I have decided to take a crack at this thing called writing. I have no hobbies, my golf game stinks, my legs won't let me take up jogging, and I hate playing tennis.
Besides, writing a book is a tough intellectual effort that will probably be very good for me!
I have little or no real expectation to ever get published ( although you never know what the future holds!) but I want to do a good job.
The reason for my post is to find titles for "how to " books that the group thinks is worthwhile. I have already read two by Card, and was hoping there may be others worthwhile, or perhaps some that you would advise I avoid.
I appreciate any thoughts you folks might have to offer!
Posted by Javert (Member # 3076) on :
"On Writing" by Stephen King. It's good reading even if you didn't want to start writing.
Posted by gums (Member # 9874) on :
One other request. When I go to the bookstore, it feels like I have read most of what is there.
I have a trip comming up and would love a good SciFi or fantasy book. Any recs along those lines?
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Strunk and White's The Elements of Style.
I just starting reading this yesterday, and I'm shocked by how helpful it is. I expected it to have a lot of dull, but useful information. Instead, it is both interesting and useful.
As for books I have an extensive library of writing books and these are the ones I most recommend:
Characters and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card. The essential writing book. This should be on every fiction writer's bookshelf.
Beginnings, Middles & Ends by Nancy Kress
Writing Fiction by Gotham Writers' Workshop. Thorough, excellent book. Covers all the basics.
Kings books is good, but its very basic, and some of his advice may not work for every writer. There are many more, and no one book is enough, IMO. I find that there is a value in regularly picking up a new one, or rereading another one because it helps me to contantly reassess my writing.
Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :
Do you want to write short stories or novels? If short stories, I recommend getting The Year's Best Science Fiction collection for your trip. A big book with loads of great short stories in it. And it's edited by the guy who edited Asimov's SF magazine for years, so if you ever want to get published you know what they're looking for.
And if you like old, classic SF better there's an anthology called The Science Fiction Hall of Fame which is the greatest short stories from the 20s to the 60s.
Don't know any good writing books though.
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
I tend to fall more into Pullum and Leiberman's camp, with a more descriptivist attitude than I used to. Strunk and White, from what I can tell, are fanatically prescriptivist, and sometimes the "rules" just don't fit how I want to construct a sentence.
But, to each his own, your mileage may vary, etc.
I'd still reccomend the Merriam-Webster, though.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Eaquae- For me, it's far more important that what I read keep my interest than it is that it be perfect in every particular. I can think of very few things I find less interesting than learning the particulars of grammar, that's why it has taken me years to read The Elements of Style.
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
quote:Originally posted by blacwolve: Strunk and White's The Elements of Style.
I just starting reading this yesterday, and I'm shocked by how helpful it is. I expected it to have a lot of dull, but useful information. Instead, it is both interesting and useful.