I'm not sure if I suggested this one but Consider This by Chuck Palahniuk is one of my favorite books on writing. I also wanna add Secrets of Story by Matt Bird, and The Idea by Erik/Eric Bork.
Chuck Wendig's Damn Fine Story is a damn fine book on writing. As are his others, Gentle Writing Advice and Kick Ass Writer, but Damn Fine Story is my favorite.
John Yorke's Into the Woods: a Five Act Journey Into Story and Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics are two books in my writing library I couldn't do without
I bought Romancing The Beat when my first book demanded to be a trilogy, and the second book was going to be a double romance. Not just a modern love story, but a classic Ivanhoe style romance with swashbuckling adventure and political intrigue. The third book will be a hearty adventure where the hero takes her army to war. I need a book on that, too. I also have "Writing Magic" by Gail Carsoon Levine. It's mostly a book for kids just starting, but with some useful ideas that are worth looking at. A tidy 167 pages, including the index at the back.
I really liked On Writing, more as a book than writing advice, but I'll definitely have to check out Bird by Bird. On a side note, I've lived in SoCal my whole life and bundle up when it dips to 60 degrees, I think if I even step foot into -5 weather I would immediately die.
1:45 I would argue Stephen King's On Writing is popular neither because of A) His name or B) it being a helpful writing book, but rather option C) because it's a GOOD BOOK, meaning it's fun to read. And this is exactly my criticism of it and why I don't think it's a good book on writing: Stephen King has been writing for SO LONG--and he's a "gardener" or "pantser," so genius just kind of flows out of him (and he works really hard). But he can't put it in words imo and is actually pretty negative about the whole craft, like, "You either got it or you don't." Get out of here with that crap. Yes there is talent, like in anything, but a newbie can learn to do anything better IF they have a good coach or manual. I recommend this book but not to be taken as a guide.
Garland, Swain, McKee, Field, Truby: Top notch books. Weiland and Gale (Betwixt) are head and shoulders above anyone when using archetypes to drive plot and character arcs.
You Can Write A Novel - the 1st edition - by James V. Smith jr This has been an invaluable resource for me with my writing. He wrote a second edition which I got, but was not impressed with. His 1st edition I highly recommend you check out.
I'm not sure if I suggested this one but Consider This by Chuck Palahniuk is one of my favorite books on writing. I also wanna add Secrets of Story by Matt Bird, and The Idea by Erik/Eric Bork.
Great recommendations!
Chuck Wendig's Damn Fine Story is a damn fine book on writing. As are his others, Gentle Writing Advice and Kick Ass Writer, but Damn Fine Story is my favorite.
I have read Stephen King’s On Writing, and I will definitely try to pick up some of these other ones
You won’t regret it!!
John Yorke's Into the Woods: a Five Act Journey Into Story and Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics are two books in my writing library I couldn't do without
I bought Romancing The Beat when my first book demanded to be a trilogy, and the second book was going to be a double romance. Not just a modern love story, but a classic Ivanhoe style romance with swashbuckling adventure and political intrigue.
The third book will be a hearty adventure where the hero takes her army to war. I need a book on that, too.
I also have "Writing Magic" by Gail Carsoon Levine. It's mostly a book for kids just starting, but with some useful ideas that are worth looking at. A tidy 167 pages, including the index at the back.
The book about writing romance is just what I needed right now.
Also, I like the brown dog occasionally on the background. Cute.
I would add K.M. Weiland's series of books on various aspects of writing (many of which also have accompanying workbooks)
I really liked On Writing, more as a book than writing advice, but I'll definitely have to check out Bird by Bird. On a side note, I've lived in SoCal my whole life and bundle up when it dips to 60 degrees, I think if I even step foot into -5 weather I would immediately die.
Jeff Vandermeer's Wonderbook was good.
I have this one and it’s great for flipping through and not worrying about a dense wall of text!
1:45 I would argue Stephen King's On Writing is popular neither because of A) His name or B) it being a helpful writing book, but rather option C) because it's a GOOD BOOK, meaning it's fun to read. And this is exactly my criticism of it and why I don't think it's a good book on writing: Stephen King has been writing for SO LONG--and he's a "gardener" or "pantser," so genius just kind of flows out of him (and he works really hard). But he can't put it in words imo and is actually pretty negative about the whole craft, like, "You either got it or you don't." Get out of here with that crap. Yes there is talent, like in anything, but a newbie can learn to do anything better IF they have a good coach or manual. I recommend this book but not to be taken as a guide.
Good insight! I’m with you
Summation on King's advice: xxIT Happens.; or it doesn't.
Garland, Swain, McKee, Field, Truby: Top notch books. Weiland and Gale (Betwixt) are head and shoulders above anyone when using archetypes to drive plot and character arcs.
You Can Write A Novel - the 1st edition - by James V. Smith jr
This has been an invaluable resource for me with my writing.
He wrote a second edition which I got, but was not impressed with. His 1st edition I highly recommend you check out.