Writing Resources: 7 Books For Improving Your Manuscript
Whether a crawling novice or polished professional, writers from
every walk of life have room for improvement in their work. An
endless array of rules and techniques must be kept in mind when
writing - punctuation, grammar, transition, show don't tell,
etc. As a result, it's extremely important to have a firm grasp
on the fundamentals. By stressing the fundamentals, coaches and
trainers have transformed individuals of modest talent into
world class competitors. Why should writing be any different?
Focus on the fundamentals and success will follow.
Below is a list of seven books I believe every writer should
read and re-read. Some of these books focus on writing fiction.
But even if your exclusive domain is as a nonfiction writer, you
can benefit enormously from the tips in these books. Remember,
the best writers show instead of tell. And there's no better way
to paint a vivid picture in the mind of a reader than by
employing some of the basic principles of fiction writing. So
keep an open mind. And if you long to improve your writing
skills, devour these books with the utmost enthusiasm.
The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
A classic moving into its eighth decade, The Elements of Style
should be second only to the dictionary in the life of a writer.
In a clear and concise manner, it spells out the rules of usage,
explains the principles of composition, provides commentary on
matters of form, and gives twenty-one ground rules for creating
written words that harbor universal appeal.
The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman
Written by a successful literary agent, The First Five Pages
speaks directly to writers aspiring to see their words appear in
print. The author stresses the importance of not only the first
five pages, but the first five words. The book teaches writers
how to refine a manuscript so that it's an instant
attention-grabber - one that hooks not only agents and editors,
but the end reader himself.
The Plot Thickens by Noah Lukeman
Lukeman's follow-up book, The Plot Thickens promises "8 ways to
bring fiction to life". And if you follow the rules in this
book, your fiction writing will improve dramatically. Lukeman
explains that great fiction is more than just a good storyline.
Great fiction stems from well-developed characters, motivations,
suspense, and conflict.
How to Write a Damn Good Novel by James Frey
A classic bestseller that caters to the aspiring fiction writer,
How to Write a Damn Good Novel delivers on its promise to
provide "a step-by-step no nonsense guide to dramatic
storytelling". Author James Frey creates an A-to-Z,
easy-to-follow roadmap for success in fiction by stressing the
fundamentals of excellent writing.
On Writing by Stephen King
Written more as "a memoir of the craft" than a "how to" book,
Stephen King's On Writing provides readers with a unique glimpse
into the mind and work habits of one of the bestselling writers
of all-time. How many "how to" books can do that? Trust me on
this one, you're bound to find a few tips you can apply to your
own writing.
Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
As editor to some of the most successful authors of the 20th
Century, and a bestselling author himself, Sol Stein provides
valuable insight into the secrets of the trade. Each chapter is
a brief lesson on how to improve at least one aspect of your
work. Stein even provides a chapter titled "Using the Techniques
of Fiction to Enhance Nonfiction". This is an excellent resource
for writers.
How to Grow a Novel by Sol Stein
In this book, Stein focuses more on the fiction writer and the
specific process of writing a novel. But writers from every walk
of life can benefit as Stein explores common mistakes of writers
and offers a blueprint for bringing a story to life.
Commit to memory the principles espoused in these books, and
your writing skills will improve by leaps and bounds. You'll
experience success in almost every area of your life due to your
improved ability to communicate. So what are you waiting for?
Start reading now!