7 Must-Have Writing Craft Books

With Marilyn Forsyth

Image courtesy of Giphy

Writers all have a favourite craft book (or two, or ten *grin*) that has helped us along our journey towards publication. Here are the faves of the Breathless group.


Cassandra

The book I've chosen is The Mental Game of Writing by James Scott Bell.

Writing is a mental game (goodness knows my muse often refuses to play fair) but Bell breaks it down into manageable chapters, covering topics such as Burn Out, Stress, Inspiration, Speed, Envy, and many more. He gives some great advice and warns of the many pitfalls a writer can fall into. I was pleasantly surprised by this book and will refer to it when necessary.










Enisa

If you are a perfectionist writer (I’ll admit to being one of those), always editing and re-editing in search of the perfect word/s, and you want to break out of that never-ending cycle I recommend this reference book to teach you how to silence your inner critic and let your muse embrace creativity so you can get on and write the book!

Inspired Writer: How to Create Magic with Your Words by Bryan Hutchinson reveals in an easy-to-read format how to embrace your creative side and embrace it with a passion that will not let you go as you write. Wonderful, helpful advice.

Dee

Writing Screenplays That Sell: The Complete Guide to Turning Story Concepts into Movie and Television Deals by Michael Hauge is my favourite writing craft book. Even though this book is written for the screenwriter, it works for writers in all genres. In it, Hauge (screenwriter of some of the best Hollywood movies of all time) details not only how to develop your story but also how to emote it, make it believable, and how to make viewers/readers absolutely love it! His 3 act structure makes it all so simple. Check out his website Story Mastery for more tips and tools.


Michael’s website: http://www.storymastery.com/




Sharon

The Art of Romance Writing by Valerie Parv is my favourite "how to" book. Valerie begins with a spirited defence of Romantic Novels then goes on to summarise some of the diversity within the genre. Her clear, articulate, engaging writing style enables her to impart important information while empowering her readers.

Miranda


I love Writing Romance by Vanessa Grant. She manages to make everything seem simple and clear about romance writing, and gives excellent suggestions and tips. This one was published some years ago, but it still resonates with me. She gives examples from her own work that illustrate every point. She talks about everything from planning your book to selling it, and also explains the romantic sub-genres. Everything here to make a start, then continue on writing to fulfil your dreams!

Karen

I like Editing Made Easy by Bruce Kaplan.
This book is a practical guide for writers and editors. It explains adjectives, turning nouns into verbs, words to avoid, how to avoid word confusion, punctuation, plural traps, getting to the point, and also gives an editing checklist for when polishing your manuscript. English classes were a while ago so this book serves me in that it is a reminder of the basic rules of writing.



Marilyn 

Donald Maass’s Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook is a brilliant writing course in a book. He covers Character Development, Plot Development and General Story Techniques with a stimulating exercise at the end of each chapter. I particularly like his 22 steps to create a book outline. It’s suitable for writers with either a work-in-progress or a completed manuscript. (PS: Although it’s an adjunct to Writing the Breakout Novel, you don’t need to have read it to gain from the workbook.)



Do you have a favourite writing craft book? At Breathless we're always on the lookout for great books to add to our professional library so please feel free to add your favourite craft book in a comment.

Love to Love receiving my first sales statement from Harlequin MIRA. HUGE thanks to all my lovely readers!

Love to Laugh at Halloween creativity.

Love to Learn about Making Facebook My Friend with Sarah Hood (an RWAus OWL course). Sarah has a wealth of knowledge about marketing and the course was very helpful. Follow this link to her website http://www.marketing4writers.net

Miranda's March Musings: Romance Reference Books To Love!

Darlings, did you catch Dee's post last week about setting goals in your writing? Thanks Dee, great stuff. So, where to start with your writing?



Photo credit: www.amazon.com

This month I'm going to show you some terrific writing reference books that have helped us at Breathless in the Bush - or that I simply loved to read. Though I'm a reader first, I love and adore reading books about writing. The two go hand in hand, don't they? One of them might just provide the spark to kickstart your writing. So go, you...!



One of the first books I read was the beautiful (but sadly out of print) To Writers With Love by Mary Wibberley, who wrote a lot of gentle Mills & Boon in the 1970s and 80s. Like Dee's post last week, this is an inspirational book to get you going and to think and plan, but mostly to enjoy your romance writing. If you can find it in a used version I'm sure you'll love it.



What about more modern (and available!) How-To's? The fabulous Valerie Parv AM has written a superb book everyone needs to read: The Art Of Romance Writing. Go to the top of the queue to attend a course by her or to hear her speak (thank me later). Valerie, for all the love you've given romance writers - and readers - all over the world, we salute you.

Photo Credit: http://www.valerieparv.com/artof.html



Bear with me... I want to let people know about three more incredibly helpful books. The first is a special favourite, The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler. Even if you're not a writer you'll be fascinated by the way Vogler works out structure and analyses mythology's influence on books and movies. It mesmerised me the first time I read it, and it hasn't lost any of that allure. Makes writing seem almost easy. ...Almost!

Picture Credit: www.thewritersjourney.com

I really enjoyed The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes and Heroines by Tami Cowden. If you're struggling with your hero or heroine, and can't work out 'who' you want them to be, this book is your answer. Terrific in-depth stuff that will have your pen itching to hit the page. Or your fingers dance along the keyboard...

Picture Credit: www.amazon.com

I could go on and on - honestly, once you start about writing books, the list is absolutely endless - but the last one I want to mention is the amazing GMC by Debra Dixon. Every scene in your book should have a goal, a motivation, and a conflict. Sound too hard? Not the way Debra describes it. Read it and your writing will take on a new verve and interest.

Picture Credit: www.amazon.com

...And I haven't even mentioned The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi, or Save the Cat by Blake Snyder, or Vanessa Grant's Writing Romance, or reference books such as What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew by Daniel Pool, or.. or....

Every writer I know has their absolute favourite How-To's. What are yours? Do share with us: let us know what motivational or reference book has helped your writing journey - and it just might help someone else as well.

STOP PRESS! Valerie Parv is giving away a copy of her book The Art Of Romance Writing to one lucky commenter. So post those comments now!

Till next time my lovelies,

Miranda xx

I love to love: Jane Austen! Just re-read Northanger Abbey and loved it all over again.

I love to laugh: at funny cat videos on the internet. Yes, I'm a tragic...

I love to learn: what people are reading. Seriously. Please share.