November is just around the corner and with it, the start of NaNoWriMo. In honor of that this month’s book list features another of my favorite nonfiction areas, books on writing.
This list shares two of the most popular writing books covering the basics for those just being introduced to this subject. I also cover a couple of guidebooks to NaNoWriMo. There are more advanced books covering a do it yourself approach to a master’s program as well as different story structure frameworks to help with the planning or editing processes.
From author memoirs to writing prompts to story editing, these books have given me inspiration, motivation, and insights into the writing process.
The Basics
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
No book list about writing would be complete without bestselling author, Stephen King’s On Writing. Part memoir and part guide, this book shares practical advice and tools of the craft as well as a record of King’s life and career.
I first read this book right before my initial NaNoWriMo voyage. This is actually the only Stephen King book I’ve read. I grew up with my dad collecting and reading everything King wrote but most of his books have always seemed too scary for this HSP. Still I loved On Writing. It flows with easy story telling and surprisingly friendly advice from someone known as the “King of Horror”.
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird was another book that I read before my first time participating in NaNoWriMo. This book is a collection of short essays about writing and sometimes life. Based on a memory of her father telling her brother to take an overwhelming school report he’d waited months to write, “bird by bird”.
From how to write to how to manage life as a writer, Lamott offers inspiration and advice in an honest and humorous tone. I found this book to be very encouraging and comforting with essay titles such as “Shitty First Draft” and advice like:
“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere.”
DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community by Gabriela Pereira
I happened upon this book while scanning the writing books at my library and I’m so glad I did! Gabriela Pereira’s DIY MFA was inspiring, encouraging, and so applicable. This book is the do it yourself answer rather than going back to school for a Master of Fine Arts in writing, something that is not an option for many people. She breaks down the main components of a MFA program – writing, reading, and community – showing readers how to create these aspects for themselves.
Gabriela Pereira also has a podcast, DIY MFA Radio, where she interviews tons of authors about their writing process and publishing journey. She has a great website too with tons of resources including a start kit and access to her writer community.
Guides for NaNoWriMo
No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days by Chris Baty
Chris Baty is the founder of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). In his book, No Plot? No Problem! he guides writers through the intense and exciting four week project. He offers inspiration in the form of pep talks (one of my favorite parts of the NaNoWriMo website) and strategic advice for taking on this challenge.
It’s all about creating a deadline and turning off your “internal editor”. From there, it’s a race to get as many words out of your head and onto the page as you can. That way you have material to work with later on in the editing process.
Write Your Novel in a Month: How to Complete a First Draft in 30 Days and What to Do Next by Jeff Gerke
I stumbled across this book when it was available as a kindle daily deal around the time I began participating in NaNoWriMo each year. Write Your Novel in a Month by Jeff Gerke is another guide to completing a novel in 30 days. It is engaging and thorough, split into three sections. The first covers planning, outlining, and the writing craft. The second involves writing the novel fast, within 30 days. The final section goes into editing and then seeking publication. I appreciate that this book goes further into the process than the initial 30 day challenge.
Story Structure
The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know by Shawn Coyne
I first heard about the story grid as a podcast. Editor Shawn Coyne discusses his story grid framework, genre conventions, and the writing process as he mentors beginner novelist, Tim Grahl. In his book, The Story Grid, Coyne shares a tool writers can use to figure out if their story works or not. It also pinpoints any problems in the structure, scenes, and beats of the story. This book is especially helpful in the revision process.
“What The Story Grid offers is a way for you, the writer, to evaluate whether or not your Story is working at the level of a publishable professional. If it is, The Story Grid will make it even better. If it isn’t, The Story Grid will show you where and why it isn’t working—and how to fix what’s broken.”
Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels by Gwen Hayes
I recently reread Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes, author and editor. It seemed particularly timely since I’m leaning toward writing a romance this November. This book is a short, to the point, break down of romance story structure. Hayes breaks the story down into 4 phases each having 5 beats that must be hit for the novel to flow properly. Her “beat check” is helpful for both the editing or the planning process.
Honorable Mentions
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg
Natalie Goldberg is a painter, poet, writer, and teacher. She’s taught writing and literature for the last 35 years. I read Writing Down the Bones a long time ago but I remember enjoying all of the different writing prompt ideas and exercises. Goldberg has a unique take on the writing practice with her Zen approach. If her style works for you, she has an extensive backlist of writing books.
“Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.”
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
I haven’t read this book yet but it will be the next writing book I take in if my library hold on it ever comes through! Since being published in 2018, Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody has featured on nearly every writing resource I use. Brody takes the popular Save the Cat! screenwriting approach and applies its plotting principles to novel writing. This is another book that can help in the outlining process or during revision. I believe it breaks down plot points by different genres as well.
What are your favorite books on writing? Let me know in the comments below. I’m always on the hunt for new writing and editing resources.
