Rachel’s Recommendations
Recommended Reads:
What Makes ‘The War That Saved My Life’ an Award-Winning Book
I try to read between two and five middle grade novels every month, mostly because that’s the genre I like to write in, and the best way to learn a genre is to read in it. One of the best middle grade novels I’ve picked up so far this year was The War that Saved My...
For a Laugh Out Loud Read, Try Anything Erma Bombeck
For the past year, I’ve been studying the art of humor writing, because I run a parenting humor blog, and I didn’t want it to be just run of the mill. There are so many humor writers who make their living from what I call roasting—making fun of people who are in the...
What Makes Ursula LeGuin’s Earthsea Cycle Series a Great Fantasy Read
I only recently discovered Ursula LeGuin’s Earthsea Cycle series, the first of which was written in 1968. I read The Wizard of Earthsea quickly, since it was a beautifully written book, and I was immediately hooked on the story of Ged, who is a wizard chasing a...
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.