Helpful Books For Writers

One of the esteemed judges from the Hot Press Write Here, Write Now competition, Irish writer Lia Mills, has written a piece revealing the most helpful books for writers. Her first novel Another Alice was published in 1996. She has published three other major works: the novel Nothing Simple (2005), the memoir In Your Face (2007), and the 1916 inspired narrative Fallen (2014).

In the informative piece, she lists six essential publications to take note of that offer practical advice and support for established and budding writers. Enjoy.

Helpful Books For Writers.
By Lia Mills

People always want to know what writers have influenced you. Who’s your favourite author? they ask. What’s your favourite novel?

I find these questions impossible to answer, for reasons that might well bear discussion – some other time. Last week, at the Hot Press Write Here Write Now awards, I offered a list of practical books on writing-as-craft, as an alternative to my faulty favourite/influence response. But I got distracted and went off on a tangent instead. So here’s a short list of titles I’ve found helpful when I run aground, or in the later stages of rewriting and editing.

James Scott Bell The Art of War for Writers: fiction writing strategies, tactics, and exercises
The principles of Chinese general Sun Tzu adapted for writers. This (little, red) book offers aphoristic advice. The chapter headings alone amount to a rough guide to writing: ‘To survive over any length of time, you must turn any criticism into a strength.’ ‘An army travels on its stomach, so spear some fish.’ ‘Turn envy into energy and more words …’

Lawrence Block: Telling Lies for Fun and Profit
The title is a clue: this is a no-nonsense, fun and practical guide to matters such as: ‘He Said She Said’; ‘Never Apologize, Never Explain’; ‘Burning The Raft At Both Ends’; ‘Writing With Your Eyes Closed’.

Renni Browne and Dave King: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
Essential.

Anne Lamott: Bird by Bird: Some Notes on Writing and Life
Wise, comforting, practical and funny. This is especially good if you’re in the early stages of your writing life – or for all shades of black moments later. Take a break and go for coffee with Annie, it’ll restore your understanding of (and affection for) the weirdness that writers, of necessity, inhabit. At the very least, she’ll make you laugh at yourself. You’re only human.

Sol Stein: Stein on Writing
Sol Stein’s best advice (imo) is that writing is like sex: it should be good for both parties. But it doesn’t step there. His approach to understanding conflict and making trouble for your characters alone make this a guide worth keeping. Use it when your imagination gets sluggish.

Lynn Truss Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
Because these things matter – but they can be fun as well.

To see the list of winners of Write Here, Write Now click here.