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Shortlist of Recommended Self-Help Books |
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| The Guide to Self-Help Books |
| Fiction Writing | ||
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Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes it helps to make up a story about imaginary people . . . |
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The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers John Gardner “…fiction does its work by creating a dream in the reader’s mind.” This dream, Gardner points out, must be vivid (filled with evocative detail) and continuous (so that the reader is not ‘awakened’ from his dream by awkward writing, inaccuracies, or plot details that do not fit). 1991, Vintage |
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Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life Anne Lamott If you intend to read only one book on writing, then this is it. Bird by Bird is famous for Lamott’s encouraging description of the writer’s job: all one has to do is to write a “shitty first draft.” She deepens the encouragement by revealing that all the successful published writers she knows, including herself, also write shitty first drafts. This is a very funny and profound book, useful for writers, partners of writers and anyone interested in being introspective about life. 1995, Anchor Books This book was a Pick of the Month! Read David's full Book Review. |
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The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile Noah Lukeman The difference between The First Five Pages and most books on writing is that the others are written by teachers and writers. This one comes from a literary agent whose clients include Pulitzer Prize nominees, best-selling authors and American Book Award winners. Lukeman reveals a surprising fact: agents and editors don’t read manuscripts for fun; they are looking for reasons to reject them. He has arranged this book “in the order of what I look for when trying to dismiss a manuscript,” starting with presentation and concluding with pacing and progression. Each chapter addresses a pitfall of poor writing – overabundance of adjectives and adverbs for example, identifying the problem, presenting solutions and offering writing exercises. A very useful book for writers seeking publication. 2000, Fireside |
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From Where You Dream: The Process of Writing Fiction Robert Olen Butler Pulitzer-winning novelist Butler teaches a creative writing class known as "bootcamp" because of the intense creative demands he places on students. Butler exhorts his students to get out of their heads and into the world of the senses, which he posits as the seat of the emotions. Butler shares his insights into - and passion for - the creation and experience of fiction with total openness. This is a gift to all seriously aspiring writers. 2006, Grove Press |
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Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them Francine Prose The trick to writing, Prose writes, is reading - carefully, deliberately and slowly. While this might seem like a no-brainer, Prose masterfully meditates on how quality reading informs great writing. Chapters treat the nuts and bolts of writing as well as issues of craft, all of which Prose discusses using story or novel excerpts. 2006, HarperCollins |
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13 Ways of Looking at the Novel Jane Smiley Pulitizer Prize winner and best selling novelist Jane Smiley celebrates the novel - and takes us on an exhilarating tour through 100 of them - in this seductive and immensely rewarding literary tribute. She explores the power of the novel, looking at its history and variety, its cultural impact, and just how it works its magic. She invites us behind the scenes of novel-writing, sharing her own habits and spilling the secrets of her craft. 2006, Anchor |
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Writers on Writing: Collected Essays From the New York Times John Darnton Brief chapters by many well-known writers are filled with encouragement, reflection, and introspection on the experience of writing. A good place to turn for comfort and reassurance. 2001, Henry Holt |
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Writing Down the Bones Natalie Goldberg A premier teacher of writing describes her “proprioceptive” writing approach, one that is grounded in the bodily experiences of the writer, in order to connect most powerfully with the reader’s experience. Goldberg suggests that many of the rules for good writing and good sex and the same: “keep your hand moving, lose control and don’t think.” The book’s exercises are designed to ease you into your body and your whole spirit while you create from where you are with what you have, writing from the present moment. 1986, Shambhala |
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Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft Janet Burroway and Susan Weinberg The most widely used and respected book on writing fiction, Burroway and Weinberg guide the writer from first inspiration to final revision. Supported by an abundance of exercises, this guide explores and integrates the elements of fiction while offering practical techniques and concrete examples. The book also discusses key issues including writing workshops, using autobiography as a basis for fiction, using action in stories, using dialogue, and maintaining point of view. 2003, Longman |
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Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity Ray Bradbury This much-loved classic on the pleasures of writing from one of the most creative, imaginative and prolific artists of the twentieth century is filled with personal anecdotes to inspire both beginning and seasoned writers alike. Bradbury takes you on mind journeys into his past, showing his development as a writer and practical techniques he has evolved over his seventy-year writing career. 1994, Joshua Odell Editions |
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