Want to write like Hemingway? You’ll need to read, read, read — at least, that’s what everyone says.
But which books are worth your time?
Visit your local bookstore and you’ll find plenty of titles on the subject, any of which can help you become a better storyteller. Really, you can’t go wrong picking what catches your eye, but I have some recommendations worthy of a spot on your bookshelf.
Here are five books that made me a better writer.
When I was starting, I had NO idea what I was doing when it came to grammar. I, like many aspiring writers, knew enough to get by but not enough to explain my writing choices or catch mistakes. “The Deluxe Transitive Vampire” changed everything.
By using vampires, werewolves, and a macabre cast of characters to explain the rules of the English language, “The Deluxe Transitive Vampire” succeeded where so many other grammar books had failed. If you’re struggling to wrap your head around grammar and punctuation, I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy.
Now that you’re back after reading “The Deluxe Transitive Vampire” in its entirety, it’s time to put your newfound grammar skills to use.
“The Elements of Style” covers rules of usage, principles of composition, and of course style. So many sources tell you to write clearly and concisely but few tell you how. Strunk and White teach how to write naturally without rambling, and they do it in a little over a hundred pages.
This pick might seem out of left field, but Blake Snyder’s “Save the Cat!” has had more of an impact on my writing than any other entry on this list. The book details the art of storytelling as interpreted by Hollywood screenwriters, focusing on the hero’s journey. Popularized by author Joseph Campbell, the hero’s journey details common themes shared by all stories and offers a blueprint for eliciting an emotional response from readers. Snyder takes this blueprint and simplifies it for the modern writer.
“Zen in the Art of Writing” is a collection of essays from “Fahrenheit 451” author Ray Bradbury. Other entries on this list teach how to write; this one teaches how to write from the heart.
One passage, in particular, hit me hard. Bradbury recounts how he was once shamed by peers for his love of everything strange and science fiction: the genre in which he went on to make a name for himself. “Since then, I have never listened to anyone who criticized my taste in space travel, sideshows or gorillas,” he wrote. My passions, I learned from reading “Zen in the Art of Writing,” are what fuel my writing.
If Ray Bradbury is a nurturing parent encouraging us to embrace the craft, Stephen King is a momma bird pushing us out of the nest.
“On Writing” serves as both a book on writing and a memoir, chronicling King’s struggles throughout his storied career. It is a sensational read replete with sound writing advice from the master of horror himself. King doesn’t mince words when it comes to the craft, telling aspiring authors to find another profession if they’re unwilling to put in the work. He does, however, encourage writers to lose themselves in the craft, as an innate part of ourselves so often needs permission before following our obsessions.
I hope you enjoyed the read! Let me know if you’d like more book recommendations. This is the first and hopefully not the last blog post I’ll release on writing and storytelling.
Comments