Writing books

[BelovedK]

What are some of your favorites??

I like the Writers Idea Book, the Writers book of Days..which breaks down subjects and prompts into seasons and A Room to Write.

Those are only three of my long list, just the ones I'm using now. XH just got me a book called the Playful Way to Serious Writing by Roberta Allen and i can't wait to dig into it (it looks good0

I'm a writing book addict...

What are some of yours, Do you even like writing books? Do you use them?

[mamarhu]

Telling Lies for Fun and Profit, by Lawrence Block

Different sort than the ones you mentioned, but the title alone makes it great, don't you think?

[BelovedK]

Originally Posted by mamarhu

Telling Lies for Fun and Profit, by Lawrence Block

Different sort than the ones you mentioned, but the title alone makes it great, don't you think?

Oh, I have that one too, it's really good at helping you define what you're going to write and how to market it...i haven't finished it yet though

[supersarahmommy]

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

[snozzberry]

Originally Posted by supersarahmommy

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

I second that! It's the best writing book I've ever read.

[teacup]

I've never read it, and in fact I might bungle the title, but a lot of people recommend Writing Down the Bones. It might be Getting Down the Bones. Not sure.

[LilithX]

Greetings all! New to this forum, but not to MDC. Just thought I might broaden my horizons a bit

"Writing down the bones" is pretty good, imo.
Another I like is "On Writing" by Stephen King.
And "Elements of Style" remains, imo, the quintessential primer on the basics.
Oh, and there is one called "Dark Thoughts on Writing", consisting of quotations from (mainly) horror/suspense writers on the craft which I found very useful.

I find it more helpful, JMPO, to read books which were/are written in the areas I am interested in writing in rather than books about writing, though both have their place.

Lilith
mom to John, 13
Sage, 6

[BelovedK]

Welcome Lilith, "Dark Thoughts on Writing" sounds interesting...

I agree that it is best to read really good writing rather than writing books, I'm just addicted to them though

[zinemama]

Even though I am not a Stephen King fan (the novels), I really liked "On Writing." And Betsy Lerner's "The Forest for the Trees: advice to writers" is also really good. It's from the perspective of an editor, and full of insight into writers and their ways.

[danaan]

oht
bird by bird and writing down the bones are good, yes. i also like writing in a convertable with the top down and the wave of the mind. one that kicked me in the butt to write a book is why didn't i write that?