This is not meant to be a full book review of books on writing - Just some that I think are essential "Dos" and so far one that I think is a pretty big "Don't". Of course, I am a huge softie and I don't want to totally pan someone else's stuff - so instead of "Don't" I will use the phrase "Do - but last".
So, my personal favorite book on writing? Easy "Sometime the Magic Works" By Terry Brooks.
This is my personal favorite because I find it conversational and inspirational. It's not, unfortunately, the most useful I've come across as it is sort of a discussion of Terry and how he writes and how he got where he's at. It is still great though (Despite some people's view of Terry's works - he even discusses that a little bit).
My next favorite (which is much more practical and was actually useful in changing how I write) is: "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White.
This book is fantastic for helping with those mechanics!
My third fav would have to be "HOw to Write a Damn Good Novel" By James Frey. This one is inspirational and fantastically useful. There is a whole series of these, but this first one is (IMHO) the best.
Next would have to be "On Writing" By Stephen King. This one is only marginally practical, but it is written in signature King style and is imminently readable and inspirational. If you likes King's books, this one is fantstic!
Finally the one I didn't love so much. It is "The Plot Thickens" by Noah Lukeman. It's not atrocious or anything and is pretty informative. I could sum it up by saying it would make a good textbook. Not all that inspirational and not that great of an idea generator. It is the antithesis of King's book. King presents a "No plotting" style to mimic real life where as Lukeman's book has all of these exercises to get characters and subplots "just so". I don't know about you, but with a real job, three kids and a wife, by the time I finished all of Noah's complex exercises, I would be three years down the road and would have never written a page. Probably useful for some who have trouble getting started. Not a bad one-time read, and even I'll keep it around for reference, but it hits the bottom of my list. (Sorry Noah) I apologize to Noah because he is pretty noted in the field and I don't want to make any enemies!
Well, that's my list! There are tons more, but those are the ones I've been toiling with recently.
Have a great and safe and ahppy Fourth of July weekend!!! (And write four thousand pages by Tuesday!)
JG
Comments