It is a truth universally acknowledged that an author in possession of a story idea must be in want of a craft book on writing.
Confession time. I can’t go into a bookstore without at least taking a gander at the reference section. My eyes skip over the dictionaries and SAT study guides to dwell on the books dedicated to the art and craft of fiction writing. I know there is no craft book that holds the magic nugget of truth that will gild my prose or gift me with the perfect plot. But, it won’t stop me from searching. And the lessons I’ve learned along the way, enable me to create my own magic.
I consider that a win.
Regardless of where you are in your own writing, I’d encourage you to continue to hone your craft. Very few authors hit it out of the park on their first novel. Uber-successful fantasy author Brandon Sanderson famously wrote thirteen novels that were rejected before his sixth novel was acquired. I have two “practice” manuscripts that will never see the light of day. But those early attempts served their purpose. My first published novel, Adrift, was nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Book. My third novel, Shadow Ridge, won the Colorado Book Award. Those successes came only after expending a lot of effort studying my craft.
I’m currently in that liminal space that exists between books. My current manuscript is with my agent while the outline of my next book is coming into focus. I find this is the perfect time to grab a new or beloved craft book–both to cleanse my mind of one story and find inspiration for another. Reading about strong openings or how the midpoint is the perfect place for your character’s goals to become more complicated often sparks scene ideas.
Here are some of the writing craft books that I’ve found particularly helpful. The first one happens to be the book I’m currently spending time rereading.
The Fantasy Fiction Formula
When I decided to enter the realm of fantasy writing, I knew there were going to be genre expectations that differed from the mysteries I’d written. It wasn’t until I read urban fantasy author Jim Butcher’s full-throated recommendation of The Fantasy Fiction Formula by Deborah Chester that I knew I’d found the book for me. Turns out, Chester was his writing instructor at Oklahoma University. I expected the book to focus solely on fantasy. I was wrong. Chester shares solid writing principles that extend far beyond speculative fiction, making this a craft book that will benefit writers of any genre. After all, fantastical or not, every story must feel authentic.
The Fear Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to What Holds Characters Back
This thesaurus is the latest addition to the stellar writing guides created by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi—and it’s another winner. While it may be tempting to flip to the individual entries, writers seeking to create compelling characters should take time to mine the discussion of fear in the front of the book. Its explanation of the formative force of fear offers excellent insight into how it shapes your characters. It’s also a reminder that not all fears are equal—nor rational. Crafting a fight scene? Knowing how your character’s fight, flight, or freeze response will add veracity to any scene.
I personally found the section on “How Villains and Antagonist Use Fear” to be particularly revealing. The thesaurus entries offer a comprehensive breakdown of what the fear looks like, the internal struggles it causes, how it can disrupt the character’s life, where the fear may have originated, triggering behavior, and most importantly for a story arc, how the character can overcome it. This isn’t a book to read from cover to cover. Rather it’s best to dip in and out as your needs require.
Searching for inspiration?
Look no further than Stephen King’s On Writing and Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. Both books speak to the chaos and frustration that can accompany a life dedicated to writing, but lest you think either is a downer, both will leave you smiling, empowered and ready to tackle your writing! These two books are on almost every writer’s bookshelf for a reason!
Two craft books that take you from idea to completed novel
I started seriously writing while I held down a full-time job and was finishing my Medieval Studies degree at UCSB. I know what it’s like to snatch bits of time to write. That’s what I love about The Nighttime Novelist. Joseph Bates understands that few people have dedicated time or an office in which to craft their stories, let alone their magnum opus. Bates guides writers from idea through revision with kindness, insight, and plenty of great examples. Plus I’m a sucker for anything that comes in a binder that lays open and is punctuated with the occasional pullout page. I’ve had this book for sixteen years, and yes, I still return to certain flagged pages.
K.M. Weiland’s Structuring Your Novel is one I pick up when I’m working out a pacing issue or about to embark on revisions. The woman knows her structure. You may already know her from her wildly popular blog “Helping Writers Become Authors.” She breaks down structure so you can see the architecture of your story. This is one to read from cover to cover and then return to specific topics when you’re trying to determine where your story wandered into the weeds.
An unexpected delight
Chuck Palahniuk writes violent stories with an intense and unflinching gaze. While I’ve always appreciated his skill, his stories tend to be too graphic for me to enjoy. So when I first heard he had written a craft book for fiction writers, I shrugged and carried on with life.
Then I stumbled across it in a bookstore and read the title Consider This. So I did. Dear reader, I flipped through the book, and within a moment, concluded Palahniuk’s advice on writing was exactly the craft book I needed to read. The book jacket describes his book as a “blend of memoir and insight.” He shares a fair amount of hard-knock snippets from his life, along with the writing lessons he learned along the way. Many of the techniques are damn powerful. It also reminded me that to properly portray violence, you have to be sensitive enough to understand its impact and the repercussions it leaves in its wake. I’ve since followed his Substack: Chuck Palahniuk’s Plot Spoiler. He is generous with his advice, and as you might expect, his words can be brutally and exquisitely raw.
What should you read first? Whatever resonates–and you may not find your perfect craft book on my list of favorites. That is the wonder and beauty of art. And remember, the lessons you retain are the ones you put into practice.
I’m constantly on the prowl for ways to up my writing game. What craft books for writers would you add to the list?
Happy writing!