Have you read countless books with dreams of writing your own book? Maybe, you’ve read a book so bad you thought to yourself you could do better. The number one advice people give to aspiring writers is to read a lot. You have to read a lot to write well. Reading helps you figure out what does and doesn’t work in books. By reading, you can learn from example like how to write good characters, or how much description is too much, or learn about style and tone.
There are plenty of internet sites giving advice on how to write well. You could google “how to show instead of tell” and hundreds of pages will pop up with advice on descriptions and how to show versus tell. I believe the internet to be a great tool for writers with tons of information out there, however why not learn from published authors and teachers? There are plenty of books out there on writing well. Most of them say to read a lot and write a lot, but if you are looking for tools to write well these 5 books can help you. Here are 5 books every aspiring writer should read.
The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B White
The Elements of Style is arguably one of the most important books on writing well. This book is used in high school English classes to teach grammar, punctuation, passive and active voice and much, much more. I remember having to read the sections about commas and thinking it droned on. However, I’ve had a change of heart. Good writing needs rules and good punctuation.
This book is a great reference to have on your writing desk or nightstand. If you’re not sure about something you can always pick it up and skim through it to find the answer you’re looking for. If you aspiring writers don’t have a copy I highly recommend getting one. They are pretty cheap too!
On Writing by Stephen King
I love Stephen King books so when I saw On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft on sale at Barnes and Noble I knew I needed a copy. On Writing is both a memoir on Stephen King’s life and also provides a score of useful writing advice. He talks about a writers tool kit and what to keep in it. In it he also talks about the two types of writers: the planners and the seat of the pantsers.
Stephen King’s writing style is engaging and entertaining. The book keeps you entertained while learning about the craft of writing. Stephen King’s memoir portion also reflects how you need persistence, dedication and hard work to be a successful writer.
Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury
Zen in the Art of Writing is different from any of the other books on this list. This book is a collection of essays written by Bradbury discussing his love of writing. This book does not include grammar rules or how to’s of any kind. Instead, the essays discuss Bradbury’s love for the art.
For example, the first short essay in the book talks about how you must have fun with writing, otherwise you are only half the writer you could be. Having fun and enjoying writing should be the main reason anyone writes anyways. His essays also talk about creativity and write about what you love or hate. You can look in this book to find inspiration for your next great story.
On Writing Well by William Zinsser
On Writing Well focuses more on nonfiction writing than fiction writing. However, I believe you can transfer Zinsser’s knowledge to other forms of writing, such as fiction. Similar to Bradbury’s book, one of the biggest takeaways from this book is to put your heart into your writing. If you don’t like what you write, chances are neither will your audience.
Zinsser goes into more detail about voice and consistency. Consistency is key when you are novel writing. If something is off or not the same as earlier in the story your readers will notice! This book offers unique tips and advice you wouldn’t normally think about when it comes to writing.
Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell
When writing a book, plot is important. What made the characters go on an adventure? How will the conflict be resolved by their adventure? Oftentimes, plot structure is overlooked by other story elements. Most books on writing barely touch on the subject. Plot and Structure asks the questions on what is happening in the story and why it is important.
The biggest takeaway from this book is the Bell’s L.O.C.K. system. L stands for the lead, O for the objective of the lead, C is the confrontation, and lastly, K is the knockout or strong ending of the plot. All great stories contain these elements but Bell easily explains and goes into depth about each one. If you like this book, Bell wrote other books on writing as well.
Notable Mentions
If you are into writing other things besides fiction, here are a few honorable mentions. The Associated Press Style Book by the Associated Press includes useful information for journalist writing and public relations writing. The Associated Press updates the book every year for the latest information. The Writer’s Market edited by Robert Lee Brower is for people looking to get published. If you have your book written and ready to go, Brower can help you locate markets to publish in, which is super helpful. Lastly, Adair Lara’s book, Naked, Drunk, and Writing: Shed Your Inhibitions and Craft a Compelling Memoir or Personal Essay, gives you the tools in a step by step guide on how to write a memoir. Long title I know, but the information provided in the book can help those looking to write about your life story.
It’s nice to receive writing advice from seasoned and successful writers. My favorite on this list is Stephen King’s, On Writing. He keeps the lessons short and sweet, while also entertaining. However, if there’s one book every aspiring writer should use it’s The Elements of Style. With information on grammar, punctuation, active versus passive voice, and much more this book should be on every writers shelf.
Did you read any of these books? Do you recommend any books on writing? Have you ever written a short story before? Let us know in the comments we love to hear from you!
As always, happy reading!