“If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or tools to write” as stated by Stephen King.
Writing is not just a talent you are born with, but you need to bread and raise it at every level. So we bring some of the books every writer should read, to learn the craft, equip with the terminologies and enrich yourself for more insightful works ahead. As a writer, it is of utmost importance to form a unique narrative and reading would be your panacea for every quest. Writing is an odyssey from inert to tranquil, from unconscious to latent, it is a journey which is described more by the reader than the writer could ever narrate. Reading books help in streamlining and synchronizing thoughts, ideas and opinions. For the reader learns more than the writer writes through his experiences in the book.
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Some of the Books Every Writer Should Read include:
1- On Writing: A Memoir of The Craft; By Stephen King
This is an illuminating work of literature, for any aspiring writer. It is a revealing and practical view of a writers craft, explaining the tools of the trade every writer must possess. Part memoir, this classic is a vivid journey from King’s childhood through his professional failure and near fatal accident. Only to be inspired to write his way to recovery. It is a brilliant piece of writing, amazingly structured and most elegantly styled. Everyone who reads through the book until the last word, would be inspired to write. Extremely indulging and connecting book, which progresses word by word, you are totally absorbed and assimilated into the writing. Know some basics for being a writer, from none other than the best selling author himself. His highlights being the protocols and guidelines for grammar and most importantly, to be a seasoned and prolific writer one must form a discipline of writing. He has worded an intense piece of non fiction which will inspire generation into the craft.
2- The Chicago Manual of Style:
This is a style guide for American English. Everyone from writers to publishers to editors have been using the insights from this writers bible. It is an authoritative and trusted source for reflecting and inspiring from over a century. The wealth of industry expertise is exhibited in its vast insights through 16 successful editions. It is an invaluable resource which is advancing with the additions from the trade. When you navigate through all the 16 editions, you would be enthralled by how structured and current its ideas are. The recent edition being the most digital in its concept and essence, stating how electronic publishing standards have evolved. A major reference book for any writer’s library, which has an edge over any other book, its legacy of over 100 years. It helps in formulating style and structure for any budding writer. Most publishing houses need their writers to conform to the CM or the Chicago manual.
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3- Bird by Bird: Some instructions on Writing and Life; by Anne Lamott:
This is an offbeat wisdom from the author on how to write. It is a step by step guide on how to begin and master the art of writing. Inspired by her fathers “words of wisdom” for his younger brother, to write bird by bird; Anne has mastered all the aspects for a write-up. Love, faith, belief and jealousy, fear to torment; Anne has penned a simple and insightful guide for budding as well as seasoned writers. She insists on finding your writing marvels from your passionate inner voice. Her stories and memoirs from her own experiences and her life, are so holistically drafted, and humanizing the actual day to day process of writing. She has covered the emotions that go deep into a writing, so brilliantly that the reader finds an instant connect from the word go. This is a piece, you must read and read and again some read; for the continuous motivation and revolutionizing effects from every time you finish reading it.
4- Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within; by Natalie Goldberg
With insights, humor and practicality, Natalie inspires the writers to write skillfully and creatively. Her suggestions, encouragement and advices are invigorating for writer of any stature to simply get inspired. Her book helps in self-analysis, self-discovery, self-realization and self-acceptance, with her brief and poignant chapters. This book transcends the essence of writing to more for inspirations in dealing with problems and difficulties in life. Her encouragement through 6 rules of writing is less intimidating and more uplifting than anything else. She has the ingredients that will make you quit thinking and start writing.
5- The Elements of Style; by William Strunk Jr
This is a prescriptive American English writing style guide. It is a definitive text and classic manual on principles of the English language. This is a marvelous and timeless piece of art. Writing crisp, clear and correct English is the essential for any writer. This book is known for most lucid and persistent little volume. His writings are exuberant and whimsical finding utmost relevance from the early 19th century until now. This book largely emphasizes on improving writing skills by promoting plain English style. It definitely is a guide for people who wish to get a short, crisp and to the point guide for the rules of writing. Make your sentences short, avoid detail and derail from the essence and treat subjects only in outline, this makes for a wonderful writer as vigorous writing is definitely concise. This book is mostly about grammar and not pedantry in writing.
The above compilation on “Some of the Books Every Writer Should Read” is to help the budding and the seasoned writers, to understand the tips and tricks of the trade to make a wonderful writer. Writing is not just art and not just structured sentences or paragraphs, but more about clarity, brevity, style, passion, inner voice, narration, grammar in addition to melody and rhythm that binds your story into an inspiration for the readers.
Share ahead and keep writing us, we love hearing your suggestions.
Minu Manisha
