What Writing Resources Would I Recommend?
A very common question (daily, it seems) is, “What writing resources would you recommend, especially for someone starting out?”
Well, in one way, that is tough. The writer’s journey to self-discovery is highly personalized. That would be like asking me to pick out what fashion magazines I suggest you follow. Or recommending a hairstyle for you.
There are a few classic guides out there that have stood the test of time. I have read them and got a great deal of practical guidance. And they are readily available and reasonably priced.
These are a few of the publications that have helped me.
BOOKS:
On Writing by Stephen King.
This book is not a guide on how to perfect the craft of writing. Instead, it delves into one man's challenging and tumultuous journey towards becoming a successful author. If you are not already familiar with him, well, you need to get out more. Stephen King is the mastermind behind The Shining, Carrie, and The Shawshank Redemption.
While I may not agree with all his writing advice, this book serves as a powerful source of motivation and inspiration.
While it might be pure hubris that I don’t follow the Master 100%, I think he is incorrect when he says that writing is a mechanical process that involves the application of the correct tool in the writer’s toolbox for the job.
I believe in intuition, inspiration, and serendipitous ideas that sort of spontaneously appear.
I do outline and plan and organize like crazy. But the genuine joy in writing is being surprised by what the character does just as much as the reader would be. Mr. King is not a proponent of this type of writing … and we will simply disagree on that.
After reading it for the second time recently, I am reminded of its enduring impact.
Story by Robert McKee.
Another classic, written in the 90s and still holds up. Though written for screenwriters, the concepts apply to novelists as well.
Dialogue by Robert McKee.
There are other books on dialogue that are equally useful. But read McKee’s set of books. They work well together. Narrative should flow, and dialogue is the thing most likely to make your prose clunky and slowed down. Read these books as a set of instructions on keeping the flow smooth.
The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass
I was a psychologist before becoming a professional writer. This book really resonates with me. The premise of the book is simply that books are not stories about characters, nor are they stories about events. They are stories about feelings. It is a must read for all new writers.
Outlining your Novel, Structuring your Novel, and Creating Character Arcs by K. M. Weiland.
These three books were the foundation of my writing craft and are a perfect set to have. Writing my second book, The World of Astria, took almost a year before I discovered Outlining Your Novel.
The initial effort was chaotic and disorganized, with no clear structure. But after reading Outlining, something clicked.
I used to believe that writing meant just going with the flow and hoping it all made sense in the end. However, Weiland's book showed me how to plan a story without stifling creativity and spontaneity.
Using Structuring Your Novel and Creating Character Arcs in conjunction with Outlining proved to be highly effective. If you're only able to read a few books from this list, make sure these three are at the top of your list.
USEFUL VIDEOS:
2020 Creative Writing Lectures at BYU by Brandon Sanderson.
I've been a fan of Sanderson's writing since the beginning of 2018. When I found out he taught a creative writing course, my first thought was how to enroll. Fortunately, I didn't have to stress about it because he shares all his lectures online for free. This man is widely considered one of the top fantasy authors in the industry, so having access to his insights on writing is truly a blessing.
USEFUL PODCASTS:
Writing Excuses, hosted by Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Taylor, and Dan Wells.
Each installment of this podcast runs for approximately fifteen minutes and focuses on a specific element of the writing process. The hosts, who have collectively penned numerous popular novels, have a strong inclination towards fantasy and science fiction genres. This is one of the few podcasts that I make sure to listen to every week. If you're just starting out, I highly recommend checking out season 10, which is structured like a virtual 'masterclass.'
A Few Observations:
· There is no one right way to write. It all depends on what works for you.
· Discover whether you prefer to outline your books meticulously or if writing without a plan leads to a better story. For me, using the organic approach took 360 days to finish my first book - and it wasn't very good. But after reading "Outlining Your Novel" and implementing an outline for my second book, it only took 60 days to complete - and the quality was much improved.
· Whether you are pursuing traditional publishing or self-publishing, having a dedicated fan base is crucial. While social media is great for building an audience, I've found that having an email list of readers who buy books is even more valuable. If you haven't started an email newsletter yet, I highly recommend it. And don't worry if you don't have any writing to share at first; consider sending out monthly reading recommendations or conducting author interviews instead. Your email list is your most important asset, and it's not controlled by any outside forces - it's controlled by you. So, start building your platform early.
· Write about what you love. Even if it seems like a niche genre, there will always be an audience for your unique stories. And remember, complex characters are interesting characters. Don't be afraid to create contradictions within your characters - a character trying not to cry is often more interesting than one who is openly crying.
I love answering writing questions. Feel free to send me yours at: submissions@warpspeedediting.com
