The Elements Of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E. B. White
This handy little stylebook has probably saved the bacon of more writers than
any other single publication. You can find and correct just about every usage
problem you're (your?) likely to run into. This book teaches more than just
how to use words, but how to use them correctly. The Elements Of Style
belongs on every writer's desk and is justly the most common textbook for
creative writing courses.
Self-Editing For Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
The fiction writer's bible. The best nuts and bolts guide to putting one sentence
after another that I have ever run across. If it concerns getting the words down
on the page, this book covers it. From narrative summary and when to use it
to writing convincing dialog, Self-Editing For Fiction Writers is just
the best handbook around.
Telling Lies For Fun And Profit by Lawrence Block
Suspense writer
Lawrence Block wrote a monthly fiction column in Writer's Digest for
many years. This book is the accumulated wisdom of the best of those columns,
practical information on all subjects writerly, ranging from advice on characters
and plot to advice about when to write, what pace to writer at, etc. As you'd
expect from a collection of 1,000 word essays, it covers a lot of ground, but
not to any great depth. Still, Block's a good writer who knows what he's talking
about, and this book will help any aspiring writer.
The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler
Vogler's book is subtitles "Mythic Structure For Writers", and draws heavily
on the works of Joseph Campbell. This book explores structures and elements
common to most of the myths that originated in the ancient societies that
formed the basis for the Western world. He emphasizes the idea of plot as
journey, whether a physical journey or an emotional one. Different characters
may act as mentors, as villians, or as comic relief, even taking on whatever
role the story requires. This book will help sharpen the plot of just about any
story. When I first read it I was amazed, not at the ways I could apply this
to my stories, but at how many of my stories already had some form
of mythic journey in them. Recommended.
