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Books about writing - what have you read?
I want to add a page to my business's website for books about writing for writers - books that potential clients may enjoy.
I've read a few that I'm happy to recommend. But have you read any?
As I may not have read your recommendation, I would like to either quote directly from your reason to recommend (and attribute the quote to you, perhaps with a link to your Amazon page), or edit your quote if you wish to remain anonymous.
My email address is on my profile page, so contact me via there if you don't want to go public with the full content of your recommendation. If that's the case, perhaps also post something here so that others may benefit from your suggestion.
Comments
Still have a couple of my own to add, so any more suggestions can be added as and when.
As for the other suggestions on here or by email, I've bought a couple that I hadn't read - I'd like to read them before adding them to the site.
I think you should read a variety, especially when you are just beginning. Everyone is inspired by different stimuli, instruction and encouragement.
For example I found 'The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing' helped me with my character profiles, but I couldn't have worked with other major bits of it, though I know Megrose (who used to be on Talkback) found it very useful.
Another good one for basics was The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman - lots of 'writers' common sense', as you would expect from him. Another one that motivated me to write was David Fryxell's Write Faster, Write Better. Most of them ended up as notes in a folder on my pc.
I've decided I can't add any to my site if I haven't read them - but please keep the suggestions coming in.
Writing a Novel and Getting published for Dummies (both the UK and US versions) - A very good one to read for starters. It gives a great overview for the entire process and great for reminders and pointers.
On Writing by Stephen King - I don't like his fiction, but someone let me borrow this to read. It wasn't much of a writing tips book, more of an auto biography. The helpful information he offered could have been squeezed into a few pages.
Stein on Writing by Sol Stein - The best book by far. Crammed with useful information. I would highly recommend anyone that wants a career in writing to read this. It doesn't give you much on plots or storylines, but will really help improve the way you use your words. Each suggestions is given a very clear description of why you should do it, and it makes a lot of sense.
I've also read several of Holly Lisle's suggestions and tips over the years and find them to be useful. From getting your creative side into gear to work for you to plotting your story and even revising it. There's a guide for all of it and various courses you can join and work through with others too. There's bound to be at least a little something for everyone on her site.