For this post, we scoured the web (so you don’t have to) and asked our community of writers for recommendations on some must-have books on writing. We’ve filled this list with dozens of amazing titles, all great, but this list can seem intimidating. so, to get you started, here are our top 10 books on writing
- on the writing of stephen king
- chuck wendig’s great writer
- dreyer’s english by benjamin dreyer
- the elements of the style of strunk, white and kalman
- shawn coyne’s story grid
- swimming in a pond in the rain by george saunders
- bird by bird by anne lamott
- mouth full of blood by toni morrison
- how to market a book by ricardo fayet
- on writing well by william zinsser
But if you’re ready to get down to business, here are 40 of our favorite writing books.
You are reading: Good books to write about
books on how to become a writer
1. on the writing of stephen king
Perhaps the most cited book on this list, on writing, is part memoir, part masterclass by one of America’s foremost authors. Come for vivid accounts of his childhood and youth, including his extensive “lost weekend” spent on alcohol and drugs in the 1980s. Stay for practical advice on using your emotions and experiences to propel your writing. , hone your skills and become an author. Among the many craft-based tips are the king’s expert opinions on the plot, story, characters, and more.
from the book: “fans sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
2. chuck wendig’s kicking writer
If you haven’t visited wendig’s personal blog, head over there now and bookmark it. Unfiltered, profane, and almost always correct, Wendig has become a prominent voice among online writing communities in recent years. At The Kick-Ass Writer, he offers over 1,000 pearls of wisdom for authors, ranging from express writing tips to publishing guidance. written to be read in short bursts, we’re sure you’d agree this is the perfect bath book for writers.
of the book: “I write professionally for 13 years, despite luck. not once, seriously, not once, has anyone ever asked me where I got my writing degree… no one cares about two ferrets fornicating in a grime covered gym sock whether or not you have a degree… the only thing that matters is, can you? write well?”
3. find your voice by angie thomas
Following the advice of famous authors isn’t about imitating, it’s about finding your own voice. Take it from someone who knows: Thomas is the New York Times #1 bestselling author of The Hate You Give, On The Rise, and The Concrete Rose. although he has found his calling in literature, he has great insight to find his own voice in the genre of his choice. Written in guided journal form, this volume comes with step-by-step instructions, writing prompts, and exercises especially intended to help younger creatives develop the strength and skills to bring their vision to life.
of the book: “write without fear. write what is true and real to you.”
4. the forest for the trees by betsy lerner
Since its publication in 2000, The Forest of Trees has remained an essential resource for authors at various stages of their careers. As an editor, Lerner provides advice not only on producing quality content, but also on how to build your career as an author and develop a winning routine, such as how writers can be more productive in their creative process, how to publish, and how to to post well.
of the book: “the world does not make sense until the writer secures his version on the page. and the act of writing is strangely more real than life.”
5. how to write like tolstoy by richard cohen
With its slightly misleading title, How to Write Like Tolstoy is, in fact, a journey into the minds of some of literature’s greatest authors, from Shakespeare to Stephen King. Using, whenever possible, the words of the authors themselves, Cohen invites the reader to participate in the “worries, techniques, tricks, glitches, and occasionally obsessions” that have informed some of literature’s most beloved stories. A note of caution: This is not an invitation to copy, but to explore successful paths to your own sales success.
from the book: “great writers can be inhibiting, and perhaps after reading scott fitzgerald or henry james one can’t help but imitate them; but more often than not these writers are inspiring.”
6. feel free: essays by zadie smith
smith is known for her fiction, but she is also a prolific writer of essays. In Feel Free, she has collected various essays on recent cultural and political developments and combined them with experiences from her own life and career. In The Me That Is Not Me, she explores how her own lived experience comes into play in her fiction writing, and how she manages to extrapolate that to comment on contemporary social contexts, discussing race, class and ethnicity.
of the book: “writing exists (for me) at the intersection of three precarious and uncertain elements: language, the world, the self. the former is never entirely mine; the second I can only know in a partial sense; the third is a malleable and improvised response to the previous two.”
books on language and style
7. dreyer’s english by benjamin dreyer
Dreyer’s English, a basic book on how to write well, serves as a comprehensive guide to correct English, based on the knowledge that dreyer, a senior style editor at random house, has accumulated throughout his career. From punctuation to complicated homophones, passive voice and commas, these tools should aim to facilitate effective communication of ideas and thoughts. dreyer offers this and more, but not without a proper dose of humor and informative examples from him.
of the book: “A good sentence, I often find myself saying, is one that the reader can follow from beginning to end, no matter how long, without having to go back in confusion because the The writer misused or omitted a key part of the punctuation, chose a vague or misleading pronoun, or otherwise inadvertently deviated.”
8. The Elements of Style (Illustrated) by William Strunk, Jr., E. b. white and maira kalman
A perfect resource for visual learners, this illustrated edition of the Elements of Style has taken the classic style manual to a new, more accessible level, but kept its core principle intact: make every word count. The content written by Strunk and White has long been referred to as a summary of the basic principles of the style. Maira Kalman’s illustrations elevate the experience, making it a feast for the mind as well as the eye.
from the book: “a sentence should not contain unnecessary words, a paragraph should not contain unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should not have unnecessary lines and a machine should not have unnecessary parts .”
9. sin and syntax by constance hale
If you’re looking to bring a little oomph to your writing, style editor Constance Hale may be just the thing. Whether she’s writing a work-related email or the next rap anthem, she has one goal: to make creative communication available to everyone by dispelling old writing myths and making every word count. Peppered with prompts and writing challenges, this book will make you want to put pencil to paper.
of the book: “verbose is not synonymous with literary.”
10. the sense of style by steven pinker
Combining entertainment with intellectual pursuit, pinker, cognitive science, and dictionary consulting, it explores and reconsiders the use of language in the 21st century. With illustrative examples of great and not-so-great linguistic constructions, Pinker examines the art of writing and gives a gentle but firm nudge in the right direction toward coherent yet stylish prose. This is not a polemic about the decline of the English language, nor a recitation of pet peeves, but a thoughtful, challenging, and practical view of the science of communication.
from the book: “why writing so much is so bad and how can we improve it? Is the English language being corrupted by text messages and social media? Do kids today care about good writing and why should we?
11. eat, shoot, & leaves: the zero tolerance approach to punctuation by lynne truss
getting down to the nitty gritty, eat, shoot & sheets is a merciless set of tools for authors looking to master punctuation. As a former editor, Truss makes the case for correct punctuation and why we still need it, using examples from literature, history, and neighborhood signs to show the amusing and sometimes disastrous consequences of getting it wrong.
from the book: “a panda walks into a cafe. he orders a sandwich, eats it, then pulls out a gun and fires two shots into the air. “why?” asks the confused waiter, as the panda heads towards the exit. the panda pulls out a poorly rated wildlife yearbook and tosses it over his shoulder. “I’m a panda,” he says, at the door. “search it”. the waiter searches for the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an explanation. panda. large black and white bear-like mammal, native to china. eat, sprout and go.”
books on story structure
12. save the cat! by blake snyder
better known as scriptwriting manual, save the cat! it is so often named by authors as one of their most influential books on writing. the title comes from the tried-and-true trope of the protagonist doing something heroic in the first act (like saving a cat) to win over the audience. yes, it might sound trite to some, but others swear by its bulletproof beat sheet. more recently, there has been save the cat! write a novel, tailoring its principles specifically to the literary crowd. (for a concise breakdown of the beat sheet, check out this post!)
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of the book: “because liking the person with whom we embark on a journey is the most important element to attract us to the story”.
13. the grid of history by shawn coyne
Shawn Coyne is a veteran editor with over 25 years of publishing experience and knows exactly what works and what doesn’t in a story; in fact, he has understood it quite well. The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know describes Coyne’s original “story grid” evaluation technique, which both writers and editors can use to evaluate, revise, and ultimately improve their writing. (in order to prepare it for publication). Coyne and his friend Tim Grahl also co-host the acclaimed Story Grid podcast, another great resource for aspiring writers.
from the book: “The story grid is a tool with many applications. it points out problems but doesn’t emotionally abuse the writer…it’s a tool for reimagining and resurrecting a seemingly irredeemable pile of paper stuck in a breakout drawer, and can inspire original creation.”
14. history structure architecture by victoria schmidt
For those who find the idea of improvising completely terrifying and prefer the safety of structures, this book breaks down just about every type of story structure you’ve ever heard of. Victoria Schmidt offers no fewer than fifty-five different creative paths for you to follow, some of which are less conventional or downright wacky than others. The level of detail here is pretty amazing: Schmidt breaks down the various conflicts, subplots, and resolutions that these different story structures involve, with plenty of concrete examples! suffice it to say that no matter what kind of story you’re writing, you’ll find a blueprint for it in the story structure architect.
from the book: “When you grow up in a westernized culture, the traditional plot structure becomes so embedded in your subconscious that you may have to work hard to create a plot structure that deviates from her… understand this and keep an open mind when you read [this book]. Just because a part doesn’t fit the model you’re used to doesn’t make it bad or wrong.”
15. the writer’s journey by christopher vogler
Moving on, we hone in on the mythic structure. Vogler’s book, originally published in 1992, is now a modern classic of writing advice; Though intended as a screenwriting textbook, its content applies to any story of mythical proportions. In The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, Vogler takes a page (literally) from Joseph Campbell’s Hero with a Thousand Faces to reflect on the most essential narrative structures and character archetypes of the craft of writing. So if you’re thinking of creating an epic fantasy series filled with those tropes we all know and love, this guide should be perfect for you.
from the book: “The hero’s journey is not an invention, but an observation. it’s an acknowledgment of beautiful design… it’s hard to shake the feeling that the hero’s journey exists somewhere, somehow, as an external reality, a platonic ideal form, a divine blueprint. From this model, infinite and highly varied copies can be produced, each one resonating with the essential spirit of the form.”
16. story genius by lisa cron
Offering a more scientific approach to writing, Cron’s Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere) outlines how to use cognitive storytelling strategies to build a step-by-step compelling novel. An opponent to both flying by the seat of your pants and excessive plotting, Cron presents a powerful alternative based on the science of our brains and their inclination towards certain types of stories and storytelling. Trust us, the long title is there to catch your eye — the book itself quite rationally gives you the guidance to help you go from the first spark of a book idea through to the outlining and many drafting stages.
from the book: “we do not resort to history to escape from reality. we turn to history to navigate reality.”
17. swimming in a pond in the rain by george saunders
More than a New York Times bestseller and Booker’s Award winner, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is a distillation of the MFA class on Russian Tales that Saunders has been teaching. Breaking down narrative functions and why we immerse ourselves in a story, this is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand and nurture our ongoing need for fiction.
from the book: “we are going to go into seven meticulously constructed maquettes of the world, made for a specific purpose that our time may not fully support, but which these writers implicitly accepted as the goal of art namely, asking the big questions, questions like, how are we supposed to live down here? why did they put us here? what should we value? what is truth, anyway, and how can we recognize it?”
books on how to overcome obstacles as a writer
18. bird by bird by anne lamott
Like Stephen King’s book on the craft of writing, this work by acclaimed novelist and non-fiction writer Anne Lamott also melds elements of a memoir with insights into the writer’s journey. Particularly known for popularizing the concept of “shitty first drafts,” editor Jennifer Hartmann recently went bird-for-bird on her live webinar for her perspective on book writing. she said, “this book does exactly what it says it will do: it teaches you how to become a better writer. [lamott] is funny, witty and very knowledgeable.”
from the book: “perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. it’s going to keep you tight and crazy your whole life, and it’s the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft.”
19. take off libbie hawker’s pants
Of all the titles on this list, take off your pants has to be the most eye-catching. but instead of commenting on the joys of working from home, this title actually alludes to being a pantsuit: a writer who dives right into his draft with little more than an idea. Hawker doesn’t discourage writers from “gasping,” but he does point out that some sense of structure tends to help, at least in his experience. This book details his process for planning a story and offers several tools and techniques to nail down his book before he begins writing.
From the book: “When it comes to the eternal dilemma of gasping or plotting, you can keep one foot in every camp. but if your goals require you to type quickly and confidently, an effective outline will be your best friend.”
20. writing in the dark by dean wesley smith
And for those who avoid structure altogether, we’ll now refer you to this title from profiled sci-fi author dean wesley smith. Having authored several official Star Trek novels, he definitely knows what he’s talking about when he encourages writers to boldly venture into the unknown with an approach to writing books that doesn’t necessarily involve an elaborate plan. It may not be your plan of action, but it can be a new perspective to get out of the occasional writer’s block.
of the book: “Imagine if every novel you chose had a detailed outline of the entire plot…would you read the novel after reading the outline? most likely not. what would be the point? you know the journey the writer is going to take you on. So, as a writer, why make an outline and then spend all that time creating a book you already know?”
21. no plot no problem by chris baty
if you’re procrastinating to the point where you haven’t even started your novel, chris baty, the founder of nano, is your guy! no plot, no problem is a “low stress, high speed” guide to writing a novel in just 30 days (yes, it’s great prep for the nanowrimo challenge). she’ll get tons of advice on how to survive this rigorous process, from harnessing your initial momentum to persisting through moments of doubt. Whether he’s participating in everyone’s favorite November writing marathon or just wants to read a novel that’s been on his mind forever, Baty will help him cross that elusive finish line.
From the book: “A draft is best written in the steamer of an already busy life. if you have a million things to do, adding the 1,000,001st item is no big deal.”
22. alan watt’s 90 days novel
And for those who think 30 days is too steamy, there’s always the more laid-back option from Alan Watt. In the 90 Day Novel, Watt provides a unique three-part process to help you with your writing. the first part provides assistance in developing the premise of your story, the second part helps you overcome the obstacles to executing it, and the third part is full of writing exercises to unlock the “primary forces” of your story, also known as the energy that will invigorate your work and prompt readers to devour it like popcorn at the movies.
from the book: “why we write is as important as what we write. grammar, punctuation, and syntax are pretty much irrelevant in the first draft. get the story down… quick. get out of your head, so you can surprise yourself on the page.”
23. the war of art by steven pressfield
if you feel like you’re constantly in the trenches of your “inner creative battle”, the art war is the book for you. Pressfield emphasizes the importance of breaking down creative barriers, what he calls “resistance,” to defeat your demons (ie procrastination, self-doubt, etc.) and realize your potential. While some of his views are admittedly controversial (he makes repeated claims that almost anything can be procrastination, even going to the doctor), this book is the perfect remedy for prevaricating writers in need of a little tough love. p>
from the book: “Most of us have two lives. the life we live, and the unlived life within us. between the two lies the resistance.”
books on writing as a lifestyle and career
24. steal like an austin kleon artist
as kleon points out in the first section on stealing like an artist, this title is obviously not referring to plagiarism. rather, it recognizes that art cannot be created in a vacuum and encourages writers (and all other artists) to be open and receptive to all sources of inspiration. By “stealing like an artist,” writers can build stories that already have a foundation of familiarity for readers, but with new twists that keep them fresh and exciting.
from the book: “if we free ourselves from the burden of trying to be completely original, we can stop trying to make something out of nothing and we can embrace influence instead of running from it.”
25. mouthful of blood by toni morrison
The full title of this work, Mouth Full of Blood: Essays, Speeches, Meditations, gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect from one of the most influential and important voices in modern literature. In this collection, the late Nobel Prize winner comments on race, art, and politics over the course of four decades, and offers invaluable insight into the craft as well as the powerful potential of writing. Revisiting and reassessing some of her most famous titles, Morrison discusses revisionist perspectives and their place in the American literary landscape.
of the book: “the life and work of a writer are not a gift to humanity; are the need for it. ”
26. writing the bones by natalie goldberg
No matter what stage you are in in your writing career, writing Goldberg’s bones will help you write more skillfully and creatively. With suggestions, encouragement, and valuable advice on the many aspects of the writing craft, Goldberg is quick to make the crucial connection between writing and adding value to his life. Covering a variety of topics including taking notes of your initial thoughts, listening, overcoming doubts, choosing where to write, and selecting your verbs, this guide has a lot to say about the minute details of writing, but excels at exploring the author’s life. .
from the book: “Write what worries you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to talk about. be willing to be open.”
27. zen in the art of writing by ray bradbury
what does it take to become a great author? According to beloved writer Ray Bradbury, it takes enthusiasm, taste, curiosity, as well as a spirit of adventure. Sharing his wisdom and experiences as one of America’s most prolific writers, Bradbury provides plenty of practical tips and tricks on how to develop ideas, find his voice, and create his own style in this thoughtful volume. On top of that, this is also an insight into the life and mind of this prolific writer, and a celebration of the act of writing.
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from the book: “every morning I jump out of bed and step on a landmine. my land is me. after the explosion, I spend the rest of the day putting the pieces back together. now is your turn. jump!”
28. alice mattison’s kite and string
One of the most common dilemmas an author faces is the struggle between spontaneity and control. literary endeavors need those unexpected lightbulb moments, but a book will never be finished if it relies solely on inspiration. In Kite and String, Mattison heard his cry for help and developed a guide to balancing these elements throughout the different stages of writing a novel or memoir. Sure, there may be rules of language and grammar that govern the way you write, but letting a little fun breathe life into your writing will take it off to a whole new level. on the other hand, your writing routine, loneliness, audience, and goal setting will act as the ropes that keep you from floating too far.
from the book: “don’t feel miserable wishing for a kind of success you wouldn’t enjoy if you had it.”
29. how to become a successful freelance author by craig martelle
This one is for all you freelance authors! Even if you’ve already published a book, you can still learn a lot from this guide from Craig Martelle, who has dozens of stand-alone books, “over two and a half million words,” as he puts it, to his credit. . With patience and experience, Martelle guides him through everything he needs to know: from developing his premise to perfecting his writing routine and ultimately taking his work to the top of the Amazon charts.
from the book: “no matter where you are in your journey as an author, there is always a new level you can reach. roll up your sleeves, because it’s time to get to work.”
30. how to market a book by ricardo fayet
Marketing is one of the most important factors in getting your work to the right audience, so it’s important that all authors (freelance and otherwise) master this task. Fortunately, Reedsy co-founder Ricardo Fayet has just what you need to help: His guide, How to Market a Book: Outperforming in a Crowded Market, breaks down what seems like a full-time job into clear, manageable steps to Self-publishers can make sure their writing gets its time in the sun. If you’re not a freelance author and looking to publish your first book, improve your sales, or build your authoring platform, pick up this book anyway to better understand how book publishing, marketing, and sales work in the 21st century.
of the book: “this is the point: authors cannot find readers; readers find books. Marketing is not about selling your book to readers. it’s about getting readers to find it.”
31. everyone writes by ann handley
The full title of Handley’s Complete Book on Writing is Actually Everybody Writes: Your Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content, which should tell you something about its broad appeal. Handley not only has great ideas on how to plan and produce a great story, but also provides advice on general content writing, which comes in handy when it comes time to build your author platform or mailing list to promote your book. As such, Everybody Writes is nothing like his other books on novel writing: it will make you see writing in a whole new light.
from the book: “In our world, many have the idea that the ability to write, or to write well, is a gift bestowed on a select few. that leaves us thinking that there are two kinds of people: those who have the writing and the hapless, for whom writing well is a desperate struggle, like trying to carve marble with a butter knife. but I don’t believe that, and neither should you.”
books on how to write poetry
32. madness, foal and honey by mary ruefle
With a long history of creating and lecturing on poetry, ruefle invites the reader of madness, rack and honey to immerse themselves in its beauty and magic. In a powerful blend of lecture and reflection, she expertly explores the mind and craft of writers while excavating the magical potential of poetry. Often a struggle between give and take, poetry is, according to Rufle, a unique art form that reveals the deepest workings of the human heart.
from the book: “In a sense, reading is a huge waste of time. in another sense, it is a great extension of time, a way for a person to live a thousand and one lives in a single life, to observe the great impersonal universe in action over and over again”
33. threads by sandeep parmar, nisha ramayya and bhanu kapil
If you’re looking for something that explores the philosophical aspects of writing, threads asks big questions about writing and where the writer stands in an industry that has largely excluded marginalized voices. Where does the writer exist in relation to his text and, particularly in the case of poetry, who is the “I”? Examining the white, British, common male lens, this collection of short essays will make it hard for you not to critically consider your own perceptions and how they affect your writing process.
from the book: “it is impossible to consider the letter without fully questioning its inherent promise of universality, its codified whiteness.”
34. hatred of ben lerner’s poetry
Despite its catchy title, this short essay is actually a defense of poetry. Lerner begins with his own hatred of the art form and then goes on to explore this love-hate dichotomy that doesn’t really seem contradictory. rather, such a multitude of emotions could be one of the reasons why writers and readers turn to him. with his ability to evoke feelings and responses through wordplay and meter, poetry has often been misunderstood as inaccessible and elitist; this is a call to change that perception.
from the book: “all I ask of haters, and so am I, is that you strive to perfect your contempt, even consider applying it to poems, where digging deeper, no dissipate, and where, by creating a place for possibility and present absences (like unheard melodies), it might come to resemble love.”
35. crazy poem by susan g. wool jumper
if you’ve ever felt that the mysterious workings of poetry are out of your hands and expressly not for you, wooldridge is here to tell you that poetry can be written by anyone who wants to. experienced workshop facilitator, he will help you find your inner voice and express it through the written word. Giving you tips on how to think, use your senses, and practice your writing, Wooldrige will have you writing rhyme schemes before you know it.
from the book: “writing a poem is a way of listening, helping me discover what is wrong or what scares me in my world, as well as what delights me.”
36. writing better lyrics by pat pattison
Writing lyrics may not strictly be poetry, but it’s certainly in the same realm. Whether you’re itching to get up on stage or someone who prefers your writing to be a bit more behind the scenes, Writing Better Lyrics will help make your words sing and reach new audiences. Breaking down seventeen songs, examining the distinct elements that make them so effective, and outlining more than thirty lyrics writing exercises, Pattison gives you the tools and the confidence to start crafting your own chart-toppers (or bestsellers).
from the book: “don’t be afraid to write nonsense, it’s the best fertilizer. the more you write, the greater your chances of growing something wonderful.”
books on non-fiction writing
37. on writing well by william zinsser
Strong with its 30th Anniversary Edition, On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction is a permanent resource for nonfiction writers that breaks down the fundamental principles of written communication. As a bonus, the ideas and guidelines in this book can certainly be applied to most forms of writing, from interviews to campfire narratives. Beyond giving you advice on how to keep your writing and voice consistent, how to edit, and how to avoid common mistakes, Zinsser can also help you grow as a professional writer, strengthen your career, and take steps in a new direction.
from the book: “don’t try to visualize the great mass audience. there is no such public: each reader is a different person”.
38. lydia davis essays
Ironically, this rather long book is a celebration of brevity. As one of the leading American voices in flash fiction and short writing, Davis traces her literary roots and inspirations in essays on everything from Proust’s mammoth work to minimalism. both in his translations and in his own writing, he celebrates experimental writing that pushes the limits of language. Playing on the contrast between what is said and what is not said, this collection of essays is another tool for the writing shed to help you feel and use the power of every word you write.
from the book: “free yourself from your device, at least during certain hours of the day, or at least one hour. learn to be alone, completely alone, without people, and without a device that is turned on. learn to experience the purity of that kind of concentration. develop focus, learn to concentrate intensely on one thing, without interruption, for a long time.”
39. brian dillon essay
In this volume, Dillon explores the often overlooked genre of essay writing and its place in literature’s past, present, and future. he argues that the essays are an “experiment in attention”, but also highlights how and why certain essays have directly impacted the development of the cultural and political landscape, from the late middle ages to the present day. Ultimately, despite its multiple forms, subject areas, and purposes, essayism is rooted in self-exploration. Dive into dillon’s short texts to find inspiration for his own nonfiction writing.
from the book: “what exactly do I mean by ‘style’? perhaps it is nothing more than an impulse, an aspiration, a clumsy access of admiration, an infatuation.”
40. naked, drunk and writing by adair lara
Writing about yourself can be one of the hardest things to do as a writer (even if you have all the material right in front of you), as doing so involves showing your vulnerabilities. And yet, leaving a bit of yourself on the page can produce brilliant, hard-hitting writing, especially if you heed the advice that Lara, an award-winning author, columnist, and writing coach, is hitting on naked, drunk, and writing. A must-have for any aspiring memoirist, essayist, or columnist, this book contains detailed breakdowns on how to outline, draft, and edit different forms of autobiographical writing (like a memoir, for example), as well as plenty of inspiration to get you started.
of the book: “write it down. whatever it is, write it down. chip it into marble. write it in microsoft word. spell it out in seaweed on the shore. each of us is an endangered species, delicate as unicorns.”
With a few of these books in your arsenal, you’ll be writing perfect plots in no time! And if you’re interested in learning more about the editing process, check out these books on how to edit, too.