Would like some books on improving your writing...

James81 said:

I tend to be a sloppy writer. Posting a lot on different message boards without worrying about punctuation, grammar, or spelling has really spoiled me.

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Then force yourself to have perfect grammar in all means of communication. Proper writing is a habit.

James81 said:

I also find that I lack motivation to finish the projects I start. Unless it's a short story or a vignette piece or a blog entry, I can't bring myself together to finish a full length novel of any form.

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Writing is work, and anyone who tells you otherwise is supremely gifted or unpublished and unfinished. Put your butt in the chair and write.

(Also maybe you're just not a novel writer. But you have to finish one first to be able to really say it.)

James81 said:

Anyways, I'd like to read some books on improving my writing and finding ways to keep on task to finish what I start.

Any suggestions?

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What ElaraSophia said.

James81 said:

I also find that I lack motivation to finish the projects I start. Unless it's a short story or a vignette piece or a blog entry, I can't bring myself together to finish a full length novel of any form.

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Where do you get your motivation to start?

Dale

This book might aid you in getting your thoughts in order....

Characters & Viewpoint
By Orson Scott Card
Writer's Digest Books

(How to invent, construct, and animate vivid, credible characters and choose the best eyes through which to view the events of your short story or novel)

I 'won' it in a bid auction here on the AW and love it. I read different parts each day...many times over. Gives lots of food for thought.

Ditto on Characters & Viewpoint.

CACTUSWENDY said:

This book might aid you in getting your thoughts in order....

Characters & Viewpoint
By Orson Scott Card
Writer's Digest Books

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Agreed. He also wrote a really good book on Science Fiction and Fantasy. Though, as you may find out, (and Stephen King also says this in his book, On Writing) that most books on writing actually tell you next to nothing. They may be an interesting read, no doubt, but don't put too much faith in them. However, here are two books that you cannot fail with.

The Hero With a Thousand Faces
-Joseph Campbell

In this one, the reading's a little dense, so if you can't handle that sort of thing, this might not be the book for you. But definitely get a summary. Campbell explicates the process that has been used for all of writing, ever. He outlines the Hero's journey, using a number of steps, and examples from mythology. Definitely a good one. George Lucas admits to stealing his entire plot design from Campbell.

The Elements of Style
-William Strunk and E. B. White

While very, very small, this is not a book you would read all at once. Perhaps scan it first, and then refer to it whenever you're uncertain. It's all about sentence structure, proper use of grammar, and all-around good writing.

Hope this helps,

-giusti

For inspiration and motivation, my standard reference is Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird. Plus it's funny as hell.

There are tons of good books on craft. Orson Scott Card is good at explaining basic concepts, as is Nancy Kress. Go to one of the major bookstores and hang out in the Writing section for a while, skimming through the offerings until you find a craft/technique book in a style that suits you.

dempsey said:

Then force yourself to have perfect grammar in all means of communication. Proper writing is a habit.

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Sometimes an annoying habit - correct spelling and punctuation in a text message is a pain, but I just have to do it.

Ditto.

JimmyB27 said:

Sometimes an annoying habit - correct spelling and punctuation in a text message is a pain, but I just have to do it.

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