a result.”
• Use backstory strategically to deepen the meaning of present events.

Cron’s approach is particularly useful for writers who want to create psychologically rich, emotionally engaging stories.

22. “Write. Publish. Repeat.” by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant

This book focuses on the business side of being an indie author, with an emphasis on productivity and marketing.

• Develop a consistent writing habit and aim for high productivity.
• Plan your books in series to build a loyal readership.
• Use “beats” (key plot points) to outline your stories quickly.
• Create a “standard operating procedure” for your writing process to increase efficiency.
• Focus on “reader-first” writing – consider your audience’s expectations and desires.
• Use email lists and other direct marketing techniques to build a fanbase.
• Iterate and improve your craft with each book you write.
• “The best marketing you can do for your book is to write another book.”
• Understand your genre’s conventions and reader expectations.

Platt and Truant’s book is particularly valuable for writers looking to build a career as independent authors, offering advice on both the craft and business of writing.

23. “Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction” by Jeff VanderMeer

Jeff VanderMeer’s book is a visually rich guide to writing speculative fiction, filled with illustrations, diagrams, and writing exercises.

• Use “disruption” techniques to break out of conventional thinking and generate unique ideas.
• Develop complex, layered worlds for your stories.
• Create “symbiotic” relationships between your characters, plot, and setting.
• Use visual thinking tools like mind maps and diagrams to develop your stories.
• Experiment with narrative structures and non-linear storytelling.
• Incorporate elements of the surreal or bizarre to add depth to your fiction.
• Use revision as a creative process, not just for correction.
• “The Imagination is a muscle: use it or lose it.”
• Draw inspiration from a wide range of sources, including science, nature, and art.

VanderMeer’s approach is particularly useful for writers of speculative fiction or those looking to inject more creativity and imagination into their work.

24. “The Kick-Ass Writer” by Chuck Wendig

Chuck Wendig’s book offers 1001 pieces of writing advice in his characteristically blunt and humorous style.

• “The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” Don’t aim for perfection in early drafts.
• Create characters that want things and have agency in your story.
• “Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they’re yours.” Don’t make excuses not to write.
• Use strong verbs and specific nouns to create vivid prose.
• Embrace the “suck” of first drafts – you can’t edit a blank page.
• Create conflict on every page to keep readers engaged.
• Develop a thick skin and learn to handle criticism constructively.
• “Write with velocity.” Set deadlines and stick to them.
• Read widely, both in and out of your genre.

Wendig’s book is particularly valuable for its no-nonsense approach to the writing life and its wide range of practical tips for improving one’s craft.

25. “The Forest for the Trees: An Editor’s Advice to Writers” by Betsy Lerner

Betsy Lerner, an editor and literary agent, offers insights into the publishing industry and the writer’s psyche.

• Understand your motivations for writing and how they affect your work.
• Recognize and combat your inner critic.
• Develop resilience in the face of rejection and criticism.
• Understand the different roles in publishing (agents, editors, publicists) and how to work with them.
• Be professional in your interactions with the publishing industry.
• Revise ruthlessly – “Kill your darlings.”
• Find a balance between solitude for writing and connection with other writers.
• “Writing is both mask and unveiling.”
• Persistence is key – many successful authors faced numerous rejections before their breakthrough.

Lerner’s book is particularly valuable for its insider’s view of the publishing industry and its insights into the psychological challenges of the writing life.

26 (bonus!) Bookcraft – From Good Ideas to Great Books by Derek Murphy

“ Bookcraft ” is a comprehensive guide that combines storytelling techniques with practical advice on crafting compelling fiction, wrapped in a “magical” theme and framework.

• Start with a strong premise that includes conflict and stakes.
• Use the “Hero’s Journey” and “Three-Act Structure” as flexible frameworks for your story.
• Create complex, relatable characters with clear goals and motivations.
• Develop a unique “story hook” that grabs readers’ attention from the start.
• Use scene and sequel structure to maintain pacing and tension.
• Craft dialogue that reveals character and advances the plot simultaneously.
• Employ “open loops” and foreshadowing to keep readers engaged.
• Use sensory details and “deep point of view” to immerse readers in your story world.
• Focus on creating emotional resonance with readers through character arcs and thematic elements.
• Revise strategically, focusing on big-picture issues before line editing.
• Understand genre conventions and reader expectations to position your book effectively.

Murphy’s approach is particularly useful for writers who want to combine creative storytelling with market-savvy techniques. He emphasizes the importance of understanding both the art and business of writing, making “Bookcraft” valuable for those aiming to write commercially successful fiction.

“Bookcraft” stands out for its blend of traditional storytelling wisdom with modern marketing strategies, making it a comprehensive resource for writers at various stages of their journey.

Listen to the audiobook you YouTube for free!

PS. I’m adding some links to these books down below, so you can grab them easily! If you have another good writing craft or book writing books to recommend let me know in the comments!

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I’m a philosophy dropout with a PhD in Literature. I covet a cabin full of cats, where I can write fantasy novels to pay for my cake addiction. Sometimes I live in castles.

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Sophia Clark graduated from the University in the City of New York with B.A. in Journalism, 2011. She is a creative writer from New York who loves to share her thoughts with readers, now she writes for BeforeWriting . In her free time, she enjoys writing fiction as well as reading it. Her big dream is to publish a novel one day.

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Top 10 Books on Creative Writing

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What is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is where we express our thoughts and ideas in a more imaginary way. Some of its types are poetry, story, songs, plays, personal essays, etc… The most popular creative writing is Story Writing. It will have character development , plot development, and dialogue in a more poetic and polished language. The story will be fiction or nonfiction. Fiction includes novels, short stories, and poetry. Non-fiction includes articles for magazines. There are Four forms of Creative Writing Course . They are Expository, Descriptive, Persuasive, and Narrative.

o start creative writing you must be a book lover. Always try to read more books so that you will be able to learn and understand the craft of it. The more you read, the better you can develop your knowledge. Reading helps you practice imagination by letting the words describe a certain image while the reader manipulates the picture in the mind.

By reading great writers’ Creative Writing books you can learn how creatively they have written and can get more ideas from them in such a way you can develop your creativity. You can decide the genre you are comfortable with. It might be science fiction, horror, or comic. Then go with the renowned author in that particular genre. Also, it is very simple and quiet if you start plotting about the person whom you already know. They may be your family members, neighbors, or friends. Just think of a person and start designing the character.

Now many books on creative writing are available, you can challenge yourself by completing the exercises given in the books.

Top 10 Creative Writing books and their ranks are listed below which will help you in developing your writing skills

1. Creating the Creative Writers- By Henry Harvin Education

Today, Creative Writing Courses are also offered by many Educational Institutions in India. Because of the recent pandemic, many prefer Online certificate courses. W hen choosing a creative writing course, firstly you must see the Syllabus and Modules of the course. Secondly, you must see how that institute gives certificates and internships.

The best Creative Writing course in India is given by HENRY HARVIN and its certification Ranks #1 in India .

Creating the Creative Writers, this book delves into the nitty gritty of creative writing like fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry to name a few aspects. The book is backed by solid work of 36,514 individuals spread over a time of 6 years. The book has excellent anecdotes that enthuse the reader and help to correlate with various topics. 

By spending daily 1 hour, you can begin the journey of creative writing within a period of 1 month. Creating the Creative Writers also is a guide for templates, strategies, and various techniques. 

This book from Henry Harvin Education has a 5-star rating on Amazon

Henry Harvin’s Creative Writing Course allows you to put your thoughts into writing with more polished words. This course helps to develop your vocabulary, get new ideas and will enhance your creative thoughts. This course has been designed to get you about four genres of creative writing as Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, and drama.

To know further details about the Creative Writing Course, click the below link

  Henry Harvin Creative Writing Course  

Other best courses offered by Henry Harvin are

•  Content Writing Course
• Technical Writing Course
• Medical Writing Course
• Art of Negotiation Course

2. On Poetry

“On Poetry” book ranks tenth book among Top 10 creative Writing books. The author was a British civil engineer in the profession and wrote many novels and poems. This book is a good piece for writers who are interested in poetry. In this book, Davidson makes you feel intimate and personal through his poems

3. Feel Free

“Feel Free” ranks nineth book among the top 10 creative writing books. It offers a survey of important recent events in culture and politics, as well as Smith’s own life. Since she burst spectacularly into view with her debut novel almost two decades ago, Zadie Smith has established herself not just as one of the world’s preeminent fiction writers, but also a brilliant and singular essayist. She contributes regularly to The New Yorker and the New York Review of Books on a range of subjects, and each piece of hers is a literary event in its own right.

4. Bird by Bird

An American novelist who has written “Bird by Bird” ranks eighth book among the top 10 creative writing books. In this book, Anne tells about her brother’s school project which is about birds. His teacher gave him three months to write this project. He was just stuck with the ideas by not opening the books and nearly shed tears. Her father who is also a writer sat along with him and said “Bird by Bird” buddy. From there she started her book writing.

5. Linguistics: Why it matters

The seventh book among the top 10 creative writing books is “Linguistics: Why It Matters”. Language is the medium in which you can compose your thoughts, explain your thinking, construct your arguments, and create works of literature. Pullum has explained the basic principles of linguistics in it. It tells about what languages are, how you comprehend language, how AI is being used for languages, and other topics. An approachable, fascinating resource for those interested in the mechanics of words. It has an Index at the back of the book.

6 A Technique for Producing Ideas

Among the top 10 creative writing books, rank six goes to “A Technique for Producing Ideas”.A thought happens when you foster another mix of old components. The ability to bring old components into new blends relies generally upon your capacity to see connections. All thoughts follow a five-venture cycle of gathering material, seriously working over the material in your mind, pulling back from the issue, permitting the plan to return to you normally, and testing your thoughts in reality and changing is dependent on the input.

7. Worstward Ho

 Here comes the fifth book in the top 10 creative writing books is “Worstward Ho”. This is a prose piece implying that humanity exists turned Worstward. This is one of the more poetic of the prose works in terms of images, using his familiar re-emerging of images slightly modified to emphasize his points. 

8. On Becoming a Novelist

This book ranks the fourth book among the top 10 creative writing books. This book was published in the year 2000. Gardner explains the life of a novelist more elegantly and humorously. This book identifies the beginning novelist’s worries, that is, to give reassurance, helpful guidance, and encouragement.

9. The War of Art

“The War of Art “stands the third rank among the top 10 creative writing books. The author is well known for historical fiction, non-fiction, and screenplays. In this book, Pressfield believes that “resistance” is the greatest enemy, and he offers many unique and helpful ways to overcome it. This book is not only for the writers but grasped by actors, dancers, filmmakers, painters, and many more.

10. Find Your Voice

The second book among the top 10 creative writing books is “Find Your Voice”  It is very hard to share your real voice in Creative Writing. In this book, the author Angie Thomas shares his experience to develop true-to-you writing. Best books on creative writing include step-by-step craft tips, writing prompts, and exercises alongside other tips and suggestions to help the writers.

11. Becoming a Writer

“Becoming a Writer” ranks First book among the top 10 creative writing books. This book isn’t just for new writers, likewise experienced writers can also go through it. In this book, Brande tries to explain the writer’s dimensions of their personality. She believes based on the writer’s conscious and subconscious minds, their creativity and imagination will come out. Brande used to say “if you can discover what you truly believe about most of the major matters of life, you will be able to write a story which is honest and original and unique.”

One of the me thods in creative writing is Snowflake method.It is creating a summary like a sentence and from that, you have to start creating the characters of your story. From that, you have to expand your storyline. Few writers will just write whatever comes to their minds without any outlines or notes. This type of writing is called Freewriting. By keeping on writing like this, at one point your creativity in writing will be tremendous. 

This pandemic has changed a lot in our lives. For nearly more than a year all of us are inside the home. School went online, the office goes to WFH and everything totally shut down outside. But many of us utilized this challenged life by spending time with our family members and reading lots of e-books. You can pick any books available digitally and enhance your creativity by sharing your own experience in words. Hope this blog will guide you to find the best creative writing books online.

Also Check Henry Harvin Review:

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FAQ’S

Ans. Creative Writing is one type of writing which doesn’t have rules but imagination plays a major part. Whereas Content Writing will have certain rules and it is for a particular purpose and goal.

Ans. Just start with the scratch and write whatever comes to your mind. You can also pick one of the creative writing books and try doing the exercises given in the book

Ans. It is all about imagination and the vocabulary you use in writing. If you want to improve your vocabulary, just take a Creative Writing Course in a reputed institute like Henry Harvin.

Ans. Yes. Nowadays Online certification courses are provided by many educational institutions like Henry Harvin. You can just join any course in the institution and become aware of the writing styles, tones, and how to handle the tools for writing and then start your career as a Freelance Writer.

Ans. Most technical people will go with the technical writing course given by Henry Harvin from which you will be able to know DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) writing.

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12 Best Creativity Books for Your Library

With the best creativity books in hand, you can inspire your creativity and learn to live the creative lifestyle to the fullest.

Are you a creative person? Many aspiring writers and artists feel they don’t have what it takes to express themselves. I felt the same way for years. The funny thing is that all creatives have felt this at some point during their careers. It’s a common theme found in many of the best books about creativity. Other themes include procrastination, fear of failure, and even a fear of success!

I’ve read dozens of creativity books over the years. This guide profiles the best creativity books for the modern writers and artists, so you can start writing, creating and publishing your best works. You may also be interested in learning about the different types of creativity .

• 1. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon
• 2. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
• 3. Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull
• 4. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
• 5. The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp
• 6. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

7. Flow: The Psychology Of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

• 8. It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be by Paul Arden
• 9. Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step by Edward De Bono
• 10. Show Your Work! 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered by Austin Kleon

11. The Power of Creativity By Bryan Collins

• 12. The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

A Final Word On The Best Creativity Books

What are the best creativity books for writers, what are the best creative thinking books, further reading, best books for inspiring creativity, 1.  steal like an artist: 10 things nobody told you about being creative  by austin kleon.

Published in 2012 as part of a three-part series, in  Steal Like an Artist , Austin Kleon explores the idea that no artistic work is an original idea. Creative people understand that art is everywhere, and the key to creating it is taking ideas from multiple sources, combining them, and adding your own voice. This book touches on the impact of the digital age on creativity. 

Steal Like an Artist is a quick read with fun visual illustrations for developing a creative mindset . Kleon is an illustrator, after all! You can read this book in one sitting too.

“Draw the art you want to see, start the business you want to run, play the music you want to hear, write the books you want to read, build the products you want to use – do the work you want to see done.” Austin Kleon

2.  The War of Art  by Steven Pressfield

Published in 2002, in  The War of Art , Pressfield explores how aspiring and even professional artists, creatives, and writers face demons like procrastination and self-doubt. Pressfield recounts his own creative struggles and explores how creatives can find their muse more easily. If you find it hard to get your creative ideas out and onto paper or canvas, this book will teach you how to express yourself.

“Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one rule of thumb: the more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.” Steven Pressfield

3.  Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull

Published in 2014, Creativity, Inc . is by Ed Catmull, co-founder of the Pixar Animation Studio. This creative genius shows what it takes to transform a team of creative talents into a working culture that inspires greatness. This book explores creative thinking and how to capitalize on it in a group and build a successful business.

It’s a good read because it combines creativity with entrepreneurship and business. Catmull recounts how his team built Pixar and created many of its hit films. It’s also a revealing insight into how Pixar and its creative teams write and work together.

“You are not your idea, and if you identify too closely with your ideas, you will take offense when they are challenged.” Ed Catmull

4.  The Artist’s Way  by Julia Cameron

Published in 1992, novelist and playwright Julia Cameron explores what makes an artist in  The Artist’s Way . It outlines what living the artist’s life looks like and is a must-read for the creative person.

Cameron’s book is perhaps most famous for its concept of the morning pages. She encourages a daily writing practice whereby creatives free write about whatever is on their mind first thing. Cameron also proposes the concept of artist dates: taking a day or an afternoon to visit a museum, gallery or see a show by someone you admire. 

“Leap, and the net will appear.” Julia Cameron

5.  The Creative Habit  by Twyla Tharp

Published in 2003, The Creative Habit by noted American choreographer Twyla Tharp is part autobiographical and part self-help. Tharp writes about how she finds inspiration for her hit shows and also the habits and routines she and other creatives rely on. 

She believes people aren’t born “creatives.” Instead, you can develop creativity with the right education and habits. If you feel that you just “aren’t creative,” this book is a good primer. It may challenge your thinking and show you that there is potential inside everyone.

“I read for growth, firmly believing that what you are today and what you will be in five years depends on two things: the people you meet and the books you read.” Twyla Tharp

6.  Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

For most people, fear is a big thing that holds them back from being creative.  Big Magic  teaches readers how to tackle their fears and rise above them. Author Elizabeth Gilbert believes this is where creativity’s “big magic” takes place. 

Published in 2015, this book is so effective at teaching you how to become creative that it instantly jumped to the top spot on the New York Times bestseller list.

“The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.” Elizabeth Gilbert

Published in 1990, Flow explores the psychological idea of flow, a state of optimal experience that inspires the best creative potential in an individual. Csikszentmihalyi believes this state is something an individual can control.

This book will teach you what flow is and how you can reach and sustain that state. This will help you build your own creative process more effectively by keeping you in the right psychological state to get creative work done. I used this book to develop triggers that help me get into a state of creative flow much faster and more easily. Learn how to  get into flow state .

“Control of consciousness determines the quality of life.” Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

8. It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be  by Paul Arden

Grab this book It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be if you believe creativity is a set state and something you are born with. Paul Arden believes everyone has the potential to be more creative and better at their work.

He explores problem-solving strategies in this book that can help you achieve greater things. This book is an easy read because it is funny and short. You will finish it inspired to be better, inspiring more creativity.

“If you can’t solve a problem, it’s because you’re playing by the rules” Paul Arden

9.  Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step by Edward De Bono

Most people learn how to solve problems by facing them head-on. This is vertical thinking, according to De Bono. He uses   Lateral Thinking   to teach a more creative approach to problem-solving First published in 1967, it’s considered one of DeBono’s best works and a creativity classic. 

This book explores the idea of lateral thinking instead of vertical thinking and takes the reader step-by-step through learning to think outside the box.

“A problem is simply the difference between what one has and what one wants.” Edward De Bono

10.  Show Your Work! 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered by Austin Kleon

Being creative is great, but if you want to earn money from your creative works, you need people to find you. Show Your Work! gives 10 practical ways to get your creative work seen by others. Published in 2014, this book explores everything from the balance between sharing and oversharing to getting over the fear of putting yourself out there.

Show Your Work! is particularly valuable today because it discusses the digital age and the Internet and how you can find an audience for your work.

“Make stuff you love and talk about stuff you love and you’ll attract people who love that kind of stuff. It’s that simple.” Austin Kleon

Struggling to come up with your next great idea? Or do you find it impossible to get your creative juices flowing? Or perhaps you don’t think your creative talent will ever be strong enough to succeed? Desperate to make your next idea your big break?

Published in 2015, award-winning author, copywriter, and blogger Bryan Collins has had a lifelong fascination with creativity and the genesis of amazing ideas. After learning how to unleash his creative dreams, Collins is now ready to share his hidden secrets with you with this book The Power of Creativity .

“You are more creative than you can imagine.” Bryan Collins

12.  The Creative Act: A Way of Being  by Rick Rubin

The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin differs from most other music producers who have a trend-based sound. He creates a supportive environment where artists can express their true selves and unleash their full potential and has worked with everyone from U2 to Johnny Cash to the Red Hot Chill Peppers.

Published in 2023, in this book, Rubin recounts how being an artist is not solely about output but rather a deep connection with the world. He believes creativity is a vital aspect of life that can be nurtured and expanded by all. It’s an enlightening guide that showcases the journey of an artist and musician.

“If you have an idea you’re excited about and you don’t bring it to life, it’s not uncommon for the idea to find its voice through another maker. This isn’t because the other artist stole your idea, but because the idea’s time has come.” Rick Rubin

The best creativity books help you get past a hurdle like procrastination and are inspiring. Keep these choices in mind as you build a library of inspirational books. Each one will bring something to the table to help you become just a little more creative.

If you are in a creative rut, having a library on hand will help you break past that rut and start creating again. However, to do so, you must have the books on hand, so start building that creativity library today. If you want more information on this topic, check out our list of essays about creativity .

FAQs on the Best Creativity Books

The best creativity books for writers are those that help them get past writer’s block and their own fears about writing to continue creating beautiful works. Some that should be on your shelf include: 1. The Artist’s Way 2. The Creative Habit 3. Steal Like an Artist

The best books to learn more about creative thinking include: 1. Lateral Thinking 2. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience 3. Creativity, Inc.

Want more? Check out our book recommendations .

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The 10 Best Books on Creativity to Unleash Your Inner Genius

Creativity is a powerful force, shaping our world through innovation, problem-solving, and personal expression. It has led to breakthroughs in fields as diverse as science, technology, art, and business. But how can we tap into this wellspring of imagination and originality within ourselves? One effective method is through reading, which can stimulate our creative minds and offer fresh perspectives. This post aims to guide you on a journey of creative discovery by recommending some of the best books on creativity.

These books provide not only inspiration but also practical tips and strategies to unlock your creative potential. Whether you’re an artist seeking new sources of inspiration, a professional looking for innovative solutions, or someone who simply wants to enrich their daily life with more creative thinking, these books offer valuable insights to help you on your creative journey.

The Power of Creativity

Creativity stands as a pillar among the fundamental skills that will remain resilient in the face of automation. It’s a common misconception to view creativity as an inherent personality trait, reserved only for the chosen few. On the contrary, creativity is a skill and a habit that can be cultivated by anyone, given the right mindset and tools.

Every day, we employ creativity in various forms, often without realizing it. From devising unique ways to tackle a mundane task to brainstorming solutions for complex problems, creativity is a constant companion in our lives.

The role of creativity extends far beyond personal expression and problem-solving. It serves as the lifeblood of innovation, powering advancements in diverse fields. Whether it’s the scientific breakthroughs that redefine our understanding of the universe, technological innovations that reshape our lifestyles, artistic expressions that challenge conventional perspectives, or entrepreneurial ventures that disrupt market norms, creativity is the driving force behind these revolutions.

The Power of Creativity: Real-World Breakthroughs

Creativity is not just about producing art or writing a novel. It’s a fundamental skill that plays a crucial role in problem-solving, innovation, and personal expression. To truly appreciate the transformative power of creativity, let’s explore some real-world examples where creative thinking has led to significant breakthroughs.

Business Innovation Through Knowledge Networks  In the realm of business, creativity often takes the form of innovative organizational strategies. One such strategy is the concept of organizing knowledge in networks. This approach allows for repeated exposure to all your knowledge assets and associative recall with them, leading to the ability to make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas. This has been instrumental in sparking innovative ideas and solutions in various industries.

Technological Advances with AI  The field of technology has also seen its fair share of creative breakthroughs. A notable example is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to automate repetitive tasks, generate fresh ideas, and produce content on par with human-made creations. I

Artistic Inspiration from Unexpected Places  In the world of art, creativity often emerges when we make links across domains that have nothing to do with each other. This cross-pollination of ideas has led to breakthroughs in art, where inspiration often comes from unexpected places.

Personal Development Through Creative Problem-Solving  Finally, creativity plays a significant role in personal development. Understanding personal points of leverage and potential points of leverage for preventing problems can be a creative way to turn the odds in your favor in various areas of life and business.

In conclusion, creativity is a powerful force that can lead to breakthroughs in various fields. By fostering our creative thinking, we can come up with innovative solutions, make unexpected connections, and even transform our personal lives.

Why Read Books on Creativity

Reading books about creativity might initially seem paradoxical. After all, isn’t creativity about originality and spontaneity rather than learning from others? However, this perspective overlooks the value of diverse inputs in sparking creativity. By reading, you expose yourself to a myriad of ideas, perspectives, and experiences that can ignite your own creative insights.

The books recommended in this list are particularly valuable because they not only inspire but also offer practical guidance. They share strategies, techniques, and insights from successful creatives that you can apply in your own creative endeavors. Remember, the key is not just to read these books, but to actively integrate their ideas into your own creative process.

Best Books on Creativity for Bringing Ideas to Life

Making Ideas Happen

Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky is a book that’s been a game-changer for me. It’s a must-read for all you creatives out there who have a head full of ideas but struggle to bring them to life. The real challenge often isn’t a shortage of ideas, but rather a lack of effective organizational habits and the ability to execute. Belsky offers a solution to this with the Action Method.

The Action Method is built on the idea that every task, whether it’s planning a vacation or launching a product, can be seen as a project. Each project is made up of three main components: Action Steps, References, and Backburner Items. Action Steps are specific, concrete tasks that push the project forward. References are any materials or discussions related to the project that you might need to refer back to, and Backburner Items are tasks or ideas that aren’t immediately actionable but could be in the future.

The book drives home the point that your organizational habits and your ability to execute are just as important, if not more so, than your ideas. This makes “Making Ideas Happen” a crucial read for anyone looking to level up their creative process and effectively turn their ideas into reality. It’s a testament to the power of the Action Method and the importance of execution in the creative process.

Little Bets

Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoverie by Peter Sims is a book that really resonates with me. It introduces a fresh way to approach creative thinking and problem-solving, centered around the concept of ‘little bets’. These are small, manageable experiments that let you test an idea before you go all in.

This isn’t just theory, it’s a strategy used by successful creators and innovators, from comedian Chris Rock to the creative wizards at Pixar. Here’s the kicker, instead of betting the farm on a single, unproven idea, ‘little bets’ let you learn, iterate, and refine your idea based on real-world feedback. This way, you’re not just minimizing the risk of failure, but you’re also shifting your focus from what you’ve lost to what you’ve learned.

By embracing this approach, you’re fostering a mindset of experimentation and discovery, and that’s where the real breakthroughs happen. And here’s a little secret: my entire career, including the Unmistakable Creative podcast, started as a series of these ‘little bets’. It’s a testament to the power of starting small, learning as you go, and being open to the journey. This philosophy has been a guiding light in my own creative process.

Deep Wor by Cal Newport is a book that has had a profound impact on my approach to creativity. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to take their creativity to the next level. The book argues that great creative work isn’t the result of sporadic bursts of inspiration, but rather the outcome of dedicated time, intense focus, and disciplined effort, a concept Newport calls ‘deep work’.

This book challenges the modern-day tendency towards multitasking and constant connectivity, arguing that they are detrimental to producing high-quality creative output. Newport presents compelling arguments on how deep work leads to the creation of substantial value, and how stepping back from social media can reveal the true worth of your content. He further discusses the importance of attention as a conduit to learning and the role of flow states in achieving deep work.

Newport also addresses the issue of information overload, explaining that it can trap us in a state of constant crisis, making us less productive and hindering our cognitive abilities. “Deep Work” is an invaluable guide for anyone seeking to unlock their creative potential by mastering the skill of deep work. It’s a testament to the power of focused attention and the importance of disconnecting in the creative process.

Best Books on Creativity for Organizing Your Ideas

The root cause of unproductive knwledge work is  is the way that we organize and manage information. This becomes a major bottleneck to doing creative work. The three books below are the antidote to the problems of information overload and disorganization.

Building a Second Brain

Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte is a book that has revolutionized the way I manage and organize information. It introduces the Second Brain Methodology, a system designed to streamline your digital life, reduce cognitive load, and enhance creative output.

The methodology revolves around the concept of PARA, an acronym for Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives. This structure is applied across all your digital tools, including note-taking apps, inboxes, and file storage solutions. This systematic approach to organizing information facilitates the creation of knowledge assets, which can be effectively utilized to overcome creative blocks.

What sets this book apart is its emphasis on designing a digital environment that fosters the behavior you desire. Forte underscores that the ultimate purpose of building a second brain is not mere information storage, but fostering a personal network of knowledge that can aid in creative thinking and problem-solving. “Building a Second Brain” is an essential read for anyone seeking to unlock their creative potential by mastering the skill of effective information management.

The Bullet Journal Method

The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll is a book I’ve often recommended, and everyone who has implemented its concepts has marveled, “I don’t know how I ever lived without this.” This method simplifies the process of organizing our lives, providing a structured yet flexible system for managing tasks, events, and notes.

The methodology involves three key elements: the daily log, the future log, and collections. The daily log, referred to as the workhorse of the journal, is where you capture tasks with bullets, notes with dashes, and events with circles. The future log is a place for anticipating and planning for upcoming tasks or events. Collections are thematic groupings of related information.

The beauty of the bullet journal method lies in its constraints. Unlike a digital to-do list app, you’re limited to the physical bounds of a page, which naturally forces you to prioritize. By taking just 15 minutes a day to observe, record, and review what’s happening in your life, you create order out of chaos. This method not only fosters productivity but also sparks creativity, proving that constraints can indeed breed innovation.

The Extended Mind

The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul is a fascinating exploration of the science behind the concept of externalizing, a key principle in “Building a Second Brain”. The book delves into the benefits of externalizing knowledge and how it can enhance our cognitive abilities.

One of the key benefits of externalizing knowledge, as Paul points out, is that it provides cues that trigger memories and insights. By externalizing our knowledge, we create tangible reminders of our ideas and thoughts, which stimulate our memory and help us recall and build upon these ideas, leading to deeper insights and more innovative thinking.

Furthermore, externalizing knowledge makes it accessible. Instead of having our ideas and information locked away in our minds, externalization brings them into the open where they can be easily accessed and used. This can significantly improve efficiency and productivity, particularly in professional settings.

Another advantage of externalizing knowledge is that it prevents us from wasting cognitive capacity. Our brains have a limited amount of cognitive resources, and by externalizing knowledge, we free up these resources for other tasks. This can enhance our ability to focus and think creatively, further boosting our productivity and problem-solving capabilities.

Finally, externalizing knowledge allows us to take it in new directions. Once our ideas and information are out in the open, we can explore them from different angles, combine them in novel ways, and generate innovative solutions. This can be particularly useful in creative pursuits, where the ability to see things from different perspectives and make unique connections is crucial.

In conclusion, “The Extended Mind” provides a strong scientific foundation for the practices outlined in “Building a Second Brain”. By understanding and applying the principles in these books, we can enhance our creativity, improve our productivity, and unlock our full potential.

Best Books on Creativity for Inspiration and Motivation

Still Writing: Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life

Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life by Dani Shapiro is a compelling exploration of the creative journey. Part memoir, part instructional guide, it’s a book that every creative person should have on their shelf.

Shapiro beautifully articulates the essence of the creative life: “The writing life requires courage, patience, persistence, empathy, openness, and the ability to deal with rejection. It requires the willingness to be alone with oneself. To be gentle with oneself. To look at the world without blinders on. To observe and withstand what one sees.”

This book is a testament to the resilience and dedication required in any creative field. It’s the kind of book that you can pick up, read a passage from, and find inspiration. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, “Still Writing” offers valuable insights into the creative process and the journey of bringing your ideas to life.

Perennial Seller

Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday is a must-read for anyone seeking to create work that stands the test of time. Holiday, a prolific author with multiple New York Times Best-Sellers to his name, delves into the concept of a ‘perennial seller’ – a work that, regardless of its initial reception, grows stronger over time and continues to resonate with audiences long after its creation.

Holiday emphasizes that creating a perennial seller is not about chasing immediate gratification or measuring success by fleeting metrics. Instead, it’s about focusing on the quality and substance of the work. He argues that while promotion can help a work be heard, it’s the creative process and the value the work brings that truly make it great.

This book encourages creators to ask critical questions about their work, such as ‘What does this teach?’, ‘What does this solve?’, ‘How am I entertaining?’, ‘What am I giving?’, ‘What are we offering?’, and ‘What are we sharing?’. These questions help to ensure the work adds value to the world, aligns with the creator’s purpose, and is capable of standing the test of time.

“Perennial Seller” is more than just a book on creativity. It provides practical guidance on creating work that is not only meaningful but also enduring. It’s a testament to Holiday’s understanding of the creative process and his commitment to creating work that continues to inspire and resonate, making it a valuable addition to any creator’s library.

The Icarus Deception

The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin is a book that has had a profound impact on me. It was the catalyst that inspired me to stop waiting for a publisher’s approval and take the leap to self-publish “The Art of Being Unmistakable,” which went on to become a Wall-Street Journal Best-Seller. This book challenged my conventional thinking and ignited a spark within me to embrace my creativity and chart my own path.

Godin’s book is filled with thought-provoking insights. He writes, “Our cultural instinct is to wait to get picked.” This line resonates deeply, highlighting the societal pressure to conform and wait for external validation. But Godin urges us to break free from this mindset and take control of our creative journey.

He further emphasizes the importance of seeing the world through the eyes of an artist, stating, “If you’re not seeing the world through the eyes of an artist, you’ll never truly embrace the revolution that’s going on around you.” This perspective shift is crucial for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in their field.

Godin also warns against the dangers of prioritizing instant feedback over long-term vision: “If you’ve sacrificed your long-term compass at the altar of instant feedback, you might enjoy some short-term achievement, but you’ve given up your grit.” This insight underscores the importance of staying true to your vision, even when immediate results are not forthcoming.

Finally, Godin challenges us to dare more and aim higher: “We think we’re being safe and smart and conservative and avoiding flying too close to the sun. But all the generator is doing is pushing us closer and closer to the waves, so that we’re flying too low, daring too little, and blowing our best chance ever to matter.” This powerful metaphor serves as a call to action for all creators to push their boundaries and strive for greatness.

The Icarus Deceptio is more than just a book; it’s a manifesto for the creative revolution. It’s a call to reject the status quo, embrace our unique talents, and create work that truly matters. It’s a book that has not only inspired you, Srinivas, but countless others to take control of their creative journey and make their mark on the world.

Your Brain on Art

Your Brain on Art is a book that has significantly shifted my perspective on creativity and its value. Many people, including myself at times, have fallen into the trap of believing that art is only worthwhile if it reaches millions or can be monetized. However, this book, with its focus on the neuroscience of creativity, has shown me that the act of creating and expressing creativity has profound physical and mental health benefits. Seeing the tangible, scientific evidence of how our brains light up during the creative process has underscored for me that the value of art goes far beyond its commercial success or widespread recognition. It’s about personal growth, self-expression, and the pure joy of creation.

The best books on creativity don’t just inspire you, they enable you to convert knowlegdge into action. I chose these books for this article because each one has had a tangible and concrete impact on my career. I can trace all of my most successful creative endeavors to the concepts in these books and the lessons I’ve learned from the people who wrote them.

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How to write your book: evaluating 4 key strategies.

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By Vikrant Shaurya, CEO of Authors On Mission , helping entrepreneurs and professionals write, publish and market their books.

Writing a book is a major undertaking that requires substantial time, effort and dedication. With over a million books published each year , the competition is fierce. Yet every bestselling author started somewhere. If you have an idea for a book, there are multiple approaches you can take to turn that concept into a finished manuscript. The path that works best depends on your available time, budget and writing capabilities.

1. The Traditional Solo Effort

The traditional approach is to start at the beginning and work chapter by chapter until you reach the end. This linear method allows you to follow your outline closely and maintain proper pacing and logical structure. Since you are not collaborating with others, you have complete creative control over the book and can follow your vision without outside influence or interference.

However, staring down an entire book manuscript can sometimes feel overwhelming and intimidating as a solo effort. Without moral support or collaboration, writers may struggle with procrastination, burnout or simply feeling stuck. There's also an increased likelihood of missing weak points without a wider perspective.

Yet, with ample time, patience and persistence, this traditional approach can work well for some. If you thrive working independently and have strong self-discipline, the traditional solo route may suit you well. But be realistic about your need for accountability and outside input before committing to writing a book entirely on your own.

2. Writing Fast, Editing Slowly

Rather than meticulously editing each sentence during the initial draft, many authors recommend writing quickly to get the core ideas down on paper. Ignore typos, plot holes, awkward phrasing and other issues during this rough draft stage. Your priority should be recording your ideas without constant editing slowing you down.

Once the rough draft is complete, set it aside for a period of time, ideally 4–6 weeks. Let the manuscript rest before returning to review it with fresh eyes. Then, systematically revise the book to strengthen the writing, improve pacing, fix inconsistencies and refine the narrative.

This approach of writing rapidly to complete the first draft, followed by slow and methodical editing, allows you to make significant progress without getting stalled on sentence-level details. It also gives you time away from the manuscript between drafting and editing so you can look at it with renewed objectivity.

You may consider bringing in a developmental editor or trusted outside readers to provide feedback during editing to help shape and improve the book. With some money to invest, you can get professional assistance during the editing phase to bring the book to the next level.

3. Dictating Your First Draft

For some authors, speaking their ideas aloud comes easier than sitting down to type out a manuscript. If you find yourself blocked when facing a blank page, consider dictating your first draft instead.

Verbally describing the overall book concept, characters and plot events allows you to capture the ideas quickly without over-analyzing or editing prematurely. Vocalizing the draft also lends itself to a more natural, conversational tone compared to the formal structure of typed manuscript prose. The tone can be refined later during editing, but dictating may capture more authentic phrasing upfront.

4. Hiring A Ghostwriter

Ghostwriting involves paying an experienced writer to author the book manuscript for you according to your vision and direction. As the client, you provide background, overall concept, target audience, outline and any necessary research to the ghostwriter. The ghostwriter will conduct interviews to fully understand your perspective and goals for the book. Then, they handle structuring the content and writing the draft from start to finish (The level of involvement by the client can vary based on your preferences and availability.).

Ghostwriting makes sense when you have a compelling book concept but lack the writing skills, experience or time needed to produce the book entirely yourself. It also helps if you aren't sure how to structure a lengthy manuscript. An experienced ghostwriter can translate your vision into a polished book draft.

In conclusion, writing a full book takes substantial time and effort. There is no universally superior approach; the best method depends on your specific resources and capabilities. Ultimately, the most important factor is to start writing and persist through the completion of the manuscript.

If you have ample free time and work well independently, a solo effort may suit you. If you can invest some money, seek professional editing or ghostwriting assistance. Or blend these strategies by writing some solo, then bringing in help to strengthen the weaker sections.

By understanding the various pathways to authoring a book, you can tailor the process to your strengths. Align the approach with the time and funding you have available. Most importantly, commit to regular writing time over weeks and months. Consistent effort will yield a finished manuscript and a published book to be proud of.

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