On my journey to becoming a writer, I’ve read a lot of books on the craft of fiction—some good, some not so good. Without a formal education in creative writing or a degree in English, I’ve relied on “how-to” books to fill in the gaps in my knowledge.
Like fiction novels, books on craft are a personal choice; some will resonate, while others won’t leave you feeling fulfilled. The books below are a fraction of the books available, but they are the resources I’ve returned to time and again for many years. In my opinion, these are the best books on writing you need to own:
1. Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York’s Acclaimed Creative Writing School by Gotham Writer’s Workshop®: This book is excellent for the fundamental aspects of writing craft; it’s similar to taking a writing class or can be used as a companion to a creative writing course. What I like most about this book is that each chapter guides you through a different element of writing, such as character development, plot development, and revising, and examples from works of fiction highlight the key concepts. Each section is followed by a writing exercises so you can apply what you’ve learned. When I’m struggling with a fiction problem, I always return to this book to re-read the “rules” on craft.
2. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King: This book is a mainstay on the list of top books on craft, and for good reason. Part memoir and part practical advice on dialogue, theme, revising, etc., writers can also benefit from King’s window into the writer’s life—particularly his personal experiences with rejection and overcoming debilitating health problems after being hit by a car in 1999. It’s witty at times, poignant at others, but an all around entertaining read. If you don’t think you have the patience or attention span to read a book strictly on craft, this one is a great place to start. You’ll be surprised what you learn about writing while immersed in King’s story.
3. The Lie That Tells a Truth: A Guide to Writing Fiction by John Dufresne: I love this book because it is broken into three established sections—Process, Product, and Other Matters. Process focuses on the perils of being a writer and how to navigate through writer’s block, rejection, and the daily hardships of being creative. Product includes a breakdown on plot, character, dialogue, and additional elements of fiction. While other books may include both aspects of being a writer, this book has an engaging tone of voice that’s clear, simple, and matter-of-fact, while still being passionate about writing. Whether I need a refresher on the technical aspects of fiction or advice on writing life, this book provides the best of both worlds.
4. Between the Lines: Master the Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing by Jessica Page Morrell: True to its title, this book really hones in on the elements of fiction and how to enhance your writing. Chock full of examples from published novels and short stories, this book functions as a practical guide that goes beyond the typical. For example, chapter titles include Imagery & Other Charms; Art & Artifice: Keeping Readers Spellbound; and Epiphanies and Revelations. If you’ve already written a piece of fiction and want to pump it up to the next level, or you need inspiration for a particularly difficult section of writing, this book is definitely a top resource to turn to.
5. The Writer’s Little Helper by James V. Smith, Jr.: I stumbled onto this book at the book store and have returned to it repeatedly when I’m struggling with a specific element of fiction. Broken into color-coded chapters focusing on character, dialogue, writing scenes, pacing, and more, it takes me no time to find what I’m looking for and apply the easy-to-use techniques. Many chapters feature checklists, questions to ask yourself, examples, and writing exercises. If you’re looking for a more interactive guide to writing that gets to the point quickly and effectively, this books will more than live up to its name. And it’s small size and durable hardcover makes it portable!
6. Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles & Ted Orland: A must-have for beginning (or too scared to begin) writers, this book tackles all the fears and doubts that plague creative people working in all mediums, including writers of fiction. The topic of fear that hinders artistic development is broken into two sections, including fears about ourselves and fears of the outside world. Read it, live it, go back to it when you’re plagued by doubts. To put it simply, you must own this book.
7. The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield: This book has saved me more than once with its ability to break me out of a writing rut. Pressfield outlines the struggles of being an artist as a war against “Resistance”—which is a catch-all term for the emotional and practical forces that block us from doing our own creative work. With its easily devoured chapters (many are only a paragraph), you’ll find yourself flagging page after page and returning to them when you need a pick-me-up. Like fuel to a fire, this book builds you up and readies you for the battle to write.
8. The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron: I never would’ve started writing fiction without this book. Set up like a weekly course, this guide focuses on creative recovery through spirituality. While the term “spirituality” may turn you off, this book doesn’t focus on any particular religion, but the basic principle that creativity is inherent in us and is good for our lives. Topics include perfectionism, jealousy, and success, as well as many other supportive chapters that aim to help you lead an artist’s life.
9. The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know by Shawn Coyne: I first came across The Story Grid website (storygrid.com) before realizing it was also available in book format, but both resources offer the same revolutionizing information on plot. Whether you’re beginning a novel, in the middle, or have a completed draft, the editing grids outlined in this book will help you define your genre, understand your protagonist’s wants, needs, and goals, and locate the problem areas in your plot. Organized so you can create your own personalized grid as you read along, this is the best resource on plot and making a story “work” that I’ve found.
10. Last but not least…what’s your favorite craft book? Add your favorite’s in the comments!
EasternPennPoints 
Great list and I have two of these – will check out the others. Here are my go-to books I use – the starred ones are on a regular basis.
Craft:
*Wired for Story by Lisa Cron
*Conflict & Suspense by James Scott Bell
*Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
*Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass
*Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass
*The Art of Character by David Corbett
Creativity:
SNAP: Seizing Your Aha! Moments by Katherine Ramsland
The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It by Twyla Tharp
Eternal Echoes: Celtic Reflections on Our Yearning to Belong by John O’Donahue
Thanks Donna! You have a few on here by Donald Maass, so I’ll have to check him out!
A very successful YA author John Dixon shared with me his 2 most influential resources to his rise from writing wannabe to published author.
Writing the Breakout Novel
Save the Cat , (this book about screen writing is super useful in writing commercial fiction.)
Thanks for adding to the list, Steven! I’ve always heard that books on screenwriting are helpful, so “Save the Cat” might be on my TBR list very soon.
Great list Lori — and others! A couple of others I like (and these are maybe less craft and more inspiration oriented (Julia Cameron-esque):
WRITING DOWN THE BONES, Natalie Goldberg
BIRD BY BIRD, Ann Lamott
Also: there are a bunch I can think of that are more PB oriented, but maybe those belong in a separate post…
I’ve always seen “Bird by Bird” on every list of great writing books, but I’ve never read it. Adding it to the (growing) pile!
I think a list of writing books for PB authors would be really valuable to the blog readers. If you ever want to write a post, you can contact Lindsay Bandy, the blog coordinator. Her email is under the Submissions/Monthly Themes tab at the top of the page.
I’m rather fond of WRITING IT RIGHT: HOW SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN’S AUTHORS REVISE AND SELL THEIR STORIES. But, then, I am the editor!
Thanks Sandy! This sounds like a great one as well…always nice to see books that specifically target children’s authors. And there’s no shame in including your own books on the list! Then we know it’s a must-read!
Wow this is so helpful. I haven’t had anything published yet, still writing. I’ve taken only one writing course then gone out and bought some very basic writing books. The Writer’s Little Helper looks like one to add to my resource list. Thanks, Janet
Great, I’m glad you found it helpful, Janet! These resources really do work.
Thanks for sharing your list fun to add new titles to mine. My personal favorites are: (as referenced by Meg Medina at the recent SCBWI Pocono Retreat) THE WRITERS GUIDE TO CRAFTING STORIES FOR CHILDREN by Nancy Lamb, and WORD MAGIC by Cindy Rogers.
Thanks for the additions to the list, Chrissa! The more options the better…you never know what writing book is going to speak to you.
This is a great list!! THANK YOU Lori Ann!!!
You’re welcome, Dana! Thanks for reading the post and taking time to comment!
Writing it Right by Sandy Asher and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books by Harold Underdown–two super helpful books to add to the bookshelf!
Thanks so much, Kim!
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