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Must-read books for writers, established and aspiring

Must-read books for writers, established and aspiring

Must-read books for writers, established and aspiring

How did I learn how to write? By studying the craft of other writers, first and foremost – voraciously reading across genres from an early age, and studying literature through my schooling and at university. But along the way, like most writers, I’ve picked up the odd tome on writing – the practise, the art, the way of being – that’s provided great guidance, comfort and inspiration. Here are four favourites that sit yellowing and well-thumbed on my shelf.

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg

From the blurb: With insight, humor, and practicality, Natalie Goldberg inspires writers and would-be writers to take the leap into writing skillfully and creatively. She offers suggestions, encouragement, and solid advice on many aspects of the writer’s craft: on writing from “first thoughts” (keep your hand moving, don’t cross out, just get it on paper), on listening (writing is ninety percent listening; the deeper you listen, the better you write), on using verbs (verbs provide the energy of the sentence), on overcoming doubts (doubt is torture; don’t listen to it)—even on choosing a restaurant in which to write.

Why I love this book: It’s funny, it’s warm, it’s true-to-life, and it’s the kind of book you finish and then promptly order other copies for your writer friends (because of course your copy is too precious to lend out). The pocket version is ideal for inspiration on the go.

What We Ache For: Creativity and the Unfolding of Your Soul by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

From the blurb: What We Ache For is a moving and eloquent call to delve deeply into our creative selves, to do our creative work, and offer it to the world… a practical book allowing readers to embrace the urgency and necessity of their creativity, whatever their medium — writing, painting, sculpture, dance, music, or film.

Why I love this book: If you’ve read Oriah’s famous poem ‘The Invitation’, you’ll know that she has a way of stripping the word right back to its fundamentals, and really making you think about what’s important to you. This book is quite spiritual in feel, but provides a lot of food for thought for anyone who longs to be more in touch with their creativity.

You Know You’re a Writer When… by Adair Lara

From the blurb: You know you’re a writer when
. . . You’ll never forgive your parents for your happy childhood.
. . . The doctor tells you that you have terminal cancer and you think, “I can use this.”
. . . You accidentally sign a check with your pen name.
. . . You know more than ten synonyms for “blue.”
. . . You write your Christmas letter as if it were War and Peace.
Many readers will recognize themselves in this collection of observations about the eccentric, quirky, word-obsessed condition that is being a writer.

Why I love this book: I was given this as a gift, and it struck a chord at once. It’s a simple book, but one to treasure as a friend for life, because within the pages is contained the secret life the writer – eccentricities included – and having read the book, you’ll never feel alone in your writing again.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

From the blurb: Rarely has a book on writing been so clear, so useful, and so revealing. On Writing begins with a mesmerizing account of King’s childhood and his uncannily early focus on writing to tell a story. A series of vivid memories from adolescence, college, and the struggling years that led up to his first novel, Carrie, will afford readers a fresh and often very funny perspective on the formation of a writer. King next turns to the basic tools of his trade–how to sharpen and multiply them through use, and how the writer must always have them close at hand. He takes the reader through crucial aspects of the writer’s art and life, offering practical and inspiring advice on everything from plot and character development to work habits and rejection.

Why I love this book: Part memoir, part writing guide, many writers agree that this book is essential reading for its sound advice. It’s the ‘book to be quoted’, so rich is it with nuggets of wisdom, such as ‘The road to hell is paved with adverbs’ and ‘Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s’ and ‘Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work’. A book to read and learn from.

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