As with every shelf in my library, my writing books overflow their designated space. Some of the books packed on the shelves I have read intently and others I have skimmed or use as reference. Others linger should I ever need them for anything.
Over the years, I have found I return to certain writing books more than others. Here is my short stack:
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
This is a must-read for every writer. It is my favorite writing book. It is ten letters written by the poet to a young writer. In the letters, Rilke advises the writer to embrace solitude and find what makes him write. It is a treatise on how to live like a writer.
Zen and the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury
This is one of the most energetic books about writing available. It is filled with motivation and advice. The man was a legend and this book shows why. Read it. You won’t be sorry.
On Teaching and Writing Fiction by Wallace Stegner
I like this book because it looks at writing as a learnable craft and breaks down elements of writing into exercises that can be used or taught. The book is a series of essays about different aspects of writing. He even covers the use of profanity in literary works.
Bird by Bird by Ann Lamott
This is another classic book on writing and being a writer. It covers everything from getting started to publication and everything in between. It is a fun book to read and useful too.
On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser
This is the premier writing guide for nonfiction. It is what Stephen King’s On Writing is for fiction. Zinsser focuses on clarity and removing clutter from the work.
The Elements of Style by Wiliam Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
First published in 1918, this is the classic book about writing. While some of the rules are considered a bit outdated, the core of the advice rings true. It is a classic for a reason and every writer should read it and take it to heart. Then read Sin and Syntax by Constance Hale to see how writing has changed for the 21st century.
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg
This is another book about being a writer and honing the craft. The chapters are short lessons in a variety of writing topics with some exercises and tips.
On Writing by Stephen King
This is a modern classic on writing by one of our most prolific writers. It is part autobiography, part writing manual. It’s inspirational and will make you want to get to work.
Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator of the Mutinous Crew by Ursula K. Le Guin
It’s Ursula Le Guin. What else needs to be said? This is a spectacular book about writing with creative exercises and lessons. She only focuses on craft. There is no hand holding here, no advice about publishing or marketing. It is just raw truth about the act of writing.
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master by Martha Alderson
This is a great book about plotting. It covers the basic structure of storytelling and how to create a story that builds toward the crisis and climax. There is a corresponding handbook. There are other plot-based books out there that are wonderful (The Marshall Plan and How to Write a Bestseller among them), but I found this one was the most helpful for the way I write. I found it supported creating a structure that allowed for flexibility while writing. For me, it was the perfect hybrid between plotting and pantsing.
Make a Scene: Crafting a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time by Jordan E. Rosenfeld
This book focuses solely on scenes–how to make each one more powerful and functional. It is a wonderful resource on the smaller components of a larger piece. I loved its focus on making every element of a book stronger.
The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp
Choreographer Twyla Tharp believes that creativity is not a gift from the gods, but the result of preparation and effort. Her book offers more than thirty habits to foster for a more creative life. This book is for anyone who creates.