The 5 Best Books on Writing, Change My Mind
Everyone has such strong opinions on what books are the best books on writing, and I’m here to share my even stronger opinions. These are the next five books that need to be added to the top of your reading list, change my mind.
Woe Is I by Patricia T. O’Conner
This is a great book if you struggle with grammar. English grammar is confusing and frustrating, but can make or break your manuscript. This is another one I read in college as a text book for a workshop, and I really enjoyed the simplicity in the way O’Conner breaks down grammar concepts. She gives really specific examples, and leans into common mistakes writers make. Not only do you get the rules of grammar, but it’s like she’s read your manuscript and already knows what mistakes you’ve made.
Where to buy this book:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Thriftbooks | Don’t forget to check your local library!
The Making of a Story by Alice LaPlante
The Making of a Story by Alice LaPlante is the first book I’ve ever read specifically on writing. I read it in college in my first creative writing class. This book is thick and bright because it deserves the attention it demands. This book tells you how to start your story, end your story, and do all of the inbetween. There are wonderful chapters on character development, plot structures, story tropes, and anything else a burgeoning writer would need to know.
Where to buy this book:
Amazon | Barnes and Nobel | Thriftbooks | Don’t forget to check your local library!
On Writing Well by William Zinsser
On Writing Well by William Zinsser is a classic in the reference genre. I personally have the second edition. I got this book from my favorite professor in college for enthusiastically answering a question wrong. This book is great for your revision and editing processes. The chapter that stands out the most for me here is the chapter on conciseness. The value of cutting down on words is immense, and Zinsser explains the nuance effortlessly.
Where to buy this book:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Thriftbooks | Don’t forget to check your local library!
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
This is a book that when I created the list I couldn’t really remember the content, honestly. But, I do remember how motivated it made me feel. It’s like that Maya Angelou quote, “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” That’s exactly how I feel about this book. I started this book and couldn’t stop reading. I revisited it for this video, and remember that the author, Natalie Goldberg, is a creative writing professor. A lot of what she shares in this book are anecdotes from the classroom, her years as a writer, and life lessons for authors.
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Thriftbooks | Don’t forget to check your local library!
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White is another great book for editing your work. This book goes over grammar, punctuation, tone, voice, and much more. Learn the difference between passive and active voice, where the semi-colon goes, and what needs to be capitalized in your manuscript. This is a classic that I think will be around for a long time to come. I personally love the illustrated edition.
Where to buy this book:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Thriftbooks | Don’t forget to check your local library!
Conclusion on the best books on writing
All of these books are great to keep in your personal library or to know where they live at your local library. There are hundreds of pages here that will help you unlock new tools and ideas so you can be the best writer you can possibly be. If you think I got the top five best books on writing wrong, leave a comment and let me know what I’m forgetting.
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Another great way to beat the tropes is to have round, relatable, and realistic characters. In under 15 minutes, this training will teach you how you should actually look at the character profile, and what to do with the information in it when it’s complete.
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Michelle Renee Miller
I’m Michelle. I’m a short story writer who holds a Bachelor’s degree in creative writing. I teach the foundations of creative fiction writing to writers just starting out, looking to get published, or somewhere in between. I’m bringing my teaching practice online so I can reach more writers just like you, and we can all grow our craft together. Plus, you won’t need to sit through four years of school and go into student debt just to be able to write a decent story if you stick around here.
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8 Applicable Tips to Help You Become a Better Story Writer