Day: November 4, 2011

Books on the Craft

Books on the Craft

At some point in every writer’s life there comes a time when you want desperately to know more about the craft.

In fact, I think that most writers are always perfecting their craft and I know many that take seminars on the craft of writing just to hone their skills.

There does come a time when it gets easier. But it never really gets easy.

Here are some books that I’ve found useful and how I’d categorize them:

On Writing in General:

On Writing by Stephen King
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

On Editing

Self-editing For Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King

Stretching Your Abilities

The 3 A.M. Epiphany: Uncommon Writing Exercises that Transform Your Fiction by Brian Kiteley

Plot and Structure

Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder
Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies by Blake Snyder
Save the Cat! Strikes Back by Blake Snyder

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

The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler

All these books are targeted toward screenwriting but they’re equally applicable to writing in general.

Working to Mastery

The Career Novelist: A Literary Agent Offers Strategies for Success by Donald Maass

The Breakout Novelist: Craft and Strategies for Career Fiction Writers by Donald Maass

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

The Fire in Fiction: Passion, Purpose and Techniques to Make Your Novel Great by Donald Maass

FYI, Don Maass is my agent.