“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.” – Anaïs Nin
“You must write every single day of your life… You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads… may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.” – Ray Bradbury
From a topic of discussion “What books will make you a better writer?” started by Redditor “valarmorghulis121”, you’ll find a dozen of titles which you will find extremely useful in getting those words out and get the creative flow moving. Hope this will aid in your journey, write well and write often!
Note: The 12 titles listed below are NOT free. Take this list as a point of reference on available resources on how you can write better.
1. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction
by William Zinsser
On Writing Well has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity and the warmth of its style. It is a book for everybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to get through the day, as almost everybody does in the age of e-mail and the Internet.
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 priciples as well as the insights of a distinguished writer and teacher. With more than a million copies sold, this volume has stood the test of time and remains a valuable resource for writers and would-be writers.
2. The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing
by Alice LaPlante
The Making of a Story is a fresh and inspiring guide to the basics of creative writing-both fiction and creative nonfiction. Its hands-on, completely accessible approach walks writers through each stage of the creative process, from the initial triggering idea to the revision of the final manuscript. It is unique in combing the three main aspects of creative writing instruction: process (finding inspiration, getting ideas on the page), craft (specific techniques like characterization), and anthology (learning by reading masters of the form).
Succinct, clear definitions of basic terms of fiction are accompanied by examples, including excerpts from masterpieces of short fiction and essays as well as contemporary novels. A special highlight is Alice LaPlante’s systematic debunking of many of the so-called rules of creative writing. This book is perfect for writers working alone as well as for creative writing classes, both introductory and advanced.
3. Writing 21st Century Fiction: High Impact Techniques for Exceptional Storytelling
by Donald Maass
Whether you’re a commercial storyteller or a literary novelist, whether your goal is to write a best-selling novel or captivate readers with a satisfying, beautifully written story, the key to success is the same: high-impact fiction. Writing 21st Century Fiction will help you write a novel for today’s readers and market, filled with rich characters, compelling plots, and resonant themes.
- Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
- Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury
- The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr.
- Story: Style, Structure, Substance, and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
- On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
- The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
- Screenwriting 101 by Film Crit Hulk!
- What If?: Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers by Anne Bernays & Pamela Painter
- The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steven Pinker
- Robert A. Heinlein books
Other Resources
on how to write better
Free Ebooks & Resources
on writing
