Essential Reading?

Twinguistics · May 12, 2010

So I finally began writing after a decade of procrastination and have written a few short stories (one of which is in SYW Thriller, check the link in my sig) but I’m wondering if there are any essential ‘How to…’ books that I should read.? After reading around this forum there seems to be a lot that I need to learn, and it has become very apparent to me that to succeed and be published you need to marry talent with knowledge of the craft.

Any recommendations would be great…

dgiharris · May 12, 2010

This subject comes up at least twice a month

here was the latest on it

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175801

and also, if you stick around this site (which I hope you do) then you will hear the Uncle Jim Thread mentioned.

In a nutshell, a very famous successful author put together a thread on getting that first novel written and published. Everything you ever wanted to know and more to include common mistakes, pitfalls, story writing, etc. etc.

The thread is huge and I recommend that you spend 15 minutes per day reading it. I made it through about half of it and it was a tremendous help to my writing.

good luck and hope this helps

Allen Guthrie’s 32 writing rules
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102594

Uncle Jim Undiluted Thread
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6710

Mel...

Twinguistics · May 12, 2010

That’s excellent, thanks…

Funnily enough, I read the 32 writing rules this morning (and found them most helpful) and will certainly start reading the Uncle Jim thread…

I certainly do plan on sticking around; if anything I think I’ll probably end up spending too much time on here!

Dr.Gonzo · May 12, 2010

Twinguistics said:
That’s excellent, thanks…

Funnily enough, I read the 32 writing rules this morning (and found them most helpful) and will certainly start reading the Uncle Jim thread…

I certainly do plan on sticking around; if anything I think I’ll probably end up spending too much time on here!

That can certainly happen...

stephenf · May 12, 2010

I would suggest you set-a-side as much time as you can, on as many days as you can and alternate between reading , any books on writing , works of fiction and other writers work ,who are looking for Critiques.Eventually you will start to become critical of the books on writing and you can see other writers good and bad techniques .When this place is reached, you will continue to read books on writing and never write anything useful or you will continue to read works of fiction and develop your own skills.

Dr.Gonzo · May 12, 2010

Wh^t a lovely avatar. Almost like a picture of being born.

RJK · May 12, 2010

Just to clarify, you should read Vol one of Uncle Jim's thread. I read the entire thread while lurking, then joined the forum. I've said it before, but it's worth repeating. Reading and following the exercises in Uncle Jim's thread is the equivalent of a post graduate course in fiction writing.

Click on the link above to find how-to books that will help you. and welcome to AW.

Jamesaritchie · May 12, 2010

As the old recipe for rabbit stew orders, "First, catch a rabbit."

Write before you get on this forum, before you do your reading for the day, and before whatever else you have to do each day exhausts you. If you write first, and make everything else secondary, you'll be way ahead of most who try writing.

As for essential reading, we each have our favorite how-to books, but I've never believed most how-to books, or most writing advice, is one size fits all. I always suggest reading whatever how-to books your favorite writers first. There's a reason you like the books those writers have published, and process does affect product. If you want to write books like they do, you need to know how they write them.

Then go to the library and read the entire 808 section. All of it. After this, start on the rest of the library.

Southern Girl · May 12, 2010

dgiharris said:
This subject comes up at least twice a month

here was the latest on it

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175801

and also, if you stick around this site (which I hope you do) then you will hear the Uncle Jim Thread mentioned.

In a nutshell, a very famous successful author put together a thread on getting that first novel written and published. Everything you ever wanted to know and more to include common mistakes, pitfalls, story writing, etc. etc.

The thread is huge and I recommend that you spend 15 minutes per day reading it. I made it through about half of it and it was a tremendous help to my writing.

good luck and hope this helps

Allen Guthrie’s 32 writing rules
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102594

Uncle Jim Undiluted Thread
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6710

Mel...

W.O.W.

Somehow I missed the Allen Guthrie thread - definitely a keeper. Thanks for this!

Twinguistics · May 13, 2010

Jamesaritchie said:
As the old recipe for rabbit stew orders, "First, catch a rabbit."

Write before you get on this forum, before you do your reading for the day, and before whatever else you have to do each day exhausts you. If you write first, and make everything else secondary, you'll be way ahead of most who try writing.

As for essential reading, we each have our favorite how-to books, but I've never believed most how-to books, or most writing advice, is one size fits all. I always suggest reading whatever how-to books your favorite writers first. There's a reason you like the books those writers have published, and process does affect product. If you want to write books like they do, you need to know how they write them.

Then go to the library and read the entire 808 section. All of it. After this, start on the rest of the library.

Ok, good stuff. That all makes sense....

Except the last bit, though I think you are joking. What's the 808 section?

bearilou · May 14, 2010

Jamesaritchie said:
Then go to the library and read the entire 808 section. All of it. After this, start on the rest of the library.

Best. Advice. Ever. :hooray:

Twinguistics · May 26, 2010

Ok, so I'm now thinking of getting The Elements of Style but one thing is bothering me - it's a guide to American English and I'm British...

What is the best English style guide out there?

BoldSpice · May 26, 2010

Look at the section on style guides on wikipedia. Anyway, you can read The Elements of Style - it's only short.

Rubicon · Jun 1, 2010

Dwight Swain's
Techniques of the selling writer

Great book about the nuts and bolts of fiction writing.

bearilou · Jun 1, 2010

HAWKEYE said:
Dwight Swain's
Techniques of the selling writer

Great book about the nuts and bolts of fiction writing.

This was the book that turned my writing around.

Essential Reading?

Twinguistics

Suits smart threads...

dgiharris

Disgruntled Scientist

Twinguistics

Suits smart threads...

Dr.Gonzo

Wonderfully Irreverent

stephenf

Dr.Gonzo

Wonderfully Irreverent

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

Jamesaritchie

Southern Girl

Prayer in a tango

Twinguistics

Suits smart threads...

bearilou

DenturePunk writer

Twinguistics

Suits smart threads...

BoldSpice

All writing is telling

Rubicon

bearilou

DenturePunk writer