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Why You Should Read Books About Writing
In this post, we discuss why you should read books about writing.
If you have been reading my posts over the last few months you will know that The Discipline Fairy passed me by.
As a consolation to my writer self, I sometimes excuse myself from writing by reading books about writing. I find this little exercise very helpful. Even if it is just another form of procrastination. Procrastination seems to be an important part of my writing process.
Why You Should Read Books About Writing
Writing books help me to get out of some very discouraging places. They also give me another project to work on.
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I received Judy Reeves’ A Writer’s Book of Days
as a birthday gift last year and I have been lugging it around in my handbag ever since. Each day has a different prompt and she has a no-nonsense approach to the process. The prompts give me a break and something other than my novel to think about. The exercises also make great fodder when I want to write a short story.
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Stephen King’s On Writing
is another favourite and I try to read it at least once a year. I don’t have to read the whole book, but I reread the Toolbox as a refresher as often as I can.
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I have read The Artist’s Way: 25th Anniversary Edition
by Julia Cameron and I did enjoy it, but it wasn’t my favourite. Stream of consciousness writing drives me mad. My consciousness needs boundaries, but I do know people who have changed their lives after working through it.
by Julia Cameron and I did enjoy it, but it wasn’t my favourite. Stream of consciousness writing drives me mad. My consciousness needs boundaries, but I do know people who have changed their lives after working through it.There are a myriad writing books out there and some are better than others. Although they almost all say the same thing. Repetition works and I like to think it’ll sink in eventually.
Rereading these books at different times of my life also gives me a new understanding. It’s great reading a piece and realising I’ve learnt to do it a certain way or seeing some advice that I finally understand and can apply to my own writing.
It certainly is a step-by-step process, but as much as I enjoy leafing through my favourites, I have to stop reading them and start writing again.
TIP: If you want help, buy The Novel Writing Exercises Workbook.
by Mia Botha
If you enjoyed this post, you will love:
- The Three Surprises You Need In A Story
- So You Want To Be A Writer?
- Identify Your Protagonist And Antagonist
TIP: If you want help, buy The Novel Writing Exercises Workbook.
Posted on: 15th January 2014
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9 thoughts on “Why You Should Read Books About Writing”
Great post! I also like Stephen King’s “On Writing.” It’s one of those books I like to pick up and browse when I feel the need for some inspiration. I’ve also read some of “The Artist’s Way,” when I borrowed it from the library. Not one of my favorites, either. It’s interesting that I received this post in my e-mail today, because I’ve just been writing a guest blog post, and in it I mention some of my favorite books about writing! Four of them are by Natalie Goldberg. Have you read any of hers? I write memoir, so they particularly speak to me. There’s a few others, but I don’t want to go on and on! 🙂
I think Stephen King’s “On Writing” is the best book about writing. I, too, have read “The Artist’s Way” but it didn’t do as much for me.
I just got Lisa Cron’s “Wired for Story” from the library a few weeks ago. It was so fascinating and helpful that I read it straight through twice. I’m definitely going to have to pick up my own copy for reference.
Thanks for the suggestions. I will be making an effort to get my hands on them.
I found Julia Cameron’s The Right to Write much better than The Artist’s Way. My favorite craft books are by Sol Stein, but Writers Book of Days is probably third on that list along with Writing Down the Bones. 🙂
On Writing also one of my favourites.
Nice article Mia. I liked Stephen King’s On Writing too, although my writing is more stream of consciousness, inspired by Jack Kerouac. In my last book, XaW Files: Beyond Humanity, available on Amazon (Prime), I combined my real time writing process with the fiction that materialised. Hopefully it provides an addition to the ‘how to write’ field and an entertaining story in one.
Thank you, Dr Latham. That sounds interesting, I will have to check it out.
Thanks Mia.
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