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Then people started recommending books about craft and style, and I have to say: they’re game changers. I’ve picked my favourite seven to share with you, but there are so many more out there packed with advice to help you develop more authentic characters, find the best structure for your story, and build the kind of narrative momentum that keeps readers hooked.
These books have been a major help. I can honestly say they guided me through countless creative roadblocks and given me practical tools to improve my writing and routine.
1. Stephen King’s On Writing: A Masterclass in Novel Writing
Part memoir, part instruction manual, King’s On Writing is a blend of practical advice and personal anecdotes. It’s refreshingly direct—he shares what worked for him and stresses that writing is hard work, not a mystical gift. “You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will,” King assures his readers. His focus on discipline and simplicity makes this a cornerstone for any aspiring novelist.
‘The scariest moment is always just before you start.’
Takeaways:
- The value of a consistent writing routine
- The importance of cutting unnecessary words
- The benefit of writing simply and clearly
2. Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird: Essential Writing Advice for Novelists
Anne Lamott’s classic is as much about the emotional process of writing as the craft itself. She encourages writers to embrace imperfection, find joy in small steps, and never shy away from the messy first drafts. Her famous line, “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts,” is comforting and empowering. Lamott’s approach reminds me that writing is a human endeavour, and the only way to finish a novel is to keep moving forward—bird by bird.
‘You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.’
Takeaways:
- How to face the fear of the blank page
- The importance of embracing bad first drafts
- How small, steady progress leads to big results
3. Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style: Writing Prose for Novels
Although not specifically about novel writing, this concise guide remains essential for anyone who values clarity and elegance in their prose. Its emphasis on cutting unnecessary words and writing with purpose is a lesson every novelist needs to internalise. “Vigorous writing is concise,” Strunk and White declare, and that lesson alone has helped me strengthen my own work.
‘Omit needless words.’
4. Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art: Battling Resistance in Writing
While not a how-to guide, The War of Art tackles the mindset every writer faces: resistance. Pressfield’s insights on overcoming self-doubt and procrastination resonate deeply. He reminds us that writing is a professional discipline, not just a creative impulse. “The more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more resistance we will feel toward pursuing it,” Pressfield explains. This book helps me stay focused and push past the inevitable barriers that arise during the long journey of writing a novel.
‘Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work. It will perjure. It will falsify; it will tell you you’re too old, too young, too busy.’
- How to face creative resistance head-on
- The importance of turning writing into a daily discipline
- Why treating your writing like a job helps you push through doubts
5. Robert McKee’s Story: Structuring Your Novel with Purpose
McKee's guide is a must for novelists who want to deepen their understanding of structure and storytelling principles. Although aimed primarily at screenwriters, Story delves into character arcs, conflict, and the importance of every scene serving the story’s ultimate purpose. “Story is about principles, not rules,” McKee emphasises, and those principles can guide novelists to craft narratives that resonate on a profound level.
‘Write every day, line by line, page by page, hour by hour. Do this despite the fact that no-one is waiting for it, no-one wants it. You cannot wait for someone to need your work. You must become a man or woman who writes.’
6. Ursula K. Le Guin’s Steering the Craft: Refining Your Novel’s Style
Le Guin’s practical and thoughtful guide to the craft of writing has become a modern classic. Focusing on technique, style, and the finer details of prose, Steering the Craft challenges writers to think deeply about their choices on every page. “Craft enables art,” Le Guin writes. Her exercises and insights are invaluable for developing strong, intentional prose that tells a story and sings.
‘There are no right answers to the questions of what and how to write. There is no shortage of wrong ones.’
7. Noah Lukeman’s The First Five Pages: Staying Out of the Rejection Pile
Lukeman’s guide is about making those critical early pages as compelling as possible. Covering everything from style and tone to plot and character introduction, this book is a no-nonsense, practical resource for ensuring that the beginning of your novel hooks readers—and agents. Lukeman emphasises the importance of clarity, suggesting that even the most minor issues in the opening can lead to rejection. “The most accomplished writers use as few words as possible,” he advises, underlining the importance of every choice you make from the very start.
‘The first five pages are where you either engage the reader or lose them entirely.’
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