To celebrate this blog’s 100th post, I want to share with you a list of Favorite Books for Writers that we compiled here last August. The list grew from my original 10 to 37 (read the full comments for more information about the recommendations). Please continue to comment here and add to the list. Who knows? We might reach 100 recommendations to match 100 posts!
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, by Anne Lamott
- Website
- Bird by Bird with Annie (PBS profile)
Burning Down the House: Essays on Fiction, by Charles Baxter
The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear, by Ralph Keyes
Creating Character Emotions: Writing Compelling, Fresh Approaches that Express your Characters’ True Feelings, by Ann Hood
Don’t Murder Your Mystery and Don’t Sabotage Your Submission, both by Chris Roerden
The Elements of Style, by William Strunk and E.B. White
Elements of Writing Fiction: Characters & Viewpoint, by Orson Scott Card
Escaping into the Open: The Art of Writing True, by Elizabeth Berg
The Faith of a Writer: Life, Craft, Art, by Joyce Carol Oates
The Fire in Fiction, by Donald Maass
The First Five Pages, by Noah Lukeman
The Glimmer Train Guide to Writing Fiction, Volume 1: Building Blocks
Letters to a Young Poet, by Rainer Maria Rilke
- Publisher Website (Norton)
- Publisher Website (Random House)
- First Letter
The Lie that Tells a Truth, by John Dufresne
The Little Red Writing Book: For Writing Aficionados from all Walks of Life!, by Brandon Royal
Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir, by Natalie Goldberg
On Writing, by Stephen King
One Year to a Writing Life: Twelve Lessons to Deepen Every Writer’s Art and Craft, by Susan M. Tiberghien
Page after Page: Discover the Confidence & Passion You Need to Start Writing & Keep Writing (no matter what), by Heather Sellers
A Poetry Handbook, by Mary Oliver
Publish Your Nonfiction Book, by Sharlene Martin and Anthony Flacco
- Excerpt (Publisher Website)
The Right to Write, by Julia Cameron
Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need, by Blake Snyder
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne & Dave King
Snoopy’s Guide to the Writing Life, edited by Barnaby Conrad and Monte Schulz
Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life, by Terry Brooks
Steering the Craft, by Ursula K. LeGuin
Starting from Scratch, by Rita Mae Brown
Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel, by Hallie Ephron
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, by Natalie Goldberg
Writing Great Books for Young Adults: Everything You Need to Know, from Crafting the Idea to Landing a Publishing Deal, by Regina Brooks
The Writing Life, by Annie Dillard
Writing Picture Books, by Ann Whitford Paul
Writing Spiritual Books, by Hal Zina Bennett
Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook, by Donald Maass
Writing With Power: Techniques for Mastering the Writing Process, by Peter Elbow
I’d have to add two – Sandra Scofield’s The Scene Book and Milwaukee author, Judy Bridges, SHUT UP & Write! Thanks for the great list – I may put it up on my blog too.
Pam, thanks for the additions. And, yes, please feel free to share the list! Also, I noticed on a recent blog post that your husband teaches at Marquette. Mine, too! And I’ll be taking a class there this semester. I love those small world moments. 🙂
Wow this list is great!
Rebecca, I love how the titles have come from writers who actually use and treasure the books, rather than just a list of what people think should be on such a list. 😉 I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday!
Great list! I haven’t read Chris Roerden’s books, but I love the titles.
Me, too! (both not having read the books and loving the titles) I know that you had mentioned on the previous post about this topic that you hadn’t read The Faith of a Writer. I think you would adore it.
Maybe we can make the Madison conference idea a reality? 😀
The Faith of a Writer, that sounds perfect. And, yes, I really want to go to Madison. I’d better save some money and start reading that book! 🙂
Fantastic list! Some of my favorites are on here. A few I’ve had to replace because I constantly refer back to them 🙂
Maryellen