My Favorite Books for Writers

by Adam Huddleston

I thought this week I’d share a few books that I felt were very helpful for new writers.

The first is “Writing Fiction for Dummies” by Randy Ingermanson and Peter Economy. At first glance the title may appear to be condescending or lead the observer to believe that there is little useful information between its covers. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

The authors touch upon a wide range of topics in fiction writing. Everything from plot creation and character development to querying an agent and understanding royalties are covered. And what’s better, they are explained in a very easy-to-understand manner. This is the first title I read when I began my journey as a writer and I still return to it from time to time.

Another great reference, which I’ve referred to in the past, is “The Writer’s Digest Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy” by Orson Scott Card. Who better to give advice on writing fiction that a world famous author? He covers world-building, story creation, and the business side of writing.

For another famous author’s views on writing, read “On Writing – A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King. This personal work focuses more on his life and how he became a writer than actual advice on the subject, but it is still an interesting read nonetheless.

Finally, no writer’s bookshelf would be complete without William Strunk and E.B. White’s “The Elements of Style.” The subject matter may get a bit technical at times, and it exists as more of a reference than a title you would read straight through from beginning to end, but it is a classic. It contains helpful information on proper grammar and punctuation usage, as well as a list of commonly misused words and expressions and several “reminders” when writing.

Run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore (yes there are still books with paper pages out there), and pick-up a copy of these marvelous works. You’ll thank me later.

Happy writing!