Rachel’s Recommendations
Recommended Reads:
Two Heartbreaking YA Books Exploring Loss and Resilience
I go through these little seasons where I’ll read all middle grade fiction or all adult fiction or all young adult fiction. Recently I’ve been on a bit of a young adult fiction kick, so I’ve finished a couple of young adult books that I thought I’d share with you. A...
A Hilarious Fairy Tale Retelling You Won’t Want to Miss
I’ve talked about the Hero’s Guide books before, but I talked more about the incredible narration recorded by Bronson Pinchot (which really is incredible. If you haven’t read these books yet, pick them up on audio first and then read them again in book form). But...
Three Great Chapter Books to Read to Your Kids
I read a whole lot to my boys. Every day at lunch, I read to my twins and my littlest one from two picture books and a chapter book. Every night before bed, my entire family gathers around stories—two more picture books and another chapter book. But a surprising time...
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.