Books on writing

[orlok]

Like the OP, I'm guilty of buying many book on writing, not all of which I have got round to reading. That said, the best book on writing I have read is Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass.

This is what I said when I wrote a review in 2012:

Simply the best book I have ever read on writing. It's not a typical writing craft "how to", it's more about ideas. How you can beef up your existing or work-in-progress novel to make it more powerful, more engaging, more significant, how to "break out". It took me much longer to read than might be expected, and this was simply because almost every page sparked an idea, and I would have to stop to make a note of it before continuing.

Cannot recommend it highly enough to the aspiring, or even to the successful, writer.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

I'm not an author but the class that Brandon Sanderson teaches at BYU was interesting for me to watch.

I was able to make my own DVD's of those classes. You can never have enough instruction on how to write.

[crich70]

Not a book but you may find this free course of interest:Plot on One Page. She also has a printable about the Plot Embryo, which isn't free. It costs around $24.00 for a copy. You can make your own Plot Embryo sheets of course as she goes over the material in the course. It's 7 short videos (not available on her Youtube page), one video per day.

[pendragginp]

The Mental Game Of Writing, James Scott Bell. Clear, practical, excellent.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by pendragginp

The Mental Game Of Writing, James Scott Bell. Clear, practical, excellent.

Bell actually quotes something I wrote, in one of his books, (whoo-whoo!) so I'm obviously biased in his favor. ;-)

I am surprised that not one of you, unless I've missed it, has mentioned Techniques of the Selling Writer, by Dwight Swain, which is considered a classic standard in the "how to" category of learning how to write a book that will sell. Swain's work formed the basis of Ingermanson's various and sundry how-to books, and his (rather humorous) Goldilocks how-to (using the Snowflake method, as well, of course) books. Swain's action-reaction methodology is pretty much standard practice today, AFAIK.

Hitch

[gmw]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Bell actually quotes something I wrote, in one of his books, (whoo-whoo!) so I'm obviously biased in his favor. ;-) [...]

Well now, that depends, doesn't it. Were you quoted as an example of "how to" or "how not to"?

(Sorry, couldn't help myself. I probably should try harder.)

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by gmw

Well now, that depends, doesn't it. Were you quoted as an example of "how to" or "how not to"?

(Sorry, couldn't help myself. I probably should try harder.)

ahem. Really, you think I'd mention it if I were a Dire Warning? Sheesh!

Hitch