Books for Serious Writer
Many libraries have these books. I buy my favorites in paperback (even used) because I reread them and highlight vital passages. Of the hundreds of books I've read on the craft of writing, these have the meatiest content and clearest examples in them. For those who cannot afford the time and money to get an MBA in writing at this time, launch your own independent learning program.
Discover your weak areas and master them by studying books specifically about them. Struggling with plotting? Dialogue? Description? Finding your narrative voice and style? Here's my go-to list of books by experts on each topic.
Click on the book title to see the Amazon listing. As an Amazon affiliate, I am like a bookstore, I can earn a little from Amazon for the books you buy. It doesn't cost you anything extra. Thanks!
If you are a beginning writer and want to invest in your future, let your friends know that you want these for your birthday or Christmas.
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. This workbook empowers creative people to embrace and expand their imagination and individual style. Allow months to work through this book by doing the exercises.
The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White This 105-page powerhouse is empowering in its simplicity. This book emphasizes communication over trying to impress, and it works!
Word Painting Revised Edition: The Fine Art of Writing More Descriptively by Rebecca McClanahan Poets, fiction writers, and journalists need to describe things, people, and events clearly and accurately. Word choice matters.
Write Your Novel from the Middle: A New Approach for Plotters, Pantsers, and Everyone in Between by James Scott Bell. This man's books on plot, structure, and story are worth reading and studying. This book shows how to structure a story from the critical midpoint or identity crisis at the heart of the story. Blockbuster movies rely on this technique.
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass. Insider advice on taking your fiction to the next level. How to develop a multi-dimensional character. How to build the moment for greater dramatic punch. How to structure a story to create dynamic tension. This book is best applied to a completed manuscript.
Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer’s Guide to Making More Money, Second Edition by Kelly James-Enger. This book is about the business of writing non-fiction and freelancing. It is amazing she took the time to share her business strategies. God bless her for sharing her know-how so others can learn from her experience. She is a magazine writer and journalist, not a fiction writer. Her business advice is spot on.
Book in a Month by Victoria Lynn Schmidt, Ph.D. This workbook organizes the process of structuring that first draft. It is a sort of plotting-for-beginners way of learning structure.
Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing by Les Edgerton. Voice and style are often confused. The narrative voice is the key that separates one storyteller from another, and a distinct narrative voice is what agents, publishers, and readers search for in great writing.
From Where You Dream: The Process of Writing Fiction by Robert Olen Butler. Writing from the subconscious to reach the sensual organic reality of the story. Shows the fiction writing process from concept to completion.
Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon.
Good Advice on Writing by William Safire
How to Write Bestselling Fiction by Dean Koontz. No longer in print, so check your local library.
On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser
Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder. Screenwriting principles are storytelling principles.
Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee. This is a thorough book on structure and plot from beats to scenes to chapters. It covers the structure of the story in detail and is considered the screenwriter’s Bible.
The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers by John Gardner
The Synonym Finder by J.I. Rodale. When the word you really want to use is on the tip of your tongue, and all you can think of are words like it, this reference book is as handy as a dictionary. For example, it gives 55 synonyms for the word walk.
The Complete Rhyming Dictionary by Clement Wood, revised by Ronald Bogus. Songwriters, poets, and literary writers rely on this reference book. By the way, poets starve; songwriters earn money.
The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing by Evan Marshall is a direct, practical, hands-on guide to completing your novel. Though the story structure is formulaic, it works and serves as a solid template for first-time authors.
The Writer’s Journey – 25th Anniversary Edition: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler. This book explains and explores Joseph Campbell’s extensive study of the Hero’s Journey through history.
Thirty Days to More Powerful Writing by Jonathan Price. This book examines sentence variety through examples and exercises to elevate your prose. A well-crafted sentence delivers meaning with impact.
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg. This book explores the writer’s life and approach to writing.
Writing Novels That Sell by Jack Bickham. Eye-opening practical advice from a successful, seasoned writer.
Online Resources for Serious Writers
Amid the vastness of the internet, these blogs, websites, and lessons offer consistent, high-quality content for writers who are learning their craft.
https://www.authormedia.com/subscribe/ by Thomas Umstattd Jr. about marketing.
https://couponfollow.com/research/money-saving-guide-authors-writers/ Lots of great stuff for serious writers recommended by Fullers Library.
https://floridawriters.blog/author/jonimfis/ Joni M. Fisher’s blog on the craft of writing for the Florida Writers Association.
www.forwriters.com Add your website link to the author’s list. You can list your recent titles and the type of writing you do in the link list.
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
www.hiveword.com/wkb/search a search engine for online resources for authors.
www.internet-resources.com/writers/ a portal site of resources for writers.
https://www.qualtrics.com/articles/experience-management/online-tools-for-writers/ This resource was suggested by Conner Santos. Thanks, Conner!
https://rachellegardner.com/path-to-publishing/ Find excellent articles here on various aspects of writing from the Gardner Literary Agency.
www.refdesk.com is a monster list of links.
www.rhymezone.com searches for all words that rhyme with your entry. Also, find quotes using your words.
www.ridethepen.com Craft topics written with humor, along with resources to download.
www.sfwa.org See the Writer Beware section to learn which publishers, agents, and editors have not honored contracts or have filed for bankruptcy. Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA).
www.storyfix.com is the website of Larry Brooks, author of Story Physics and other books and workshops on story structure.
www.tvtropes.org (TV Tropes)
https://Warriorwriters.wordpress.com variety of writing topics written with humor.
https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/writers-digest-best-writing-advice-websites-for-writers-2021 List of the best websites for writers.
www.writers-free-reference.com has name etymologies, song lyrics links, and a wide variety of reference links on many subjects.
www.writerswrite.com has a lovely job listing section
www.writerunboxed.com offers a treasure trove of articles, blogs, and such on the topic of writing.
There are many more blogs and websites on the craft of writing. For specific genres, look for resources on the professional organization's website, such as https://www.scbwi.org/ for writers and illustrators of children's books.
My list is more general on the overall craft of writing fiction.
Please share this blog with other aspiring writers.
Which of these resources do you use? Which others do you recommend?
MORE ON WRITING FICTION:
Read more about writing for magazines or paid blogs:
Types of Articles
Finding Your Writing Topics (Your Niche)
What You Need to Know to Write for Publications
Interviewing Sources (Experts) for Articles
Queries and Writer's Guidelines
