[LeslieG Posts: 174 Status: Offline WWW]

I've just started SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS by Renni Browne and Dave King, and find it immensely insightful. I also finally picked up ART & FEAR: OBSERVATIONS ON THE PERILS (AND REWARDS) OF ARTMAKING by David Bayles and Ted Orland.  Even though ART & FEAR isn't a craft book, it's got some great insights into what makes creative people tick (or stop ticking, as it were), and helpful ways to understand ourselves.

[Liz Straw Posts: 981 Status: Offline That was a yummy book!]

I have too many books on "how to write" and need to remember to just write.

I read the reviews of other people and think, oh, that would be a good book to get and suddenly I am reading about what I should be doing!

I have an entire shelf on writing, creative thinking, etc. :paperbag

[AnneB Posts: 3,753 Status: Offline]

I read the reviews of other people and think, oh, that would be a good book to get and suddenly I am reading about what I should be doing!

 

[kategoka]

My Very First Post... on a subject I've been thinking about recently too.

Here are the few that have helped me the most.

    Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print/ Renni Browne and Dave King
    Novel Metamorphosis/ Darcy Pattison
    The Anatomy of Story/ John Truby

I'm going to check out a bunch of these other recommendations too, especially Second Sight/ Cheryl Klein

[cekster Posts: 8 Status: Offline I love kids' books! WWW]

I'm a picture book writer and have these on my shelves, plus the 2013 Children's Writer's & Illustrator market book, but I borrow many writing books from my library.  Getting inspiration is essential. But as well, I read countless numbers of picture books, which I find extremely helpful to my craft.

Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul
Children's Writer's WORK BOOK

[kategoka]

In the July/August 2008 SCBWI bulletin, the book Novel Metamorphosis by Darcy Pattison was featured in an article by Franci McMahon. I believe I've heard of this book before and am considering purchasing it to help me through revisions of my current YA. Has anyone else used this? What are your thoughts?

I used a lot of the exercises from Novel Metamorphosis/ Darcy Pattison and they helped a lot with my MG novel re-write. For me it helped the most with developing stronger sensory details, punching up the final "obligatory/ battle" scene and adding more unique characterization. All good stuff.

For plotting and narrative arc, I like The Anatomy of Story/ John Truby better.

[awful waffles Posts: 75 Status: Offline A Nana who loves to write, and finally has time! WWW]

 I love Writing From the Heart by Joy Cowley, my writing hero.

[dkshumaker Posts: 1,448 Status: Offline WWW]

I'm with Liz Straw - there are so many fantastic writing books out there and I have quite a few, but in the end I need to stop reading about writing and just write! BUT, I've looked at this thread on and off for months now - if a couple of books sound promising, I add it to my list of books I want and then occasionally "treat" myself to one if I can't find them in the library. Hmm. .  Valentine's Day is just a few weeks away, isn't it?

[olmue Posts: 3,531 Status: Offline WWW]

I opened this thread again to add a book, and it turns out Jean started off the thread with it. I'm only partway through Mary Kole's book, but I'm really enjoying this one! The beginning is your basic what-is-MG-and-YA, but once you get past that, yeah, it's really for people who are not beginners anymore and need a bit more meat. I'm reading it quickly straight through, and then will be using it as a workbook. In particular, she has great things to say about showing, telling, interiority, and raising the stakes. I definitely recommend it!

[Jennifer D G Posts: 669 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thanks for the suggestion, Rose! Our library system has 6 copies and I just put myself on the wait list for the next available copy. It must be a good one!

[LeslieG Posts: 174 Status: Offline WWW]

This one's been mentioned in years past, but since I just finished it and found it pretty terrific: STEIN ON WRITING by Sol Stein.

[kategoka]

I found a book recently that I wanted to share with you all and I was very happy when this thread just popped up in the "replies to my posts" section.


THE MAKING OF A STORY: A NORTON GUIDE TO CREATIVE WRITING by Alice LaPlante

Each chapter is made up of three parts:
1) the usual "instruction," broken down into about 10 short sub-sections.
2) 2 writing exercises that relate to the chapter topic-- with examples from LaPlante's own students.
3) And 1-4 readings by published authors

I usually get these kinds of books at the library but I ended up buying myself a copy so that I could take notes in it as I go. The chapter on revision was incredibly helpful to me, offering the pros and cons of workshop style critiques and a great description of the different stages of a creative work. LaPlante also got me on the road to "an exercise based approach to deep revision" as she calls it.