Insecure Writers Want to Know: What’s your favorite writing craft book? And why?

Writing craft books! I love them. Every time I read them or glance through them; I learn something new. Every time. I highlight. I write notes in the margins. I place colored tabs on pages. I didn’t realize how many different genre, and different technique writing books I had on my shelves until you posed this question.

The interesting thing about writing books is that the general story telling is the same. For children. For mysteries. For memoir. Story is story, no matter the conventions needed to place it in a genre. There’s a beginning, middle, and end to the story. There’s tension. There are well-rounded characters that readers need to care about. There should be internal and external forces compelling characters to make choices. And there are consequences for the decisions made. 

Yes. There are specific genre conventions. The story needs to do what the genre readers expect of it. But they are still stories. Even memoir is a story. 

So many writers have tweaked the genre to create something just a bit different, just a bit unique. I remember finding romance stories with vampires or aliens. Mysteries in outer space or with magical creatures.    

I don’t think I have a specific writing book I refer to always. I read them. I continue to learn something new. There are so many resources for writers now. I’ve added blog and newsletter readings and podcasts to my writing/story education.

Do you listen to Joanna Penn? 

MarkDawson? 

K.M.Weiland? 

Or Jennie Nash? 

These are my weekly listening programs. I learn lots. One thing about writers, we are always learning. But then again, aren’t all humans constantly learning?

Please feel free to offer any insight on this.

It will be interesting to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s wonderful having a topic to share our thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for all of you for being my sounding board and advisors in this writing and publishing journey.

Thanks for visiting! And be sure to stop by Adventures in Writing again.

This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. I’d like to thank our co-hosts for August: PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, and Sandra Cox! Please visit them if you can.

Our group posts on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.