Books About the Craft of Writing
- On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, by Stephen King. A blend of memoir and masterclass in writing, offering practical advice and personal anecdotes from one of the best-selling authors of all time.
2. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, by Anne Lamott. A humorous and insightful guide filled with practical advice and encouragement for aspiring writers.
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, by Natalie Goldberg. Combines practical writing exercises with insights on creativity and mindfulness.
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
By Steven Pressfield. Focuses on overcoming procrastination and self-doubt, making it perfect for writers struggling to start or finish their projects.
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel
By Jessica Brody. A detailed guide to using the popular “Save the Cat” plotting method for novel writing.
Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels
By Gwen Hayes. Perfect for writers of romance novels, breaking down the elements of a successful romance story.
Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy
By Orson Scott Card. Offers advice tailored to authors writing in the speculative fiction genres.
The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
By Christopher Vogler. Explores storytelling through the lens of mythology and the hero’s journey.
No Plot? No Problem!
By Chris Baty. Written by the founder of NaNoWriMo, this book is a fast-paced guide to writing a novel in 30 days.
You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One)
By Jeff Goins. Encourages aspiring writers to embrace their identity as writers and provides steps to build a successful career.
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
By Renni Browne and Dave King. A step-by-step guide to revising and editing your fiction manuscript.
The Anatomy of Story
By John Truby. A detailed breakdown of how to create complex and engaging stories.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
By Elizabeth Gilbert. Encourages writers to embrace creativity without fear or self-criticism.