Resources for Writers

When I’m asked about how I get writing done, I end up saying the same thing: spend time almost every day on writing, even if it’s just fifteen minutes. Of course, this is easier said than done. If you want to write more, improve your craft, and begin publishing, here are some books that I recommend.

The Plot Thickens by Noah Lukeman : This book offers many strategies for developing complex characters. A go-to resource for the first draft of a novel.

The 90-Day Novel by Alan Watts : A combination of practical advice, reassurance, and writing strategies, this book will keep you moving through the first draft of a novel.

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Brown and Dave King : This book will help you improve your writing at the sentence level and develop your craft.

Writing with Style by John Trimble : Forget Strunk and White. This is the absolute best grammar guide for elegant, readable prose. It’s consummately readable itself since John Trimble practices what he preaches.

The Sell-Your-Novel Toolkit by Elizabeth Lyon : So you’ve written, rewritten, and rewritten. You’ve workshopped your manuscript at a conference. You’ve joined a writer’s group and gotten feedback. You’ve let your manuscript cool off and rewritten it again. Now you think you’re ready to sell it. This book is a crash course on getting an agent and more. Don’t start querying until you’ve read it.

How to Write a Great Query Letter by Noah Lukeman : This free e-book demystifies query-writing. Lukeman is very much in the tough love camp, but if you follow his advice, your query letter will be the better for it.