It's the first Wednesday of the month so it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group...
The awesome co-hosts for the August 4 posting of the IWSG are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox!
This month's question is:
What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?
To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of writing craft books. I have read a few, but I generally find they kind of flummox me and after reading one, I can't write. I'm too busy trying to analyze my work and figure out how to fit my story to whatever technique said craft book has suggested.
My favorite craft books have actually been about screenwriting rather than novel writing. The lessons can obviously transfer across though. William Goldman's More Adventures in the Screen Trade is a great read. Entertaining and informative. I can also recommend Robert McKee's Story.
And of course there's Save the Cat. Everyone recommends that one.
I think reading too many craft books can be confusing. They all say slightly different things and you can end up wth a whole lot of conflicting rules in your head. I think you can learn more about how to write well from reading a lot and reading widely. Then you'll discover what you like and don't like, what works and what doesn't and how to break those rules the craft books tell you are unbreakable.
What craft books would you recommend?
This is the 3rd blog that recommends Save the Cat, must be a sign. And I agree with you about the varying styles of craft books. Like Beta readers with subjective views, it can get confusing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your go-to craft books.
ReplyDeleteHave a great reading/writing day.
I really need to check out the William Goldman book. I enjoy his work a lot.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite books on writing are Stephen King's On Writing and Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird.
I've never read a writing books. Weird, I know. I've certainly read blog posts about what people do, but otherwise, I prefer to figure out what I like to do on my own. Probably explains a lot about my work, right?
ReplyDeleteI agree. Save the Cat is my favorite. Gives me guidelines without strict rules.
ReplyDeleteNow that I've moved onto screenwriting, I think I need to check out your suggestion. STC of course is a must have! :)
ReplyDelete