10 Best Books on Fiction Writing
These are the best books on fiction writing I’ve ever read. I’ve read plenty but the ones on the list are superb. Don’t let them slip off your radar.
Books are about to become your best friend if you’re ready to dive into the world of fiction writing. You can learn not only from reading other fiction works but also from reading the best books on writing fiction.
Writing creatively is a skill, and the more you learn about it, the better your writing will be.
So, which books should you look for at the library or add to your Amazon wish list? How can your reading lists help your work become the next best seller?
10 Top Books on Fiction Writing
Here are some of the best books on fiction writing that will help you become the next Anne Lamott or Stephen King, or at the very least improve your creative writing and story structure:
1. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide To Writing Nonfiction
Yes, this book is about nonfiction, but the tools you’ll learn in On Writing Well will also help you write fiction. This book by William Zinsser was first published in 1976, and it has since become a classic.
So, what conclusions can you draw from this work? This book is jam-packed with writing advice on sentence structure, mechanics, and overall writing abilities. The tone is very conversational, which makes it a breeze to read.
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2. Story Engineering: Mastering The 6 Core Competencies Of Successful Writing
Larry Brooks’ book is essential for fiction writers. Writing short stories and novels necessitates an understanding of storytelling, or the process of creating a story and bringing characters to life, which is exactly what this book aims to teach.
The book treats storytellers similarly to engineers. It teaches them how to piece together a successful story until they have a workable story and plot structure.
The writing is challenging, but the skills you will gain will be useful in teaching fiction writing.
3. The Secrets of Story
Have you ever wondered why some stories are so compelling while others are so uninteresting? The Secrets of Story attempts to answer this question.
This book by Matt Bird will teach you how to tell a story that will captivate your audience and keep them wanting more.
This book makes the list because it includes a handy checklist. With the checklist in hand, you can improve your fiction writing so that people are compelled to read it.
This is a must-read that every aspiring writer should have on their reading list.
4. Improve for Writers: 10 Secrets to Help Novelists And Screenwriters Bypass Writer’s Block And Generate Infinite Ideas
Every writer, regardless of skill level, will experience writer’s block. Jorjeana Marie’s Improv for Writers teaches writers how to overcome this and generate new, fresh ideas that keep the writing flowing.
This book is jam-packed with useful advice written in a positive, affirming tone. The author’s passion for writing and writers shines through on every page, making it a pleasurable read.
5. About Writing: Seven Essays, Four Letters, & Five Interviews
About Writing delves into the particulars of fiction writing. Author Samuel R. Delany delves into topics such as when to use flashbacks and how to create vivid characters who pique the reader’s interest.
Delany investigates how today’s writers differ from authors of previous generations, such as Hemingway and Fitzgerald, in this book.
This teaches modern writers how to understand the great classic writers while also understanding their own needs as modern authors.
6. The Art of Fiction: Notes On Craft For Young Writers
Author John Gardner takes classic works of literature and explains what makes them great to young writers.
The Art of Fiction teaches new fiction writers how to view their craft as a form of art. Through criticism, passion, and respect for artistic works, it assists people in making the transition from reader to writer.
7. How to Write a Damn Good Novel
In this book, James N. Frey delves into the art of dramatic storytelling. It investigates not only good writing but also storytelling and story structure.
Writers can create a compelling and effective first draft by following the writing advice in this book. Fiction writers who want to write a novel should put this one on their list.
8. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Books written by exceptional storytellers are always valuable additions to a writer’s library, and Stephen King provides On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.
King returns to his childhood to discover what shaped him into the famous author he is today. This provides the reader with a glimpse into the mind of a master storyteller.
Along the way, King delves into the structure and mechanics of writing. He also discusses the writer’s lifestyle, which makes his book a must-read for anyone who is truly passionate about fiction writing.
The book is an engaging memoir with a lot of practical advice woven into it.
9. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions On Writing And Life
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott delves into what it means to be a writer. She believes that many people have a book inside of them that needs to be released.
Her witty approach to the writing life can help you understand exactly what it will take to break through writer’s block and create your next new book or screenplay.
10. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
Not all of the books on this writer’s recommended reading list are about plot structure and character development.
Renni Browne and Dave King’s Self-Editing for Fiction Writers teach writers how to edit their own work using solid editing techniques.
It delves into everything from dialogue to point of view to ensure your writing is sound before sending it to a publisher.
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- Daddy’s Little Girl 2 – Letter to Parents
- The Tortoise And The Feast in Heaven
- Why The Tortoise And The Squirrel Are Not Friends
Writing fiction is a skill that must be honed over time. Many of us have stories to tell, but you may need some assistance to get them out.
Before you hire a literary agent or look for a publisher, spend some time reading from this list of must-read books for writers.
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