My love for books on writing began in high school when my favorite English teacher lent me a copy of Creating the Story by Rebecca Rule and Susan Wheeler. This book got down and dirty with all the must-knows of story writing and I devoured it. In fact, I distinctly remember sitting on the back patio of my childhood home, reading the borrowed copy, and deciding that I needed my own so I could write all over it.
In hindsight, the reason I connected so deeply with Creating the Story was because it offered personal prompts and helped me think of writing as an extension of myself. Once I took on this mindset, there was no going back. Once I finished Creating the Story, I was hungry for more.
My experience with Rule and Wheeler’s book led me down a rabbit hole. I read writing book after writing book, and they helped me discover not only who I am as a writer, but also what tools, tricks, and philosophies make the most sense to me.
These books changed my writing life, and they’ll change yours, too.
1. Creating the Story: Guides for Writers by Rebecca Rule and Susan Wheeler
This book will:
- Inspire you to start NOW
- Teach you what makes a compelling story (and how to write one)
- Help you see yourself and your life as a rich and reliable source of inspiration
Creating the Story is practical advice and infinite inspiration all rolled into one. Rule and Wheeler walk you through the story-writing process (from getting started to creating characters to writing about sex and violence) and provide you with meaningful and inspiring prompts every step of the way.
The prompts are one of my favorite parts of this book because they invite you to look within yourself, your life, and your experiences. They help you create a writing process that has you at the center. In other words, this book will teach you how to write stories and how to think of yourself as your primary—and very best—source of inspiration.
You can buy a copy here.
2. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
This book will:
- Help you conquer fear, procrastination, and doubt and just start
- Motivate you to take things one day, one word, and one story at a time
- Provide you with countless ideas for how to improve your writing process and get inspired
Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird is full of advice and fun to read. The first time I read this book, Lamott made me laugh out loud more than once, and it was SO refreshing. This book on writing is especially helpful if you’re looking for guidance on both the technical and life-related aspects of the writing process. Lamott goes in-depth about things like plot and publication, and she also discusses important topics such as writer’s block, the importance of writing groups, and the benefits of writing “shitty first drafts.”
If you’ve been struggling with getting started, Bird by Bird will help free you from doubt, procrastination, fear, or whatever is holding you back. It offers a way through your struggles and out the other side.
You can buy a copy here.
3. The Right to Write by Julia Cameron
This book will:
- Provide you with intentional writing and writing-life exercises
- Help make writing a natural and consistent part of your life
- Help you be more creative in your day-to-day life
The Right to Write will change the way you think about writing. Julia Cameron writes with the philosophy that writing is a natural part of being human, a part that should be nurtured, cared for, and set free. The book itself is comprised of essays, each on a different aspect of the writing life. Each essay is then broken up into an invitation, where she explains the concept in detail, and an initiation, where she invites you to engage with the material.
Throughout this book, Cameron invites you to look within yourself, explore your creativity, and allow your experiences to inspire writing.
She will help you accept who you are as a writer. She will teach you how to prioritize creativity and reimagine the way you think about creativity in the first place.
You can buy a copy here.
4. Still Writing by Dani Shapiro
This book will:
- Make you think differently about the writing process
- Help you uncover the countless stories within
- Inspire you to let the story guide you
Dani Shapiro’s view of the writing process is unique, refreshing, and inspiring. Unlike the majority of writing books out there, Still Writing is more of a story itself and is focused not on the technical aspects of writing, but solely on the natural process of the craft. Like Cameron, Shapiro considers the writing process to be highly personal—something that happens naturally and in a way that’s unique to every individual. It was the first writing book I ever read that didn’t tell me to outline and that instead, encouraged me to follow the story wherever it wanted to go.
This book, like Cameron’s, will make you think differently about what it means to tell a story. It will inspire you and teach you about your own identity. It will make you curious and excited to pick up a pen and begin.
* Full disclosure, Still Writing is my favorite book on writing and is, to date, the most quotable book I’ve ever read.
You can buy a copy here.
5. Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
This book will:
- Help you live a more creative life
- Make you think
- Help you become a better, more intentional writer
Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones is a book about the writing practice—what makes a good writing practice, how to stick to one, and how to free your inner writer. Goldberg sees the writing practice as a pivotal aspect of the writing life because it helps writers stay honest, get ideas out, and nurture their creative brains. A writing practice is how you learn and get better. Thus, it’s the foundation for a successful career.
Goldberg has a knack for thought-provoking one-liners, my favorite being, “the problem is we think we exist.”
This book will make you think. It will make you wonder about what it means to be a writer and will help you define that for yourself. It will make you a better writer.
You can buy a copy here.
In Conclusion
The top five books on writing that will change your life are:
- Creating the Story by Rebecca Rule and Susan Wheeler
- Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
- The Right to Write by Julia Cameron
- Still Writing by Dani Shapiro
- Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
If you’re looking for books on the technical aspects of writing, Creating the Story is the place to start. On the other hand, if you’re looking for books about the writing life and process, Still Writing, The Right to Write, and Writing Down the Bones are for you. If you’re looking for something in the middle, Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird is a perfect balance.
These books will help you establish a positive relationship with writing. They will make you think and give you the tools to establish a more intentional writing life. Most of all, they will inspire you to start now!
Want more life-changing writing advice? Check out my post, “17 Snippets of Writing Advice to Get You Going.”
And make sure to sign up for my newsletter to receive weekly free resources and start implementing your writing practice today.
With Love, Cats, and Coffee 💖,
Olivia