Five Books that Will Take Your Writing to the Next Level

How do you become a better writer? You can write a lot. You can read a lot. And you can read how-to-write books. While my main focus is illustration, I have taken creative writing classes and studied many craft books. Here are the most useful and practical ones I've come across:


Picture Books



Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide From Story Creation to Publication, by Ann Whitford Paul (Writer's Digest Books, 2009) Of the many how to books on picture books, I've found this to be the most useful and practical. Ms. Paul walks the reader through the development of a picture book, from the initial decisions (the story's central question, point of view, compelling main character, conflict) to the nitty gritty of drafting (beginnings, acts, themes, show don't tell, endings). She includes additional great advice on revising and marketing one's work.





YA/Middle Grade Books



Writing Irresistable Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Readers, by Mary Kole (Writer's Digest Books, 2012). Mary Kole's book sets forth the key elements to successful writing for young adults and middle grade readers. Using examples from current and perennial best sellers, Ms. Kole provides an overview of the kidlit market, the mindset of the middle grade and YA reader, and emphasizes the importance of the Hook, or a marketable big idea. She then delves into the nuts and bolts of good writing, including beginnings and endings, developing great characters, plotting, word choice and voice, among other topics. 





General Writing


Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott (Anchor Books, 1995). Anne Lamont is a funny, generous and talented writer who provides inspiration, life lessons, and helpful writing tips to aspiring authors. Although Lamott provides  practical advice in chapters like "Getting Started," "Plot," and "Character" (for example, plot grows from character), her best advice is more encompassing. She provides motivation (just get your horrible first drafts out, trust in your intuition), perspective (publication will not change your life), inspiration (write from your childhood, a time when you felt things deeply and paid attention to life), the reasons to write ("to expose the unexposed," to find your true voice and report honestly about the "cold dark place within"; to write the truth) and why it all matters ("Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand out sense of life: they feed the soul."). 


Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print, by Renni Browne & Dave King (Harper Collins 2004) While the best way to improve your writing is to learn from an expert editor or critiquer, the authors give concrete tips on editing one's own manuscripts, using real manuscripts as well as writing exercises. It was from this book that I really learned the Show, Don't Tell rule, and from there, I learned more about characterization and exposition, point of view, proportion (don't over describe, but don't cut important passages), dialogue mechanics, interior monologue, beats, emphasis, voice, and more.



One Year to a Writing Life: Twelve Lessons to Deepen Every Writer's Art and Craft, by Susan M. Tiberghien (Perseus Books Group, 2007). Divided into twelve lessons, one per month, this book walks writers through exercises that will help sharpen skills and expand their repertoire. She covers journal writing, personal essays, opinion and travel writing, short stories, folktales, poetic prose & prose poems, memoirs, and specific topics like dialogue and working with imagination and dreams.






Other perennial writing favorites include Stephen King's On Writing, and Strunk & White's Elements of Style. What are some of your favorite craft books?