Which Writing Books You Should Read (and Which Ones You Can Skip)
/Looking for a writing craft book to help write your novel or improve your fiction? Read on for the books I most frequently recommend to authors whether they’re working on their first or their fifteenth novel.
One of the hardest parts about learning to be a better writer is figuring out what writing advice applies to you and your current work-in-progress. You could hire an editor for help, but if you’re working on your own, you’ve got a lot of content to sort through. If you search Amazon for books about writing fiction there are 70,000+ results!
From book descriptions it’s often hard to tell what topics the book covers, and under what circumstances you’re supposed to use the advice within.
After reading over 50 books about writing fiction, I’ve put the ones that I and my editing clients have found most useful in this blog post. Each recommendation below says why the book is on this list, what topics the book includes, when the book is likely to be helpful, and when you’d be better off skipping it.
Read on or click a link below to jump to that section. Then, bookmark this page for future reference.
1 The Book Most Likely to Improve Your Scenes
2 The ‘Nearly Everything You Need in One Book’ Book
3 A Book To Help You Master Fiction’s Most Important Skill
4 Books To Help You Recognize a Page-Turning Plot
5 Using, Not Abusing, the Hero’s/Heroine’s Journey
6 Books to Help You Create Believable Characters
7 Books to Help You Build Productive Writing Habits & Master Your Mind
1 The Book Most Likely to Improve Your Scenes
How to Write a Dynamite Scene Using the Snowflake Method (Advanced Fiction Writing Book 2) by Randy Ingermanson
Why it’s on the list: Of all the books on this list, this is the one I recommend most often. Don’t be thrown off by the name. The method shared here is Mr. Ingermanson’s version on the popular scene writing technique called Scene-Sequel. (Check out the review of his Techniques of the Selling Writer in the Advanced Studies section for more about Scene-Sequel.) I recommend this book over other books that present variations on this technique, because Ingermanson’s description is the most thorough and accessible explanation available. Plus, my clients have loved it.
What it covers:
Attributes of all scenes
What makes a good Proactive Scene (i.e. One that has a goal, conflict, and setback and that others would call a “Scene” in the “Scene-Sequel” system.)
What makes a good Reactive Scene (i.e. One with a reaction, dilemma, and a decision that would be called a “Sequel” in Scene-Sequel.)
Troubleshooting problems with your scenes
Read when: You aren’t familiar with the Scene-Sequel method and want to dramatically improve your scene writing. Or, if you are familiar with it and would like a refresher.
Skip when: You’ve already mastered Scene-Sequel. Or if you’ve already got another system to help you craft compelling scenes.
2 The ‘Nearly Everything You Need in One Book’ Book
Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story by K.M. Weiland
Why it’s on the list: This book explains structure at three levels of story - global story, individual scenes, and individual beats within scenes. Many of the writers I meet are familiar with story structure for the overall plot, but aren’t using scene or beat structure. In fact, a lot of times, they’re not aware that scene and beat structure exist. This means they’re missing out on important tools to help make their manuscripts great.
Key topics covered:
Global Story using 3-Act Structure and Plot Points (See the section Books To Help You Recognize a Page-Turning Plot for more about Plot Points.)
Examples of how the Plot Points work in two novels - Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game - and two films - Master & Commander, It’s a Wonderful Life.
Large-scale scene structure using the Scene-Sequel framework. (See the Advanced Studies section for more about Scene-Sequel.)
Beat structure (Weiland calls it sentence structure) using motivation-reaction units (MRUs).
Grammatical constructions to avoid in your line writing.
Read when: You want to read one book that covers most of the story theory that applies to novels.
Skip when: You prefer to dive deep into one topic at a time. Or when you’ve already got systems in place to help you structure your story at the global, scene, and beat levels.
How close are you to crafting a novel readers won’t be able to put down?
3 A Book To Help You Master Fiction’s Most Important Skill
Understanding Conflict (And What It Really Means) by Janice Hardy
Why it’s on the list: If you want to consistently write great fiction, there’s one topic you’ll need to master. Conflict. The surest way to master it is to get direct and repeated feedback on your writing. That could be from a critique partner, a knowledgeable friend, or a professional editor. But this book can help you get as far as possible on your own.
Hardy catalogs the various meanings of “conflict” across different types of stories as well as all the ways writers can go wrong in trying to create the different flavors of conflict.
What it covers:
What conflict is and what you might think it *is*, but is not actually conflict
Different types of conflict
“conflict of the plot”—the physical challenges characters face
“conflict of the character”—the mental/emotional challenges that arise in a character’s mind
Problems with conflict (i.e. conflict that doesn’t contribute to your story)
How to add conflict to your scenes
Read when: You want to deepen your understanding of the topic. Or if you get feedback that you “need more conflict” and you want to ask more pointed questions about what exactly that is supposed to mean.
Skip when: You’re already a conflict-creating monster.
4 Books To Help You Recognize a Page-Turning Plot
This is a category where it’s difficult to make a single recommendation, because none of the ways of thinking about story structure work for everyone. Some writers work better with more guidelines, others with more flexibility.
A more complex framework isn’t necessarily better. The best framework for you is one that helps you write a good novel. That means it’s a good match for your brain, your process, your genre, and your story. You might use a different framework for different novels. That is perfectly normal and is not a sign that you are doing something wrong.
The books below describe several of the most popular story structure frameworks in rough order from ‘explainable within a few sentences’ to ‘complex and comprehensive’.
If you don’t want to read a book at all, check out the Wikipedia page for Three-Act structure. All the books recommended below incorporate a Three-Act structure or a close relative of it into the framework.
Story Structure Frameworks
Snowflake Method
How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson - This framework calls for writing a summary line and a book description first. Then, creating a plot with three disasters, plus an ending. First, at the end of Act 1 around 25% of the word count. Second, at the midpoint of the story. Third at the end of Act 2 around the 75% mark. Finally, the climax of the whole book. Ingermanson uses an allegory format to describe the Snowflake Method. Goldilocks attends a writing seminar with other famous characters from children’s books who want to write books of their own.
Read when: You’re a big picture thinker who wants maximum flexibility. Or you want to read a story structure book that doesn’t feel like an academic textbook.
Skip when: You do better with more structure or the allegory format doesn’t work for you.
Save the Cat
Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody - This framework uses 10 quirky genres and a set of 15 beats. (Note: Beats here means big important scenes or sequences, not the line-level beats within a scene.) Save the Cat started out as a tool Blake Snyder created to help other screenwriters structure their screenplays. Jessica Brody explains how novelists can use Save the Cat by breaking down each of the beats and providing 10 in-depth examples of how those beats map to a particular novel.
Read when: You like a medium amount of guidelines, and you understand concepts best when there are lots of examples.
Skip when: None of the Save the Cat genres fits your story. Or you do your best work with more guidelines than Save the Cat offers.
Plot Points
Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story by K.M. Weiland - This is a repeat recommendation so you can compare global story frameworks. The global framework presented in this book has 8 “Plot Points” (Inciting Incident, First Pinch Point, First Plot Point, Midpoint, Second Pinch Point, Second Plot Point, Story Climax, Resolution) and divides the story into 4 equal sections (Act 1, Act 2 Part I, Act 2 Part 2, Act 3). Each section contains about 25% of the word count and a specific set of tasks to accomplish: introducing characters, showcasing the antagonist’s power, wrapping up subplots, protagonist reaches their low point, etc.
Read when: You’re writing a novel with an internal character arc or this framework appeals to you.
Skip when: You find Plot Points confusing and prefer another method.
The 5 Commandments of Storytelling
The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know by Shawn Coyne - The 5 Commandments are a series of nested criteria (Inciting Incident, Progressive Complications, Crisis, Climax, Resolution) that apply to every unit of story. That means every scene contains the 5 Commandments, every Act contains the 5 Commandments, and the global story itself contains the 5 Commandments. This takes a lot of mental wrangling to make one set of criteria apply to multiple levels of story. I got my start as an editor with the Story Grid. However, I believe for most writers the Story Grid is best used when revising an existing story. And that existing story should have already met the criteria of one a simpler story structure framework and contains scenes that obey Scene-Sequel.
Read when: You’re an analytical writer who thrives under maximum constraint. Or you’ve got a solid manuscript and you’re ready to revise it to be even better.
Skip when: You’re an intuitive writer, or if you’re working on your first novel and don’t have a manuscript yet.
How close are you to crafting a novel readers won’t be able to put down?
5 Using, Not Abusing, the Hero’s/Heroine’s Journey
The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger
Sometimes the Hero’s Journey is recommended as a global story framework or outlining method. I don’t agree. The Hero’s Journey (and the Heroine’s Journey) wasn’t created to help you figure out your global story or plot. But these journeys do have value and this is the best book to help you get the most out of the journey you choose.
This book contrasts the hero’s journey - a story where a solo hero has an adventure and succeeds on his or her own vs. a heroine’s journey where the heroine succeeds as part of a team. It puts both journeys in their proper place with respect to process.
Key topics covered:
The differences between the two journeys
An explanation of the individual beats of both journeys (Note: beats here means scenes or sequences, not beats within scenes)
How the protagonist in each type of journey views power, strength, success, groups, and motivation.
Read when: You’re thinking about larger thematic issues and how your characters relate to the message you want to convey through your novel.
Skip when: You’re looking for step-by-step guidance you can use to fix an existing problem in your manuscript.
(And if you absolutely need to have a book about the Hero’s Journey exclusively, check out The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler.)
6 Books to Help You Create Believable Characters
Characters are revealed through their actions and reactions. So, although most of the books recommended above don’t specifically say they’re about “characters”, they are, because they’re about how characters act and react to what’s happening in their world.
But there are two aspects of character that aren’t about actions and choices that are good to explore on their own: the expression of emotions, and portraying diverse characters well.
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi -
Why it’s on the list: The Emotion Thesaurus catalogs all the ways writers can show an emotion without telling the reader what emotion a character is having. This book is part of a series of thesauri, all of which are useful references. You can buy each thesauri individually or get access to all of them electronically at One Stop for Writers. Every writer should have a copy on their physical or virtual bookshelf.
What it covers:
Entries for over 130 different emotions starting with ‘acceptance’ and ending with ‘worthlessness’
For each emotion covered, there’s a definition, a list of physical signs and behaviors, internal sensations, mental responses, what might trigger this emotion, what this emotion might look like when it’s suppressed, and power verbs you can use to describe actions of a character experiencing this emotion.
Reference when: You need to find a way to convey an emotion your character is experiencing without naming it.
Skip when: You’re already a genius at coming up with fresh, non-cliché ways for your characters to express their emotions.
Salt and Sage Books Incomplete Guides Series
Why it’s on the list:
Writing diverse characters requires research. I recommend reading any of the books in the series that apply to characters within your story, especially if you are writing characters who differ from you. This series is hands-down the most useful starting point to familiarize yourself with the issues that come up in writing characters from a different identity.
Currently, there are books on writing Black characters, asexual characters, and autistic characters, as well as ones on fat positivity, and accurately portraying sexual assault.
What’s covered
Each of the books in the series is the work of a collection of contributors. The contributors describe problems they see repeatedly in their work as sensitivity readers and direct readers to resources to help them avoid these issues, or at least become more knowledgeable about the challenges faced.. Each type of character or experience presents a unique set of challenges so each book is unique in what specific issues are covered.
Read when: You’re writing a character from a different identity than you and you want to do it well.
Skip when: You’ve done interviews, read books, listened to podcasts and done a ton of other types of research to ensure that characters who come from different identities than you are well-rounded and not stereotypes. And you’ve also taken steps to prevent other unintentional negative impacts of your story through research, or hiring sensitivity readers.
How close are you to crafting a novel readers won’t be able to put down?
7 Books to Help You Build Productive Writing Habits & Master Your Mind
Novels take a long time to write and it’s easy to get distracted or discouraged before you finish your manuscript. These are the books I recommend when writers need help with the project management and emotional aspects of writing a book.
Scrappy Rough Draft: Use science to strategically motivate yourself & finish writing your book (Creative Academy Guides for Writers 1) by Donna Barker
Why it’s on the list:
This book is chock full of useful advice. Information on how to manage the emotional challenges all writers face. (Rejection or crippling self-doubt, anyone?) Practical steps to help you establish writing habits to help you get words on the page. Exercises to help you reframe your thinking so you spend less time feeling guilty and anxious about your writing and more time enjoying it.
Some topics covered:
The steps to writing a first draft
Reframing how you think about the time you spend writing, the time you spend not writing, and your process in general so it’s not an endless source of guilt and frustration
Multiple methods to help you transform what your inner critic tells you about your writing into something kinder and more positive.
How to procrastinate productively — using your non-writing activities to help you be more effective during your writing time
Directional planning as an alternative to goal-setting
Turning your purpose into motivation
Read when: You need help establishing a regular writing practice and are looking to expand your toolkit for ways to manage the emotions of a writer’s life.
Skip when: Your words are flowing and you aren’t troubled by writer’s block or resistance.
Dear Writer, You Need to Quit by Becca Syme
Why it’s on the list:
A lot of writing experts suggest that if you follow their advice, you’ll achieve the same results. But the reality is not that simple. If you’ve been disappointed after following advice you’ve received, are currently experiencing a rough patch, or want to feel more confident in knowing which advice to follow and which to ignore, this book can help you coach yourself.
Some topics covered:
Why there’s no magic bullet to becoming a better writer
How to identify small changes that can make a big impact on your writing productivity
What it takes to change your writing habits
What happens when you have unrealistic expectations and what to do about it
Why you should focus on strengths, not weaknesses
Publishing data showing the reality of what an average author earns
Read when: You feel worried that you aren’t writing “the right way”. If you’ve received advice that didn’t work, or any time you want reassurance it’s ok to be your own unique self.
Skip when: Your self-confidence never wavers.
8 Advanced Studies
These are books I’d add to your read-later shelf after you’ve read the ones that apply to you above. I don’t recommend starting with any of these for one of the following reasons: 1) the book builds on knowledge that many writers don’t have yet, 2) the book is focused more on story theory than practical application, or 3) in working with clients, I’ve gotten better results starting with other books.
Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain.
Why it’s on the list: Swain was a writing teacher at the University of Oklahoma who pioneered ways to teach commercial fiction. This book was first published in 1965 and describes his most famous pioneering technique — Scene -Sequel — along with many other topics. The vast majority of how-to books that cover scene writing for genre fiction authors teach the Scene-Sequel technique or a variation on it. (Ingermanson’s and Weiland’s books recommended above both do).
Besides Scene-Sequel, this very long book also includes information on motivation-reaction units, or MRUs (another technique he pioneered), conflict, character, developing a premise, story structure, and what should go in the first paragraph.
Read when: You want to out-nerd your writing friends and read primary sources, baby.
Skip when: You want a quick read that will give you a few tips to focus on at a time.
Elements of Fiction Writing - Scene & Structure by Jack Bickham
Why it’s on the list: This is a great supplement to Dwight Swain’s Techniques of the Selling Writer and Randy Ingermanson’s How To Write a Dynamite Scene Using the Snowflake Method. Written by one of Dwight Swain’s students, Scene & Structure gives more nuance and explains deviations from the patterns presented in those two other books as “rules”. Bickham also includes many excerpts from published fiction to illustrate his points.
Read when: You’re looking to level up your Scene-Sequel usage. Or you want to know all the ways you can deviate from the “rules” of Scene-Sequel.
Skip when: You’re new to Scene-Sequel. Start with Ingermanson’s How to Write a Dynamite Scene, reviewed above.
Robert McKee’s books Story, Dialogue, and Character
Why they’re on the list: Robert McKee is a famous screenwriting expert. If you’ve seen the movie Adaptation, Nicolas Cage attends a storytelling seminar taught by Robert McKee (played by Brian Cox). Both that writing seminar and the Robert McKee character are based on Robert McKee, the real-life person.
McKee developed a seminar on storytelling principles for screenwriters while he was on the faculty of the film school at the University of Southern California. He now teaches those seminars around the world and his past students have won Emmys, Oscars, and many other awards. In 1997, he published Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting which covers similar material to his original seminar. In the past few years, he’s added a book on dialogue, Dialogue: The Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage, and Screen, and one on character, Character: The Art of Role and Cast Design for Page, Stage, and Screen.
Story, Dialogue, and Character all contain useful advice. Although they are also dense, theory-heavy, and contain the occasional tangent. Given McKee’s popularity, I recommend reading his books at some point in your writing career. Here’s a little more about each of the three books.
Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting - McKee’s first book covers Three-Act structure, story design, scene design, conflict, and character development. The examples are all films, several of which were a few decades old at the time of the book’s publication. (Casablanca, Kramer vs. Kramer, Chinatown)
Read when: You hang out with screenwriters, you want a low-cost alternative to going to his seminars, or you want to read all the most popular books about storytelling.
Skip when: You know you want to write a novel and you’re focused on practical steps to achieving that goal.
Dialogue: The Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage, and Screen - In this book, McKee shows how to design characters - especially the words that they say, even if they never say those words out loud. Topics covered include what dialogue is, dramatized vs. narratized dialogue, how dialogue relates to character, dialogue and conflict, techniques for expressing dialogue, and problems with dialogue and how to fix them. The examples are more modern than the ones used in Story.
Read when: You’ve got a solid manuscript with a strong plot and you’re working on perfecting your dialogue. Or, when you’re the type of writer who gets to know your characters through writing dialogue for them and you thrive when you’ve got a complex theory you can refer to.
Skip when: You’re trying to figure out the premise, or working through tricky plot problems. Or when you don’t do well with theory and prefer more practical step-by-step guidance.
Character: The Art of Role and Cast Design for Page, Stage, and Screen - This is the most theory-heavy of McKee’s books. Topics covered include true character vs characterization, the motivations behind true character, the facets of characterization, four major steps in character design, how character design and event design help you create a story, the difference between roles and characters, what we mean when we say “three-dimensional character”, how to create dimensional characters, and considerations for the design of your cast as a whole.
Read when: You’re an experienced writer who’s looking to upgrade your approach to creating characters and designing the cast of your novel.
Skip when: You’re a new writer or you’re looking for practical how-to advice to follow on character creation.
Your Turn
What books have been most helpful in writing your novel? Or helping you grow as a writer? Leave a comment and share your experience.
Follow me on Goodreads to see my reviews for more of the 50+ writing craft books I read to create this blog post. Join my email list to get all my blog posts and more resources to help you write page-turning fiction.
