Books on writing.

[TomOfSweden]

A while back I finnished Stephen Kings book, "On Writing". wiki link

I read it mostly because it was the only book I had access to at the time, and the fact that I've never liked any of Stephen Kings books didn't make me more enthusiastic. But the fact was that the book was a writers treasure chest. He's an extremly sharp technical writer and knows exactly why he writes every single letter, and has no trouble transmiting this information in the book. The most helpful for me was the huge number of very practical advice on things not to do.

He also had very practical advice on how to translate visual images into text and how to make believable dialog. He also goes into the subject of getting published, and getting paid which is helpful for aspiring authors.

I'd like to hear about any other good books that focus on the task of writing. All advice is good advice.

[Ruby]

Hi Tom, what a great idead for a thread.

All,

Here's a couple from my bookshelf that I often turn to for advice:

How to Write Romances by Phyllis Taylor Pianka

It offers a good deal of information organized for easy reading. One chapter has 53 reasons why a book may be rejected.

How to Write Erotica by Valerie Kelly

This is a fun one subtitled "Turn your fantasies into a fortune!" While some of the market information may be aging quickly, the writing section is worth the price.

Note: I have a first edition, so I haven't checked to see if a newer one is available.

The Writer's Handbook - updated often and now in paperback. whoo hoo!

This gem is packed with great advice and lots of articles. Because it changes from year to year, one edition may have an article from a favorite author and the next may have a different one. Some people purchase these every few years.

Note check the country of publisher. I have a 50th edition from 1986 in the US version, but there's a
20th edition online from a UK publisher.

Also, when you are ready to find a publisher, the Writer's Market now also in paperback is another gem. Get the lastest edition for the most recent contact information.

The Describer's Dictionary by David Grambs

The one describes itself as "A treasury of terms and literary quotations for readers and writers."

Am looking forward to seeing what the rest of your recommend. Enquiring minds want to know.

Ruby

[maddie]

Ruby: A quick check at Amazon shows no newer edition to the Valerie Kelly book.

As for what I've found useful, I think the more you can read, period, the better. I read nearly anything I can get my hands on and have for as long as I can remember. It helps.

Jane Smiley has a new book out that I'm anxious to get, "Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Novel". She has taught writing as well as being a successful writer.

I've found the required reading Ruby has for Level Three students in the Writer's Block to be quite useful. Much of it is found at Literotica.com.

[Ruby]

Thanks for checking Amazon, Maddie. Guess I better keep that book in fine condition.

Since you've teased everyone, here's the Level Three required reading list for anyone who is now curious:

The Guide for Amateur Writers of Erotica
http://www.literotica.com/storyxs/stories/guide.shtml

An Easy Guide to Better Writing
http://english.literotica.com/storie...y.php?id=44341

I Pushed My Pud Up Her Poop-Chute - & other words/phrases to avoid in stories.
http://english.literotica.com/storie...y.php?id=42607

Show or Tell - Illustrations of how to convey meaning in fiction.
http://english.literotica.com/storie...y.php?id=99931

ACTIVE Voice - the Voice of GOD
http://darkerotica.blogspot.com/2004...ce-of-god.html

The Secret to Good Writing - Being your own editor can lead to being a better writer.
http://english.literotica.com/storie...y.php?id=41059

The Importance of Pacing
http://www.simegen.com/school/worksh...ornelison.html

Enjoy and write on!

Ruby

[TomOfSweden]

Since you've teased everyone, here's the Level Three required reading list for anyone who is now curious:
Ruby

I hate to rain on your parade, but it's only the first link that works. The rest is "404, page not found"

[Dragon's muse]

As a writer, my very best friend is Strunk and White's The Elements of Style.

But you started with one of the best. King's On Writing is superb

[Ruby]

I hate to rain on your parade, but it's only the first link that works. The rest is "404, page not found"

Well, phooey, it looks like folks have moved things around again. Those links were working just a month ago.

If anyone wants to see the articles, I recommend a search on the titles.

Thanks, for the alert, Tom. I'll research and see if I can post the most recent links.

---

Yeah, Strunk and White!

You've got excellent taste, Dragon's Muse

[Dragon's muse]

---

Yeah, Strunk and White!

You've got excellent taste, Dragon's Muse

Thank you very much. With a few of my writer friends (we stick together -- helps with dealing with rejection letters) we even call the editing/proofreading process of a manuscript "Strunking the book."

[Mad Lews]

Another guide for grammer and punctuation,
Write Right! by Jan Venolia

and for those writers block moments (months)
From Where You Dream by Robert Olen Butler

hey with a name that long he must know that of which he speaks

Mad Lews

[Dragon's muse]

i was recently given a really neat book on grammar called

Eats shoots and leaves

entertaining and informative