We asked some of Author A.I.’s founding authors to share the books about writing they turn to when they need a boost …
On Writing by Stephen King
1 “I stumbled upon Stephen King’s On Writing late in my career, and so while King offers some very basic, but extremely crucial pointers for aspiring writers, for me, it helped me remember why I write, pushing me toward a more visceral experience that ultimately enriched my writing.”
— New York Times bestselling author Tanya Anne Crosby
Write Naked by Jennifer Probst
2 “Write Naked by Jennifer Probst is great. It’s perfect for new or experienced authors and is packed with lessons on craft, inspiration and writing life.”
— New York Times bestselling romance author Alessandra Torre
Creating Character Arcs and Outlining Your Novel by K.M. Weiland
3 “K.M. Weiland‘s outlining and character ‘how to’ books are great. I recommend them to aspiring authors all the time.”
— Annette Marie, author of epic urban fantasy
Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
4 “Stein on Writing by Sol Stein was one of several books I read while writing my first novel. It gave me wonderful insight on writing a good, compelling story.”
— New York Times bestselling thriller author Cheryl Bradshaw
How to Write a Damn Good Novel by James Frey
5 “I suggest you begin with James Frey’s How to Write a Damn Good Novel. Frey was my instructor at the Squaw Valley Community of Writers back in the day. In How to Write …, he explores such subjects as point of view, escalating narrative tension, conflict in dialogue and other indispensable tricks of the trade.”
— Amazon bestselling thriller author J.D. Lasica (read more of his favorites at jdlasica.com)
Works by Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer
6 “I disappear into a book by Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer and it immediately transports me into the Regency world. Once I start writing, I can’t read anything to do with the Regency. But to get me in the zone it’s perfect!”
— Audrey Harrison, Amazon bestselling author of Regency Romance novels
12 more of the writing books we love
- Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird
- Shawn Coyne’s The Story Grid
- Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones
- Plot by Ansen Dibell
- Scene and Structure by Jack M. Bickham
- Characters and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card plus his How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy
- Theme & Strategy by Ronald B. Tobias (he also wrote 20 Master Plots)
- Conflict, Action & Suspense by William Noble
- Oakley Hall’s The Art & Craft of Novel Writing
How about you? Which books on novel writing taught you a lot? Which ones do you still go back to?
