5 Books Every Writer Should Read
the ultimate reading list for debut writers
Folks, this week I’ve been thinking a lot about resources for writers. There is so much fantastic content on the internet for writers, from newsletters to social media posts that you can collect and add to your digital library, but if you’re like me, you might like a good ol’ book that you can hold and reference and put up on your library shelf to revisit.
So here are my recommendations for books every writer should read!
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Anne Lamott’s book is like a warm hug for writers. Lamott’s encouragement to write shitty first drafts will always stick with me. This book is perfect for the perfectionists out there who are just trying to get through their first draft. Lamott also shares her wisdom on writing plot, character and dialogue. I’ve seen this book recommended by writers, professors, editors, and agents— because it’s that good!
Story by Robert McKee
I was assigned this book in a screenwriting workshop during my undergraduate degree, and I still swear by this book. This book is the perfect resource to understand structure, plot, stakes, and tension. There’s so much wisdom to carry from screenwriting to novel writing, especially when it comes to setting a scene and moving the plot along. This book is a masterclass in what makes a story and character stick with an audience.
Refuse to be Done by Matt Bell
A lot of the work when it comes to writing is actually rewriting and revising. I’m a firm believer in just getting your first draft out there and then doing the hard work from there, and this book is for those of you out there who agree with me on that. Refuse to Be Done a very practical guide that takes you from the first step (putting your butt in the chair) to the last step (completed revisions).
Before and After the Book Deal by Courtney Maum
This book is a fantastic resource about everything that comes after writing. It’s the ultimate industry book. It breaks down publishing from querying to promoting your book. It’s an amazing guide for authors interested in the business of being an author. It’s a must-read for writers on their publishing journey.
100 Ways to Improve Your Writing by Gary Provost
Having a book by Gary Provost is essential. I find that this one encompasses so much of the main elements of some of his other reference/writing books in an easily digestible format. His advice is useful, straight to the point, and easy to follow. Yes, he gives some practical advice on how to improve a story that you can get in other books on this list, but he also provides tips on improving your writing on a line-level, which can be applied to all written work and not just fiction.
I hope these books stick with you like they have stuck with me!
