Ever wonder what the best books on writing are?
The prospect of becoming a successful writer excites a lot of people.
Being a writer may not have the same prestige compared to that of becoming a doctor or lawyer, and quite frankly, some folks do not even look at it as a legitimate profession. But it can be as rewarding as any other career.
To succeed in writing means you will have to go through some rough waters. It requires commitment and effort on top of the innate talent of putting thoughts into words.
While doctors and lawyers learn their trade by going to school, aspiring writers do not have that luxury. But there is a treasure trove of knowledge and learning from books, which incidentally are written by people who you want to emulate.
There are gazillions of books that touch the subject of writing, and every single one out there will help you hone your talent.
You may be a neophyte, but you will soon realize how far you can go once you start reading the right books.
It is true that reading alone does not make you become a great writer, but imagine the wealth of information you obtain once you have the proper guidance.
You do not have to go through the burden of figuring out which books should you focus on. I already did that for you.
These books are a small percentage of what is readily available out there, but I bet my life on this list.
Write. Publish. Repeat – Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant
This book deserves cult status. A would-be writer who fails to read this masterpiece is missing out on something that could be career-defining.
The book digs in on the business of writing. It is something you cannot dare skip if you wish to do a lucrative business out of your writing skills.
It is a step-by-step guide on self-publishing that will help you learn the ropes of monetizing your book. Unlike similar books, this one is a definite hit because the advice is handed out in conversational style.
The Elements of Style – William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White
You cannot be a professional writer without going through the pages of “The Elements of Style.” It is like a manual for aspiring writers who want to make it big by adopting a writing style that piques readers’ interests.
The book offers practical advice on how you can improve your writing style.
The fact that it is the only “writing style” guide that appeared on a bestseller list says a lot about its value to people who choose a career in writing.
Zen in the Art of Writing – Ray Bradbury
This book is a collection of several essays that focus on injecting creativity in the way you write. I was not overly enthusiastic about this book at first, but it grew on me over time.
It is one of those rare occasions where you get inspired in improving how you write every single time to read the book. Bradbury is a legitimate authority when it comes to professional advice for aspiring fiction writers.
Bird by Bird – Anne Lamott
The author is as versatile as they come – having written several novels and is likewise a renowned nonfiction writer. Although Anne Lamott is known for a handful of bestsellers, I believe that “Bird by Bird” is by far the most influential of her works.
She goes into the details about becoming a writer out of scratch. This is the book you need when you want to start from the beginning and learn from there.
Her insights are invaluable, and the book is one of the few out there that bothers to tackle the smallest details in writing.
On Writing – Stephen King
You probably did not expect Stephen King to be in this list, but here he is, providing another spectacle in the form of a half-guidebook and half-memoir.
We know the man for his fiction, but this one is more on the factual side. King is rightfully an authority considering his success in his genre.
In the book “On Writing,” he talks about his journey as a writer. He is quite frank in teaching would-be writers about discipline and avoiding procrastination as much as possible.
How to Write Bestselling Fiction – Dean Koontz
The title of this book gives you the best preview on what to expect from it.
It is a guidebook for ambitious fiction writers. It starts by saying that having the knack to tell stories is not enough to publish a bestselling novel.
Written in 1981, this is one of those “old but gold” guidebooks that tackle every tenet of fiction writing.
Naked, Drunk, and Writing – Adair Lara
There is more to this book than the catchy title.
The author has extensive experience as a writer, editor, and teacher, which makes up for the perfect recipe for someone to teach you how to write a book.
This guide focuses on helping people tell their story and figure out how to move on by monetizing it. Lara’s take on a writing guide includes dealing with distractions and issues, as well as learning how to find the best agent.
The Associated Press Stylebook. – The Associated Press
AP Style is a staple of every writer’s education. It is universally recognized as the most comprehensive guide for technical writing style.
Although it is usually embraced by journalists, news writers, and public relations professionals, it still is a valuable piece of information for aspiring writers as it tackles in detail the rules that govern correct grammar and spelling.
Becoming a successful writer is no walk in the park. It would not be stretch to say that it is a painstaking process, part of which is reading a ton of material to correct bad habits and common mistakes.
But the work you put in will reward you with something beyond your imagination. Being a writer is no longer just about passion these days; it can also make you a lot of money.
Story Genius – Lisa Cron
This book breaks tradition. While I have read a ton of writing guides that talk about taking advantage of my creativity and natural talent in writing, “Story Genius” delves on the role of cognitive storytelling. Lisa Cron talks about scientific strategies to maximize one’s ability to write something extraordinary – one that creates the potential of becoming a bestseller.
Joel Mark Harris graduated from the Langara School of Journalism in 2007. Joel is an award-winning journalist, novelist, screenwriter and producer.
He has ghostwritten numerous books in all types of genres including true life crime, business, memoir, and self help. With over 1,000 blog posts to his name, he has helped hundreds of business owners scale their business and increase their visibility. You can email him at info@ghostwritersandco.com
