If you had a choice of 5 places to turn for writing support, where would you go?
I’ve bounced about the workforce for 40 years now. My resume looks like I’m vastly experienced… or that I couldn’t keep a frikkin’ job.
But all my ventures had one thing in common. They required the ability to write. For the past 2 years, I’ve focused on storytelling and self-publishing, however I believe the principles of writing success are pretty much universal no matter what your genre or subject.
Here’s what stands out for me:
English Language
The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.J. White
Good ‘ol plain English
http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Style-Updated-Present-Day-ebook/dp/B006TH2CYU/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2
This short book contains the basics of composition, punctuation, and grammar. It gives practical examples of how to write with clarity – get your point across without bullshit. It’s a How-To, a How-Not-To, and it’s a contract killer on adverbs and adjectives.
Craft of Writing
On Writing by Stephen King
Most famous writer alive today
What’s really of value – it’s like sitting in a private meeting with King. Regardless if you like his stuff, you have to marvel at his success and he tells it in King style, F-words and all. Here’s straight goods from someone who’s been there / done that and he’s not one of the hordes of ‘experts’ who write about writing, rather than cranking out good stories that sell. I love his quote about Show vs. Tell – ‘Just tell the goddam story’ and about editorial correctness – ‘Grammer don’t wear no coat ‘n tie’.
Science of Storytelling
Wired For Story by Lisa Cron
Like a science ap for writers
This book caused me to go right back to square one and revise my manuscript. For someone like me who came from a totally anal adherence to science, I had a Eureka moment when I realized there was a straightforward science behind storytelling. Our brains are hard-wired for stories – always have, always will – and this is a science ap for making a page-turner. Serious. READ THIS BOOK!
Motivation
Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Timeless wisdom from the master of motivation
Aside from The Bible, Think And Grow Rich is the world’s bestselling motivational book and for good reason. Personally, I think it contains more truth than The Bible and I don’t care if I’m convicted of Blasphemy for saying it. It was written in 1937 and is a timeless blueprint of 17 principles of personal achievement. The original version contains male vernacular of the time which may piss some people off, but get over it and absorb what it says. Politically correct versions are available.
Writing, Marketing, and Publishing
The Creative Penn Website by Joanna Penn
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/
Gems from a gem
This is by far the best writer resource on the internet and I’m not just saying that because I consider Joanna a friend who’s helped me out enormously. In 4 years Joanna has built up a phenomenal wealth of online advice in her blogs, books, articles, and webinars. She also has about 150 free videos with the whos-who in the industry. She especially caters to idie self-publishers… because she is one herself. If you aren’t following Joanna, START!
I love Robert Newton Peck, he can show you how to build a character, every aspect of it. Love his work too.
Hi Rita & thanks for this. I hadn’t heard of Mr. Peck so I did a little Googling. He is a prolific, successful writer, primarily YA. It’s interesting that his wedding best man was Fred Rogers from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.
Stephen King’s On Writing is excellent…straight-forward, no bs and full of awesome King-isms
The rest all sound really good too, I’m going to have to check them out!
I really don’t have writer resources except for SK’s…my resource is to try and read everything I can get my hands on and pay attention not only to the story itself, but the mechanics of it too…anyone can write, but to write so well that the reader is transported into your story is an art form
Hi Stacey!
I sure agree about reading right across the board but these are the five that really stand out for me. I kinda categorized them into what I think it takes to sustain writing, including getting onto your ass and in front of the keyboard 🙂
I’ve heard it said that transporting into story is called the ‘suspension of disbelief’ and that makes sense. The reader has to forget that it’s a story and swallow the bs as if it were totally real. I recently read King’s 11/22/63 which is about the time traveler going back to stop the JFK assassination. He hooked me right from the start and I went along for the whole ride. It’s one long mother, but then I’m kinda partial to the JFK story!
Tx for the comment. Garry