I liked McKee too. I found Story to fascinating, but not very practical. Or, maybe there were a lot of lessons I just missed because I kept thinking about Adaptation. I’m not sure. But I remember liking the book.
Speaking of to be read: Enemies of Promise - Cyril Connolly / The Screenwriter's Bible -Trottier. I've been so hectic with work (not writing boo hoo) that I haven't had the time to read these two yet although they have been sitting on my shelf for some months now.
Haruki Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running + Novelist as a Vocation! For the more business-y side, Courtney Maum's Before and After the Book Deal.
I read a really good book on writing recently called "Writing Without BS" by Josh Bernoff. While the book focuses mostly on cutting BS out of business writing, that book has made me a lot more focused on saying what I mean, among other things.
I've always found Steven Pressfield's "The War Of Art" a good kick in the pants, as a refresher now and again. "Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t" is also good. It's blunt (in a non-aggressive way, he's not the David Goggins of writing advice) but it's also really boiled down and clear. I like that about him.
And - it's not writing advice as such, but Jenny Odell's "How To Do Nothing" really moved the furniture around in my brain regarding being kind enough to yourself to get your creative work done, and to recognise social media for the chaotic, anxiety-and-negativity-riddled mess that it is. That's the book that finally stopped me thinking I wasn't "doing social media right" - and once I'd got over that insecurity, I could go back in and find a way to use it that felt a lot better (and be a bit smarter about helping folk discover my work). So - that one, for sure.
And the classic, already mentioned by other folk here, Stephen King's "On Writing" - especially for the timeless and immensely wise advice: "write with the door closed, edit with the door open", ie. keep both separate, and when you need to compose your writing, do everything you can to shut the wider world up. Let yourself hear your own thoughts, otherwise you're doomed.
Lots of great books here. One book I’d add is Save the Cat. If you’re looking for an accessible break down of story archetypes beat by beat, Save the Cat is great. It’s written for screenwriters, but it’s applicable to all storytellers. It’s also a really quick read.
Bird By Bird – Anne Lamott
On Writing – Stephen King
The Elements of Style – Strunk and White (the Maira Kalman illustrated edition is my personal favorite of this)
On Writing and the Elements of Style are a couple of my favorites too. I didn't realize there was a new illustrated edition--checking that out now.
oh and almost forgot maybe one of the most important writing books for me career-wise...
Comedy Writing Secrets by Mel Helitzer!
A Horse at Night by Amina Cain
To Write as if Already Dead by Kate Zambreno
Meander, Spiral, Explode by Jane Alison
Oooh, I've never read any of these! I'll have to check them out. Thank you.
Seconded: Meander, Spiral, Explode - Jane Alison
On Writing - Samuel R Delany. I love Stephen King’s version but this is better.
Steering the Craft - Ursula Le Guin
Story - Robert McKee
I've read Robert McKee's before, I really enjoyed it. I have Steering the Craft on my shelf--maybe that will be my next read!
I liked McKee too. I found Story to fascinating, but not very practical. Or, maybe there were a lot of lessons I just missed because I kept thinking about Adaptation. I’m not sure. But I remember liking the book.
Speaking of to be read: Enemies of Promise - Cyril Connolly / The Screenwriter's Bible -Trottier. I've been so hectic with work (not writing boo hoo) that I haven't had the time to read these two yet although they have been sitting on my shelf for some months now.
The Art & Business of Online Writing by Nicolas Cole
Oooh, I like that this is geared specifically to online writing! How cool!
The phrase “actionable takeaway” is usually one best left unsaid, but this book really is full of them.
Many of my favorites are already listed! Adding a few more:
To Show and To Tell by Philip Lopate
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
Dreyer's English by Benjamin Dreyer
I've heard great things about Writing Down the Bones, but I've never taken time to read it! Adding it to my list now.
Haruki Murakami's What I Talk About When I Talk About Running + Novelist as a Vocation! For the more business-y side, Courtney Maum's Before and After the Book Deal.
I just finished Before and After the Book Deal--fittingly, just after signing my book deal. It's great!
Anything by Helen Sword!
I've heard great things about Helen Sword, but I haven't checked her work out yet.
You definitely should :)
I read a really good book on writing recently called "Writing Without BS" by Josh Bernoff. While the book focuses mostly on cutting BS out of business writing, that book has made me a lot more focused on saying what I mean, among other things.
I think I've heard of this one, but it never occurred to me that it could be applied to creative writing. Thanks!
I've always found Steven Pressfield's "The War Of Art" a good kick in the pants, as a refresher now and again. "Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t" is also good. It's blunt (in a non-aggressive way, he's not the David Goggins of writing advice) but it's also really boiled down and clear. I like that about him.
And - it's not writing advice as such, but Jenny Odell's "How To Do Nothing" really moved the furniture around in my brain regarding being kind enough to yourself to get your creative work done, and to recognise social media for the chaotic, anxiety-and-negativity-riddled mess that it is. That's the book that finally stopped me thinking I wasn't "doing social media right" - and once I'd got over that insecurity, I could go back in and find a way to use it that felt a lot better (and be a bit smarter about helping folk discover my work). So - that one, for sure.
And the classic, already mentioned by other folk here, Stephen King's "On Writing" - especially for the timeless and immensely wise advice: "write with the door closed, edit with the door open", ie. keep both separate, and when you need to compose your writing, do everything you can to shut the wider world up. Let yourself hear your own thoughts, otherwise you're doomed.
all the books listed here, esp. the first one: https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/7-books-for-writers
Seth Godin's "The Practice". For all creatives. Not just writers.
Lots of great books here. One book I’d add is Save the Cat. If you’re looking for an accessible break down of story archetypes beat by beat, Save the Cat is great. It’s written for screenwriters, but it’s applicable to all storytellers. It’s also a really quick read.