Book Review
As writers, it’s important to take time to immerse yourself in books that offer insights into the art, science, and emotions of writing, learning from those who have come before—from those who have made a point of sharing their experience and wisdom. Reading about writing isn’t just about learning rules; it’s about understanding the myriad ways stories can be told and finding approaches and styles that resonate with you. When you learn from people who’ve been in the proverbial writing trenches, you can discover techniques that enhance your creativity and effectiveness as a writer.
We believe in continually refining your craft, feeding your emotional self along the way. To that end, we’ve curated a list of five books we here at Technica Editorial view as Must Reads for all writers. We hope they will provide you with guidance, inspiration, and practical advice.
These authors and the books they’ve written can serve as mentors and offer wisdom gleaned from their years of experience. As well as adding these titles to your reading list, we also encourage you to explore others that pique your interest. Each book you read is a step toward mastering your craft and bringing your stories to life.
Without further adieu, here are our five Must-Reads that every writer should have on their shelf:
1. “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King
“On Writing” is part memoir, part master class. Stephen King has quite a bit to share after such a long and illustrious career. In these pages, he shares his personal journey (going back to childhood stories) alongside practical advice on writing. His approach is honest and conversational, making it very accessible. He provides insights into the craft of writing, as well as the connection between writing and living. “On Writing” is a straightforward and honest peak inside the life of a hugely successful and prolific author. Whether or not you’re a Stephen King fan, this is a book you can reread many times over, gleaning new insights into the writing life each time.
2. “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life” by Anne Lamott
In “Bird by Bird”, Anne Lamott combines humor and honesty to explore the challenges of writing and the writer’s life. The big message to writers is to take things “bird by bird”, which means focusing on small, manageable tasks rather than getting overwhelmed by the big things. “Bird by Bird” is one of those books you pull out every now and then when you need a little comfort. She gives practical tips, but more than that, she offers emotional support for the creative process.
3. “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
“The Elements of Style” is one of those technical books that is handy to have accessible. It’s the nuts and bolts of English style and grammar, condensed into concise and easy-to-understand rules. The Internet is a handy resource tool, but for this type of resource, we like to have the physical copy within arm’s reach. We view this book is an essential reference for writers who want to improve the clarity and precision in their work. It’s small, but mighty! Despite its brevity, it covers a broad range of topics, which makes it an invaluable tool for refining your writing.
4. “The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles” by Steven Pressfield
Every writer has dealt with doubt, imposter syndrome, and procrastination. In “The War of Art”, author Steven Pressfield takes readers into the concept of “Resistance”, which he defines as the internal obstacles that hinder one’s creative endeavors. His goal is to help creatives through these barriers by offering strategies to overcome them. He encourages writers to pursue their craft with determination, and we wholeheartedly agree with him on this. “The War of Art” is a motivational read that addresses the psychological challenges of writing. More than that, it provides writers with tools to conquer the aforementioned self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and procrastination.
5. “Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within” by Natalie Goldberg
Natalie Goldberg is seen as a guru in the writing world in great part due to “Writing Down the Bones”. This book blends sage writing advice with deeper Zen principles. Her approach is to emphasize writing as a practice. One of the big messages she conveys is letting go of perfectionism and embracing the act of writing itself. Write for writing’s sake. In “Writing Down the Bones”, Goldberg also provides exercises and insights to inspire creativity and help writers find their unique voice. It’s another book to pull out whenever you need a reminder about why you write.
There are so many great resource books out there for writers. These are our top five. Each of these books offers a unique perspective on the writing process and life. Through them, we learn about addressing both the technical aspects of writing and the emotional journey of being a writer. We hope you’ll allow them to serve as valuable resources, as well as provide you with guidance, inspiration, and practical advice as you navigate your creative path.
By: Melissa Bourbon