Rachel’s Recommendations
Recommended Reads:
2 MG Books that Make Great Read-Alouds
I recently finished two middle grade novels that I was reading my 4-year-old twins. They were both novels written in verse and both had the word “Red” in their title, which my 4-year-olds thought was really funny. Different stories, same word. It’s the little things...
A 9-Year-Old Talks About the World of Fairendale
Well, my first fiction series has now released into the public. I’ve had a lot of fun watching people download and enjoy them. But I think the most fun I’ve had is watching my 9-year-old, who is right in the age group for whom the series is written, ask me, after our...
An Inside Look at My Epic Fantasy Series Fairendale
My first fiction series releases this week (tomorrow, actually). It’s an epic fantasy series that contains mermaids and dragons and all sorts of magical creatures. They are secondary characters, more or less, and the main characters are children who are running for...
Writing resources
On Story
- Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting, by Robert McKee
I know this is a screenwriting book, but it’s probably the most comprehensive book on storytelling. A great resource! Dense reading, but full of great information. - The Hero With a Thousand Faces, by Joseph Campbell
Another dense read, but Joseph Campbell is one of my favorite commentators on story and story structure. Every writer should read this one at least once. - The Power of Myth, by Joseph Campbell
This was actually a series of interviews Campbell did. It’s better to listen to the audio version or watch the DVD. He’s so passionate about story, and that’s contagious!
On Writing (general)
- Wired for Story, by Lisa Cron
Great book on the science of the brain and how to craft well-told stories that will appeal to the storytelling side of the brain. I got this book years ago but still pull it out every now and then to refresh my memory. - Steering the Craft, by Ursula Le Guin
This one’s not so much a technique kind of book as it is a book reminding writers of their obligation to their readers. Some of her ideas are a bit old-fashioned, but most of them are still valuable today. - The Fire in Fiction, by Donald Maass
Another great one on creating books that appeal to readers. Again, I always read these kinds with a grain of salt–because my goals are a bit different, but we all want readers, so I think we can always find value in the suggestions offered, even if we don’t become hardcore users of them.