Wednesday 7 March 2012

Reading About Writing

Before ACID sold, I didn’t tell many people I was a writer, never mind a writer who was trying to get published (you can read more about that here). The only people who read my stories were my husband and then my agent. And a combination of my shyness about sharing my work and tight finances meant going on courses was pretty much out of the question.

But I wanted to learn to write better. I needed to learn to write better. So I turned to writing books. While no book can ever provide you with a formula for success – I firmly believe that there is no ‘right’ way to write, only the way that’s right for you – reading about how other people solve their writing dilemmas is a great way to work out how to solve yours. These books are my favourites, the ones that helped and inspired me the most on my journey to becoming a published writer, and that continue to help and inspire me today.


Stephen King - On Writing
(New English Library, 2001)
I’m a huge King fan anyway – I read IT when I was thirteen, and have been hooked ever since – so when this book came out, I snapped it up. If you’re looking for precise instructions on how to query agents or structure your plots, this may not be the book for you, but with generous handfuls of autobiography thrown in, it provides a fascinating insight into the way this celebrated author works.


Sol Stein - Stein On Writing
(St Martin's Griffin, 2000)
This is much more nuts-and-bolts stuff. Sol Stein is an author, poet and playwright, who’s also edited writers like Dylan Thomas, Jack Higgins and W.H Auden. In this book, which he descibes as "…not a book of theory… a book of useable solutions…" he takes you through different techniques to make your writing work. Better than that, he shows you how to make it come to life and grab your readers by the throat. It also covers what he calls the ‘triage’ method for revising, which is one of the most useful ways of revising I’ve ever come across.


Mary O’Hara - Novel-In-The-Making
(David McKay Company, 1954)

Mary O’Hara is another writer I’ve loved from a young age, ever since I read MY FRIEND FLICKA - still one of my favourite books ever. Novel-In-The-Making, described as a self-portrait of an author at work, deals with the creation of her adult novel, THE SON OF ADAM WYNGATE, and is one of the most fascinating looks at an author’s writing process I’ve ever come across. It reads like a novel itself, and the description of her workstation on pages 106-7, with pigeonholes for “…paper, carbons, finished chapters, discards etc…” is just wonderful


 Robert McKEE - Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting
(Methuen, 1999)

For me, this is The Book. The one that quite literally turned my writing around. When I first started writing seriously, I kept coming up against the same problem: my plots either went round in circles, or fizzled out altogether. There was something I just wasn’t getting, but I couldn’t work out what, and I couldn’t find anything or anyone who could tell me. Then, one day, I saw an article in a magazine about McKee’s book. The library where I worked at the time happened to have a copy in, so I borrowed it. It was a revelation. Don’t be mislead by the title - there is very little in this book which relates specifically to screenwriting. Instead, it demystifies what makes a story work. It’s hardcore stuff – I had to take notes as I read it, and it was a good year before what I learnt from it really started to sink in. But it was worth every minute I spent poring over it, trying to understand what McKee was telling me. I re-read STORY at least once a year, and every time I do, I get something new from it.

What about you? Which writing books do you turn to for help and inspiration?

23 comments:

  1. Ooh I haven't read any of these. I must get hold of the Stephen King one, I keep meaning to read it.

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    1. It's a greeat read, Viv. Hope you enjoy it!

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  2. Thanks foe these - I've seen the McKee book and been put off by the screenwriting label. Must try it.

    I still refer to Dorothea Brande 'Becoming a Wrtier,' David Lodge 'The Art of Fiction', and James Wood 'How Fiction Works.'

    I agree that there is no 'one' right way to tackle writing, but books can help you to tease out what might be holding you back.

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    1. You're welcome, Jo. And definitely don't be put off by the screenwriting label - it is a seriously amazing book!

      I've heard good things about Dorothea Brande's book - I must try it!

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  3. Hi Emma
    I think I may have to investigate your recommendations.
    Bram Stoker's Dracula was one of the first books that inspired me to write. I say this because I remember thinking what a lovely rhythm two particular lines had and I went on to write a poem based on them called The Patient. I entered it into the Hastings Poetry Festival (I didn't live there) and it was highly commended. It was the first time I had submitted anything to competition. I still have the poem and the book.
    The Only Way Is Up, Carole Matthews, will remain special to me. The first chapter clearly demonstrates how to write a great opening chapter and how to maintain pace. I still refer to this when writing my first chapters.
    My 'proper' reference book is Sue Moorcroft's Love Writing, which is not only informative, but full of humour, which makes learning a joy.
    Laura x

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  4. Brilliant choices, Laura! I didn't include any fiction titles because this post would have been about a million words long, but you learn just as much, if not more, from reading great novels.

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  5. The only one of these I've read is On Writing - which is an excellent book. Stephen King has such an engaging voice, it's very easy to get along with him. I've never really thought of turning to a text book for help with writing, though. I've always thought that reading a lot of fiction gives a good enough insight into how story works and although I might feel tempted by your reccommendation of the McKee book, I'd be slightly worried that it might tempt me to change the way I write . . . although some people might not think that's a bad thing!

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    1. You're right, Dan - reading loads of fiction is definitely the best way to learn about writing and storytelling. I was struggling to decode the fiction I read, though, and books like STORY helped me to understand *why* those plots were working when mine weren't.

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  6. I also loved King as a teen, not read much recently but that book sounds very interesting, I must get a copy to look through, not that I think i will ever become a writer (apart from blog stuff) but you never know.

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    1. It's fascinating, Gem. I think anyone would enjoy it, writer or not (I mean, it's Stephen King!!).

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  7. Thanks for the craft book suggestions -- I've read the King book only of the ones you mentioned. I've also learned along the way, with a few of my favorites being "Writing Fiction, A Guide to the Narrative Craft" Ed. by Janet Burroway; The Plot Whisperer by Martha Alderson; and I just recently read an essay by Ann Patchett that I really loved called "The Getaway Car." So good! Great post, Emma!

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    1. Thank you, Julia! Your suggestions sound great too, especially the essay by Ann Patchett. I'll have to check it out.

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  8. Ooh... I love books on writing, and I haven't read some of these. Just read Brenda Ueland, 'If you want to write', which was in the Dorothea Brande school and era - good on writing, but such a shame someone didn't edit out the one or two instances of casual racism which make it less likable for the modern reader.

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    1. I've always loved writing books too, Jenny. It's always fascinating to read about something I'm so obsessed with myself!

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  9. What a lovely list Emma. I really admire your focussed attitude and approach to continually wanting to improve. As for my slap dash methods, the only writing book I have ever read was one you lent me (aren't I bad?) But, I do find myself completely inspired by other writers' work and often go away and think about how they achieved what they did, what devices they harnessed, what makes their work so appealing. I think this is where I really learn from other writers.

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    1. Thanks, Abi! :) I guess do sound pretty focussed, don't I?! In reality, it's been lots of small steps and dead-ends and muddling along… but these books definitely helped on the many, many occasions when I didn't know what to do next (and still do!).

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  10. Fab post Emma, I love On Writing - I think it has to be my favourite writing book and Story is invaluable!

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    1. Thank you, Jesse! Great to meet another STORY fan. :)

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  11. Every year I pick a writing book to follow me through the entire year. I've only started last year so I don't have many. This year I'm reading "The Fire in Fiction" by Donal Maass
    Out of your list here though, I'm only familiar with the Stephen King's one. I should check out the others just in case :)

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  12. ON WRITING is my favourite, Emma. I just love how it's somehow both a manual and a novel.

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  13. Akoss, having a writing book to take you through the year sounds like a great idea. And I've heard good things about THE FIRE IN FICTION - I'll have to check it out!

    Elsie, that's exactly what I love about it too! (But then you are my writing twin, so it's no surprise really! :))

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  14. King's books, along with Ann(e?) Lamott's 'Bird by Bird' helped me enormously. Like you, I didn't have the money for courses and relied on resources to help me improve.

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    1. Thanks, Talli. BIRD BY BIRD is another writing book I've heard people praise - I'll have to look out for it. Some great suggestions in these comments!

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