My Favorite Books for Writers
September 27th, 2008 by --KALEB NATION--
When I was about 12 years old, I stumbled upon a book at the Round Rock Public Library titled “What’s Your Story?” by Marion Dane Bauer. It was a book for kids that described certain steps to tell a story well. Finding that book was a huge milestone in my life.
It was about two years before I started on The Farfield Curse (then, I was writing a fun but abyss of a fantasy story called Enchanted Memories, which had nothing to do with Enchantments, and nothing to do with Memories, but surprisingly enough had many of the same character names as is in The Farfield Curse). I was very new to writing, and when I found this book at the library, I realized suddenly that there was actually such thing as a book about writing a book.
After later miraculously finding another guide by Phyllis A Whitney in our attic, I was led to my first voluntary foray into the upper floor of the library, where the adult books were kept (a milestone in itself). There were about two shelves of books that fit between the decimal numbers for Authorship and Writing Novels: and I am almost certain that I read every book there at least once. I would literally fill up backpacks and baskets with them, bringing every guide on writing that I could find back home, or spreading them out on the library carpet to see if it had anything interesting I had not yet read about.
I discovered, to my dismay, that publishing a book is not as simple as calling up the editor of Scholastic (to me back then, all publishers were Scholastic or HarperCollins, who did Lemony Snicket). I also discovered that my cousin could not be my literary agent, that you actually have to finish a book before sending it out, and that you cannot telephone head editors to pitch your story idea, even if you found their number somehow (sorry Liz at Scholastic).
Thanks to that first book by Marion Dane Bauer, I was led to a treasury of others like it, and slowly formed a list that I re-read at least every 6 months, until I pretty much had them memorized. All the research built up was an enormous help, and having a basic knowledge of publishing lingo is priceless for query letters.
The following books are the ones I recommend to anyone who asks me about writing, or anyone who is already an author and wants something humorous and informative dealing with the writing life:
How To Grow A Novel — by Sol Stein
This book is wonderful throughout. The title is pretty much burned into my memory as a Good Writing Book, so that if anybody asks me what I recommend, this is the first one that comes to mind. I don’t know what it is about it, but this book seems to focus highly on that elusive ‘unique voice’ that makes a good story. It doesn’t really go over commas or correct grammar, but rather how to tell an engaging story and how to hold the attention of readers with your words. One of the biggest things it taught me was a technique of never giving the reader what they want, and in the process giving them exactly what they want. Confusing? Read the book. You’ll understand.
How To Be Your Own Literary Agent — by Richard Curtis
Before the trolls start to hop up and down, screaming that Richard Curtis is my agent and of course I’ll promote his book, there is a secret you should know: I read this book 5 years before I ever knew who Richard Curtis was (yes, it was a very welcome surprise). This book was on my Annual Reading List, because not only did it refresh me on all the duties of agents and the process of getting published, it has a nifty little appendix that describes what a ‘fair’ book deal is (aka $) and a ‘good’ book deal is (aka $$$). The title makes me laugh: there are so many things that agents do, you leave the book all the more convinced that you need to get a good agent, and fast.
Richard has recently offered this book entirely free online through Google.com, and you can read it here. Also there are links on how to buy it from stores (really, it is worth it. When my editor says things in publishingese on the phone, I am secretly paging through this to translate).
The First Five Pages — Noah Lukeman
This book was one of the biggest influences in helping me get an agent. It is very thin (only about 200 pages) but the advice in it is absolutely invaluable. Besides going over the things to keep in mind for the first five pages in your novel (practically undisputed as the most important part of the book) it also goes over Characterization, Dialogue, Narration and all sorts of important elements that go into the story.
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Sometimes The Magic Works — Terry Brooks
If you are looking for a good inspirational story about a real bestselling author, this is the one. I have honestly (and ashamedly) never read a Terry Brooks novel (it’s on my list… I started on Magic Kingdom For Sale just before I moved to college, and left it at home). But that didn’t stop me from enjoying this story in its entirety, as the author goes over his life as a writer, certain stories from his experiences, and the things that he has learned along the way that made him the success he is.
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Beyond The Bestseller — Richard Curtis
Another book by my agent: this one I actually read after I had signed with him, and was searching the Austin Public Library for anything by him. I found this old one (originally from the 1980’s) and read it about 4 times all the way through. It is one of the funniest accounts ever from a literary agent’s point of view, telling of previous clients, wonderful book deals, pseudo-possessed authors (and editors), and much more. In the midst of the humorous stories about the writing life, from an agent’s perspective, there are scores of writing tips to be gleamed.
If you have any other great books for writers, leave it in the comments!
September 27th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I have to leave a plug for “The Pen Commandments” by Steven Frank, which is less about the finished product of a book and and more about the conventions (aka, grammar, punctuation, spelling). However, he takes these boring and often extremely tedious topics and rules and spins the funniest and most entertaining account I have ever come across, intertwining it with endearing personal experiences and anecdotes. I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to write ANYTHING, be it novels, articles, or college essays. It’s really amazing what he does and it immediately joined my list of favorites.
September 28th, 2008 at 8:25 am
There is one book about writing that I am constantly re-reading for help. It’s mainly about writing fantasy and it’s really good. It’s called “Writing Magic” by Gail Carson Levine. I’m always referring to it when I’m stuck on something in my book.
I’ll check out all these books that you have mentioned, I bet they’ll be really helpful.
September 28th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
“The First Five Pages” is simply amazing. I’ve read it about three times in a week. (Of course, I don’t own it, so I have to check it out ON REQUEST if I want to read it.) The beauty of the book is in its smallness - it’s very concise and doesn’t waste space on stupid meaningless junk. Just like a novel should do.
I’ve never even heard of the other books, but now I simply must check them out. Thanks for the post. It will be very helpful.
September 28th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
They all look really good, especially the Terry Brooks one (especially because I’ve read the Magic Kingdom for Sale series. It’s great, you should really finish them!).
September 28th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
But good post.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:05 am
[...] For any writers here, I posted a list of my five favorite books for writers on my other site. The majority of the questions I get by email are about writing, and these are the [...]
September 29th, 2008 at 1:31 am
I just found out there were books on writing too! Before I had no idea. You should read Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine, its really good.
September 29th, 2008 at 3:43 am
I’m definitely going to read one of those books. haha. Maybe all of them if I find out my library actually carries books that are younger than a million years ago (or, well, sixty).
Anyways, thanks for the recommendations!
September 29th, 2008 at 3:54 am
My favorite books are both by Orson Scott Card: “How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy” and “Characters & Viewpoint (Elements of Fiction Writing).”
Fabulous.
September 29th, 2008 at 5:44 am
John Marsden’s “Everything I know about writing” is excellent.
John marsden is an australian writer who wrote the tomorrow series, which is well worth a read.
His book was invaluable to me while i was writing my HSC major work a few years ago.
September 29th, 2008 at 6:21 am
[...] For any writers here, I posted a list of my five favorite books for writers on my other site. The majority of the questions I get by email are about writing, and these are the [...]
September 29th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Definitely “On Writing” by Stephen King. It shows how his experiences throughout his life made their way into arguably the scariest novels of all time. Wonderful book, not only for the great information pertained within, but for Stephen King’s writing style. To use an old phrase, I would read a phone book if Stephen King wrote it haha.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I would suggest that after you have written your novel, article, poem or whatever you’re interested in, buy the book Writer’s Market. It has agencies listed and publishers too. Stephenie Meyer has often explained that WritersMarket.com is how she found the many places she sent twilight way back when. Just thought I’d remind everyone of this helpful tool.
September 29th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Er… arherm…
I believe *I* was the one who brought home “Sometimes the Magic Works.”
Also, it’s worth thinking that (without The First Five Pages)… neither of our books would be what they are now. Scary.
- Jaden
September 30th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Thanks, I’ll head on over to my favorite place in the whole world (Duh, the Library!) and rent them. I definately need help with writing before I ever finish my book. Thanks again! It’ll help me a lot!
September 30th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I happened upon an essay on writing by C.S. Lewis at the end of a compilation of the Chronicles of Narnia. It was extremely helpful and informative - I’m glad I read it.
It helped me get moving on what I’ve been writing. I’m definitely going to check into some of these. Thanks Kaleb.
September 30th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
I’ve read many of the books people commented to mention, but I don’t think I’ve come across any of the ones KAN posted about. My favorite so far is
Beginnings, Middles, and Ends
which was a HUGE help, besides reminding me of many things I knew but forgot, and I kept it from the library as long as I could. (gonna have to buy that one)
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:11 am
did you change something on your site?
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Hmm,
I’ve never read any of the ones Kaleb posted, but I think I will soon.
My favorite books on writing definitely have to be The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing a Novel and Janet Evanovitch’s How I Write.
If you’re ever looking for inspiration the Pocket Muse is a lifesaver.
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
There are two books I have that have proved very helpful. The first is ‘The Art and Craft of Novel Writing’ by Oakley Hall. It’s a little outdated, I will say that, but it covers a lot of important things and is always a good refresher read.
The second I have claimed to be my bible, my life, and my soul. It is the most amazing book I have found by far and it is called ‘The Writers Idea Book’ by Jack Heffron. It has prompts that help get your gears moving, it has useful advice from may different authors and I have found it to help me through a lot of writers blocks. So if you are looking for something a bit more modern and and extremely efficient, read this this book. It is absolutely amazing.