“28 Books to Help You Get a Grip on Writing” by Joan Y. Edwards

A writer reads, writes, revises, and submits his work to contests, publishers, editors, and agents. How does a writer get a grip on his writing? The more you read, the better your write. The more you write, the better you read. It goes in a wonderful circle.

To get a good grip on writing, writers write. However, I believe that if you read books in the following three categories, you grip on writing will tighten with skills and expertise. Your writing will improve in direct proportion as you both read and write. If you write and write and write. It will improve. However, I believe if you add the reading in the following categories, your writing will improve even more.

1. Read 100 books that are best sellers, classics, and your personal favorites in the genre you plan to write.
2. Read 100 books that empower you to believe you can do what you want…build on your belief system inside you.
3. Read 100 books on the craft of writing that share the wisdom, skills, techniques, and experience of good teachers who are published and willing to share.

I believe all three kinds of books are essential. When you go to the library, choose one from each of these categories. Read, study, and take notes. Write using what you’ve learned.

I found the following 28 craft books to be extremely helpful resources to get a grip on writing. There are hundreds more out there. I also included links to three book lists from other souces.

References: Joan’s 28 Craft Books to Help You Get a Grip on Writing

1. Andy Couturier. Writing Open the Mind-Tapping the Subconscious to Free the Writing and the Writer: http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Open-Mind-Tapping-Subconscious/dp/B004JZWVOU/
2. Angela Ackerman and Becca Publisi. The Emotion Thesaurus: http://www.amazon.com/Emotion-Thesaurus-Writers-Character-Expression/dp/1475004958/
3. Carol Baldwin. Teaching the Story: Fiction Writing in Grades 4-8: http://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Story-Fiction-Writing-Grades/dp/1934338354/
4. Donald Maas. The Fire in Fiction: Passion, Purpose Techniques: http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Fiction-Passion-Purpose-Techniques/dp/158297506X/
5. Donald Maas. Writing the Breakout Novel: http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Breakout-Novel-Donald-Maass/dp/158297182X/
6. Donald Maas. Writing the Breakout Novel – Workbook: http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Breakout-Novel-Workbook-Donald/dp/158297263X/
7. Elaine Marie Alphin. Creating Characters Kids Will Love: http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Characters-Kids-Will-Love/dp/1582973695/
8. Elizabeth Kochler-Pentacoff (compiled by). The ABCs of Writing for Children-114 Children’s Authors and Illustrators Talk about the Art, the business, the craft & the Life of Writing Children’s Literature: http://www.amazon.com/The-ABCs-Writing-Children-Illustrators/dp/1884956289/
9. Harold D. Underdown and Lynne Rominger. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Publishing-Childrens-Edition/dp/1592577504/
10. Heather Sellers. Page after Page-Discover the confidence & Passion you need to start writing & Keep writing (no matter what!): http://www.amazon.com/Page-after-Heather-Sellers/dp/158297618X/
11. James Scott Bell. Plot & Structure: Techniques And Exercises For Crafting A Plot That Grips Readers From Start To Finish: http://www.amazon.com/Plot-Structure-Techniques-Exercises-Crafting/dp/158297294X/
12. James N. Frey. How to Write a Damn Good Novel: http://www.amazon.com/Write-Damn-Novel-Step—Step/dp/0312010443
13. James N. Frey. How to Write a Damn Good Novel, II-Advanced Techniques For Dramatic Storytelling: http://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Damn-Good-Novel/dp/0312104782/
14. James N. Frey. How to Write a Damn Good Mystery: http://www.amazon.com/Write-Damn-Mystery-Step—Step/dp/0312304463/
15. Jeff Herman. Jeff Herman’s Guide to Publishers, Editors, and Literary Agents-Who They Are, What They Want, How to Win Them Over: http://www.amazon.com/Hermans-Publishers-Editors-Literary-Agents/dp/1402271999
16. Jordan Rosenfeld. Make a Scene-Crafting a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time: http://www.amazon.com/Make-Scene-Crafting-Powerful-Story/dp/1582974799/
17. Karl Iglesias. Writing for Emotional Impact-Advanced Dramatic Techniques to Attract, Engage, and Fascinate Readers: http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Emotional-Impact-Techniques-Fascinate/dp/1595940286/
18. Lajos Egri. The Art of Dramatic Writing: http://www.amazon.com/The-Dramatic-Writing-Lajos-Egri/dp/1434495434
19. Linda N. Edelstein, Ph.D. Writer’s Guide to Character Traits: http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Guide-Character-Traits-Edelstein/dp/1582973903
20. Lou Willett Stanek, Ph.D. So You Want to Write a Novel: http://www.amazon.com/So-You-Want-Write-Novel/dp/038077688X/
21. Margaret Lucke: Schaum’s Quick Guide to Writing Great Short Stories: http://www.amazon.com/Schaums-Quick-Guide-Writing-Stories/dp/0070390770/
22. Nancy Lamb. The Writer’s Guide to Crafting Stories for Children: http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Crafting-Stories-Children-library/dp/1582970521/
23. Natalie Goldberg. Writing Down the Bones-Freeing the Writer within: http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Down-Bones-Freeing-Paperback/dp/B0035A3PSQ/
24. Noah Lukeman. The First Five Pages-A Writer’s Guide To Staying Out of the Rejection Pile:” http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Five-Pages-Rejection/dp/068485743X
25. Noah Lukeman. The Plot Thickens: http://www.amazon.com/Plot-Thickens-Ways-Bring-Fiction/dp/0312309287/
26. Renni Brown and Dave King. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers-How to Edit Yourself Into Print: http://www.amazon.com/Self-Editing-Fiction-Writers-Second-Yourself/dp/0060545690
27. Robert Brewer. The Writer’s Market: http://www.amazon.com/2013-Writers-Market-Robert-Brewer/dp/1599635933
28. Tracey E. Dils. You Can Write Children’s Books: http://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Write-Childrens-Books/dp/1582975736/
29. Stephen King. “On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft:” https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Memoir-Craft-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B000FC0SIM/

30. Jessica Brody. “Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You’ll Ever Need:” https://www.amazon.com/Jessica-Brody/e/B001JSCD48?

Other Lists of Writing Books

1. Gotham Writers’ Workshop “Writers Resources:” http://www.writingclasses.com/WritersResources/resources.php
2. Nicola Connolly. “My Novel Writing Book Basket:” http://whatsitallaboutandotherstories.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/my-novel-writing-book-basket/
3. Poets & Writers.org. “Best Books for Writers;” http://www.pw.org/best-books-for-writers

Thank you for reading my blog. Leave a comment. Please share your favorite writing craft books with me.

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Celebrate you.
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards

Copyright © 2013 Joan Y. Edwards