Books for Writers, Resources for beginners & professionals |
 Mar 28 2008, 10:28 PM
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Official Singer of the Sorting Hat Song  Posts: 6,605 Joined: 3:12pm July 22, 2005 Location: Lost in Hermione's beaded bag    |
Well, I'm sure there's been talk of grammar books and style guides and such. If not, that can be added. What I'm talking about are those books that help guide the wouldbe storyteller along the way. And I'll start with three recommendations.
So, unless I've starting a topic that has been coverd elsewhere, I think I'll stop and ask what books of writerly wisdom others have found useful and comforting. (And I do think writers crave comfort and reassurance.) I suppose, if grammar and usage books aren't being covered elsewhere, they might be added. But I do wonder what good books there are out there about the construction of a good story and how to keep a reader's interest. Any recommendations? "That's not writing, that's typing." -Truman Capote 
-------------------- Come the words that bubble
Up through broken laughter, Sweeter than spring-water, "Gods, I am so happy!" |
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Mar 29 2008, 06:42 PM
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Eeylops Owl Cage Cleaner Posts: 242 Joined: 9:14pm April 4, 2006 |
Did Marie Shedlock write anything else?
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Apr 1 2008, 02:11 PM
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Shopping the sales rack at Madam Malkins Posts: 2,547 Joined: 4:26pm August 4, 2005 |
Here's another, quirkier suggestion: the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde, not exactly telling you how to write a novel (far from it), but a very entertaining discussion of all things literary re plots, character construction etc , especially The Well of Lost Plots
But surely, if you've read and analysed a large number of books, you have a pretty good idea of how they were written, what devices were used etc? Taking a book apart is one thing, putting one together again so that it transforms into a living, breathing organism rather than a dead thing is something else. It's writing skill, not technique, that makes for enjoyable books. Technique just makes for acceptable books. I've just finished reading an excellent book, Life of Pi by Yann Martel. It's a deceptively simple idea, beautifully-executed, but if you were a publisher and you were sent a short synopsis of the story, you'd wonder how the hell the writer was going to make such a bizarre premise work. It works because it has been written by a very good writer. This post has been edited by madamros: Apr 2 2008, 05:42 AM -------------------- "My idea of good company, Mr Elliott, is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company."
"You are mistaken," said he gently, "that is not good company, that is the best." Persuasion by Jane Austen |
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Apr 16 2008, 08:56 PM
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#4
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Fudge-Maker at Florean Fortescue's Posts: 2,223 Joined: 9:13pm February 18, 2005 Location: Snubbing the mortals |
QUOTE(davidenglish @ Mar 28 2008, 11:28 PM)  Well, I'm sure there's been talk of grammar books and style guides and such. If not, that can be added. What I'm talking about are those books that help guide the wouldbe storyteller along the way. And I'll start with three recommendations.
So, unless I've starting a topic that has been coverd elsewhere, I think I'll stop and ask what books of writerly wisdom others have found useful and comforting. (And I do think writers crave comfort and reassurance.) I suppose, if grammar and usage books aren't being covered elsewhere, they might be added. But I do wonder what good books there are out there about the construction of a good story and how to keep a reader's interest. Any recommendations? "That's not writing, that's typing." -Truman Capote Is there anything specific about these individual books that'd be worth knowing? Are some chapters more useful than others. I checked out The Art of Fiction from library and am struggling with it. Nothing particularly stands out to me at first glance. So I'm questioning were the value is within it. --------------------  |
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Apr 23 2008, 01:10 AM
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#5
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Official Singer of the Sorting Hat Song Posts: 6,605 Joined: 3:12pm July 22, 2005 Location: Lost in Hermione's beaded bag |
QUOTE(Aphrodites Lady @ Apr 17 2008, 02:56 AM) Is there anything specific about these individual books that'd be worth knowing? Are some chapters more useful than others. I checked out The Art of Fiction from library and am struggling with it. Nothing particularly stands out to me at first glance. So I'm questioning were the value is within it. I'm not sure what you mean? Gardner certainly is good at discussing the art of the sentence, character and plot. He doesn't offer a magic formula, just an idea as to how one creates the impression of living characters in action.The Fiction Editor by Thomas McCormack is also a wonderful book. -------------------- Come the words that bubble
Up through broken laughter, Sweeter than spring-water, "Gods, I am so happy!" |
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Apr 24 2008, 12:26 PM
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#6
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Severus Snape's Personal Assistant  Posts: 2,269 Joined: 11:44pm November 29, 2005 Location: In the Hogwarts kitchen eating cookies. |
For you screenwriters out there I thought this book was great. It's a good read even if you don't write for film. Which Lie Did I Tell? by William Goldman.
Also, even though this isn't a book, I find it very resourceful: The Writer Magazine edit: There's also this book. Making a Good Script Great. We used that in school and it helped me out a lot. This post has been edited by Overcast: Apr 24 2008, 12:30 PM --------------------  W.L.Y.J. We love you Jo |
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Apr 24 2008, 04:58 PM
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Daily Prophet Photographer  Posts: 866 Joined: 7:26pm June 10, 2005 Location: Curled up on the sofa with coffee, my dog, and Harry Potter |
Although this book, How to Read Literature Like a Professor (Thomas C. Foster), is about reading rather than writing, I think any novice writer could learn from it as well. It's informative and entertaining.
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Apr 25 2008, 09:41 AM
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#8
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Gambol and Japes' Research Department Posts: 1,352 Joined: 1:22am January 6, 2005 Location: In the Kitchen |
Ooh - Thanks Overcast ~ That William Goldman one looks great! (I'd be interested in reading it even if I wasn't working on Screenplays, I love Goldman!)
A book that I have found helpful is Everything I Know about Writing by John Marsden John's an Aussie author who wrote a seven part series, mainly aimed at an adolescent audience that developed a huge following from fans of all ages (sound like someone else we know of?  ) Actually he has written many books, but that series had a major affect on me, and many others - QUOTE In Sweden, the first title was selected as the world's most likely book to inspire young people to read, prompting 100,000 free copies to be released for distribution among Swedish young people My Mother bought the first two books for my nephews 12th birthday, and since I always read whatever the children were reading, a) to make sure they were suitable and b) because I liked being able to talk to them about it, I started to read them. They are not "light reading" by any standard, but I read both of them that day and through the night - honestly, I couldn't put them down! - and first thing the next morning I raced to the Bookstore before work to buy the next three, and waited with major anticipation until the sixth, and complete agony for the seventh. (again I ask: Sound familiar?)They aren't fantasy, and they are quite difficult, emotionally, but I would recommend them to any older teen and adult. The first book is called "Tomorrow, When the War Began" and the series is collectively called the Tomorrow Series All rather OT I know, but I admit to being biased on the topic! Prior to his writing career John was a teacher, and his book on writing is very well done. He also holds writing camps on his estate outside of Melbourne, I called to get information about the camps because I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity for my Nephew and my Daughter, and spoke to his PA for quite a while, asking if he also held any classes for adults, he did, but only day seminars etc, so not much help for me, being in another State. When the information package arrived, I was surprised to see that she had sent added information about an inaugural "Writer's Conference", to be held the following January. ("Sorry Kids! I'll think of something else to get you for Christmas," said I.) It wasn't cheap, but was an amazing experience - I have mentioned it in another thread, so I apologise to anyone reading about it again.) Those who attended were each assigned to an editor from a major publishing house (Random House, Pan Macmillan, Penguin - to name a few) and had to send our Manuscript to them at least 6 weeks prior to the conference. Over the weekend, in between some great classes with John, other published authors, and a prominent screen writer, we had an hour one on one session with our assigned editor, and pitch sessions with all of the other authors. (For those we were in groups of 5, and we each had 20 minutes to pitch our book, they were great and I think we all got a lot better as the weekend progressed!) The one on one was terrifying - especially since mine was first up, just after the welcome speech and lunch! Walking into that room and seeing my pages with post-it notes all over it, with all of her suggestions, edits and ideas was so surreal. Luckily she was a doll, and a perfect fit for my manuscript! (I had visions of her saying "Who the hell do you think you are? You can't write!" and being stuck there for another 3 days!!) Also, because it was all at John's home, there were some incredible 'after hours classes' - just being able to sit around and talk with all these different authors and editors about the process of what to after the book is written was invaluable, and of course just making those contacts and knowing that if I ever get this bloody book finished I can send it straight to a senior editor is an incredible feeling! The first one was such a success that he started holding 2 or 3 a year, but his main passion was always teaching and he has started a new school which this year has about 100 students, ranging from prep to 9th grade - I checked the website a few weeks ago and as a result of his work at the school, all of the camps and conferences are currently on hold. But any Aussie authors, keep an eye on his website (here) - and if they start up again, jump at the chance! Does anyone know of other conferences, classes etc that are available? I haven't found anything simillar to the one I went to, and it was just such a brilliant concept. Lilly --------------------  "The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it." |
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Apr 25 2008, 03:34 PM
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#9
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Monster Book Stacker Posts: 394 Joined: 8:52am November 7, 2006 |
I recently took a story writing class at college and I found Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft by Janet Burroway to be really helpful.
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Apr 25 2008, 04:23 PM
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#10
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Ron Weasley's #2 squeeze  Posts: 2,796 Joined: 11:00pm July 13, 2007 Location: Ottery St. Catchpole  |
QUOTE(Essence_of_Insanity @ Apr 25 2008, 04:34 PM) I recently took a story writing class at college and I found Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft by Janet Burroway to be really helpful. We used that book for our writing class, too. It is very helpful. --------------------  Win-gar-dium Levi-o-sa Ron Weasley: He Does it Anyway. |
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