I’ve learned about writing through books and workshops. Here’s a list of the books that I’ve found the most helpful, so you don’t have to slog through years of unhelpful writing advice, as I did.

Story Genius and Wired for Story – Lisa Cron

I first found Lisa Cron after attending the VONA fiction writing workshop in 2016. Finding Cron was kismet. Wired for Story was offered in Apple Books at a sale price, and I decided to download it. After coming back to Brooklyn from Philly, I was scheduled to dog sit in an unfurnished house for a week. It was just me, my tarot deck, two silly dogs, and the Brooklyn summer heat. At least, that’s what I remember. Instead of feeling lonely or lazy from the heat, my mind was blazing from reading Wired for Story. I learned a lot about writing fiction from my VONA instructor (and classmates), and it was all solidified by reading Cron. My writing, and how I think about fiction, has never been the same.

A few years later Cron published Story Genius, and while she goes over some of the same information in Wired for Story, Story Genius sets up a way to outline a story, which makes Story Genius just as good and more usable than Wired for Story.

The Artful Edit – Susan Bell

I wasn’t interested in reading this at first, but somehow, Bell makes editing fun and interesting. (This book is required reading for Author Accelerator’s Book Coaching program).

Bell’s book has aided me in the re-writing and editing of my novel. She provides editing instruction on what she calls the “macro” and “micro” – that’s to say, she provides editing instruction on the entire project (on themes and continuity) as well as grammar advice. Per her editing instruction, I’ve learned techniques on themes, character building, and clarity.

Bell uses a range of writers (from art writers to literature) as examples to show that her editing concepts truly work on everyone. The Artful Edit features essays from various authors on their own theories and techniques on editing and writing. I often think back to Michael Ondaatje’s essay about “making a book,” because his process is very similar to my own and I find his essay reassuring. Each chapter has exercises and bonus: some of the exercises are actually fun!

This book got me excited to edit!

The Elements of Style – William Strunk and E.B. White

A classic.

Don’t get me wrong, this book is boring, but the advice is first class. Read this book through, then keep it around as a reference. Using the techniques these authors outline is some sort of magic that brings your voice and writing style to the forefront. Highly recommended.

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