Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

Please post great reference and books about writing here.

I searched throughout the reference and nonfiction subject for a thread consisting of books which provide insight and advice to authors, but it proved to be futile. I decided to make a topic for it.

Stephen King's "On Writing : A Memoir of the Craft"
This book is easily one of my favorite of King's books. It provides advice for beginner authors, insight to King's process and the stories behind his books.

William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White's "Elements of Style 4e" is short, concise, and a necessary read for all aspiring writers. It is frequently used in college; in 2011, it made the Time's top 100 best and influential books.

"Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction: How to Create Out-of-this-world Novels and Short Stories" is a book by various authors and editors. It has some useful bits of advice, and talks of different types of stories. In the back of the book, it provides a glossary full of terms about fantasy, magic, and medieval terms.

Scene and Structure
Electronic Publishing: The Definitive Guide

JC,
You had me at glossary. Both of these books are of interest to me since I write sci-fi and the occasional fantasy.
Thanks for posting these.
P.I.

"77 Reasons Why Your Book was Rejected" by Mike Nappa

Mike Nappa is a literary agent, editor, and the founder of Nappaland Literary Agency. This book is full of advice from someone behind the rejection letters. I felt fortunate that he decided to publish this, as I anticipate it will be of great benefit to me as I pursue my career. In the back of the book is an appendix containing a list of recommended books and websites for writers.

Writing Wild by Tina Welling (book review). Are you a writer who loves to read books on the craft of writing? Here's one you probably don't have on your shelf. Take a peek at what Tina Welling has to say about writing. A very creative approach.

https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/2016...



Writing Wild: Forming a Creative Partnership with Nature

Check out K.M Weiland's "Structuring Your Novel" and "Outlining Your Novel Workbook". They're great help!

Scene and Structure is the one I would recommend above all others to anyone who has already read Strunk & White (which IMO, is essential knowledge) For SF/Fantasy writers, The Writer's Digest Guide to Science Fiction & Fantasy, mainly by Orson Scott Card, and The Craft of Writing Science Fiction That Sells, by Ben Bova. I'd also recommend Rayne Hall's Writing Fight Scenes , and William Noble's Conflict, Action and Suspense.

For me, the one book that got my writing on track is Libbie Hawkers, "Take Off Your Pants"

Recently I read The Writer's Guide to Character Traits: Includes Profiles of Human Behaviors and Personality Types, written by a psychologist, Linda Edelstein.

The book contains a useful categorization of character types, such as the Adventurer, the Conformist, the Dependent, the Eccentric, the Loner, the Man's Man, the Ultra-Feminine, and many more.

Here's my GR review of this writer's guide.

ARK

1. Stein on writing
2. How to grow a novel

I couldn't have finished The Count of the Sahara without "The 90 Day Novel" by Alan Watt. Great stuff and walked me through the process. For the record, the first draft took 87 days, guess I"m just an over achiever.....:-)

Take a look at Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within

I found this one great for helping shoe horn mine into a Kindle format:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Building-Your...

Building Your Book for Kindle

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Recently finished a couple more. Character and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card was a valuable read. It covers decisions made regarding characters, from actions he makes, sympathy towards him, and his emotional stakes. It also covers the advantages and disadvantages behind various perspectives. It's given me quite a few ideas for short story writing exercises I plan on completing.


Telling Lies for Fun and Profit by Lawrence Block is another excellent resource. It was recommended by Mike Nappa in a previous book. Block has provided advice in many Writers' Digest columns. One aspect that was particularly complimented was how he handled transitions, this section alone is worth the cost of the book, but there are many more tidbits which aid the author. He advises us in our pursuits, examines and warns us of what will come, some of it unavoidable, some not. He allows us to draw on his well of experience and I am grateful that he decided to publish it.

"How to Write like Chekhov" Book Review and Commentary.

"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass."

"Write as if you are painting."

Book Review:

https://paulacappa.wordpress.com/2016...

In addition to the excellent advice listed above, please allow me to share one of my own works. It started out as blog posts and eventually became a little bit more. It's always free on Smashwords. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

Hello everyone! My latest book is on character types and their hidden meanings. It primarily looks at the most common fictional character types found in literature, cinema, television, and even graphic novels. In the book, I explain Jungian psychology as it relates to this topic. I also explain how tastes change in the market and why so that writers can better predict trends and venture into niches markets. The book is presently being used by at least one college for a creative writing class.

https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Guide-Ar...

Two titles that crop up among my writing colleagues are Stephen King's "On Writing" and Eudora Welty's "The Eye of the Story." I would also recommend looking for any of Truman Capote's interviews where he talks about the writing process.

J.C. wrote: "Stephen King's "On Writing : A Memoir of the Craft"
This book is easily one of my favorite of King's books. It provides advice for beginner authors, insight to King's process and the stories behind..."

It was nice. Did not really tell me anything about HOW to write.

J.C. wrote: "William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White's "Elements of Style 4e" is short, concise, and a necessary read for all aspiring writers. It is frequently used in college; in 2011, it made the Time's top 100 be..."

Low level SPAG not really about HOW to write.

Peter wrote: "Check out K.M Weiland's "Structuring Your Novel" and "Outlining Your Novel Workbook". They're great help!"

Those were useful!

J.C. wrote: ""77 Reasons Why Your Book was Rejected" by Mike Nappa

Mike Nappa is a literary agent, editor, and the founder of Nappaland Literary Agency. This book is full of advice from someone behind the reje..."

Certainly useful for marketing.
Not so much on writing per se.

Lisette wrote: "For me, the one book that got my writing on track is Libbie Hawkers, "Take Off Your Pants""

That was interesting. But shouldn't it be put on your trousers?
I guess it depends whether a pantser wears pants or not and just what pants means:)

Hello all

How to do this or that, how to write well ...
There is only one thing that works:
The originality of your story, the way to tell it ... whatever the field. The poetry that was said to be moribund, is booming, publishers are fighting over worms or thoughts on Twitter or Instagram in the USA, writing must first be a passion, success is the readers who follow you. ..
Regards, Dominique MAZZONI jeans

If I translated that correctly then I am not sure exactly what you meant. HOW to write well is different from WHAT WHY and other factors.

You may need what you noted, but HOW do you DO it ??

Telle est la question

Take Your Pants Off is on sale right now for 99 cents for those wanting to learn more about structuring their stories.

Take Off Your Pants by Libbie Hawker

Hello everyone!

Here is my book on creative writing:

Creative Writer's Master Kit http://amazon.com/dp/B0878ZQ1GW

It is a complete guide on how to write high-quality fiction.

You also get my unique creative writing blueprint :)

How to write faster better cheaper easier while meeting deadline on word count for target audience.

william adams
peapod press 2021

I have an upcoming self-publishing guide/reference book that delves into crafting your manuscript so that you have a book that's interesting, well-written, and marketable which is key to selling books. While it touches on the other steps of publishing the book does cover the following topics:
- How to write a compelling beginning, middle, and end
- Creating realistic multidimensional characters
- How to self-edit your books
- How to write an enticing blurb/description


(Coming 6/29/20)

Link to Advanced Reader copy: https://booksprout.co/arc/39098/how-t...

Most public libraries dedicate entire sections featuring books and periodical articles that provide specific advice, contact information, and step-by-step instructions pertaining to writing, publishing, copy editing, conceptual editing, layout design, and graphic design, along with contact information, written by authors, publishers, and editors who have established reputations and achieved commercial success within the literary field.

There are also lectures, seminars, and classes available at little or no cost through community colleges, book clubs, and public libraries for those aspiring authors willing to expend the time, effort, and resources to take advantage of them.

What would you like to see in a book on writing?

What have you read about writing that should have been omitted from books you have read?