10 Recommended Books for Aspiring Writers

Every book lover dreams of being a writer. But sometimes it’s hard to know how to start. Luckily for them, they’ve already made the first steps – by reading! As the King of Horror Stephen King once said, all you need to be a writer is to read a lot, and to write a lot. Here are some good books to get those creative juices flowing and get into the habit of writing a lot:

Make Good Art: Inspiration for Creative People by Neil Gaiman

Okay, so technically it’s a commencement address he gave at Philadelphia University of the Arts in 2012. But, it’s been made into a lovely illustrated book! Neil Gaiman’s speech resonated with many creative types besides just those 2012 graduates, and renowned graphic designer Chip Kidd’s contributions are a lovely commemoration of Neil Gaiman’s best advice for any new writer or artist: no matter what, make good art.

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

In this book, Julia Cameron works to uncover problem areas that restrict creative flow. Three of her main techniques have become the most accepted way among writers and artists to unleash their creativity. The first is her daily morning pages, which is probably a good thing to do even if you’re not creative. The second is the weekly artist’s date, where you devote a certain amount of time each week to do things that inspire you. The last is what she calls a Creative Cluster. A big part of being creative is surrounding yourself with creative people.

If you’re anything like me, this happens naturally – most of my friends are creatives, and we’re always bouncing ideas off of each other. However, if finding fellow creative people is something you struggle with, Julia Cameron offers some guidance.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Written by the best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love, this book is all about the spiritual journey of becoming a writer. It’s also a self-help book. It can be scary to live creatively; if you’re not already independently wealthy, it can be a risk to take on a big challenge like writing a book. Facing that fear can be a challenge in and of itself, and this big is all about conquering that fear

Building Fiction by Jesse Lee Kercheval

Okay, so now you’ve been inspired to write. Where do you start? Structure is always a good starting point, and this book is all about structure. Building Fiction is great for beginners, and it’s a common reference book in creative writing courses – my own professors used it when I was in college. Stories are something we know how to tell by nature, but this book breaks down the elements of a story in a way that’s easy to understand for those who haven’t written a story before. It even has some exercises for you to practice.

The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White

The Elements of Style is another essential for readers who want to start writing. Another common reference book in creative writing courses, it’s basically a rulebook full of tips and tricks for the act of writing. As with any hobby, you have to know the rules. This is especially true if you want to make a career out of writing. This book can be a bit of a dry read, but on the plus side, it’s short. You don’t even have to read it all the way through – just skip to the section you need, and you’re good to go!

The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steven Pinker

On the flip side, rules are boring. Some feel that prescriptivist rules like those in The Elements of Style restrict creativity. That’s where Steven Pinker’s The Sense of Style comes in. Steven Pinker is a psycholinguist who knows and understands that language is fluid, not rigid as Elements would suggest. As my own creative writing professors said, you have to know the rules before you can start breaking them, and this book shows how you can bend those rules effectively.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Love or hate him, Stephen King is a highly prolific author. Whether you enjoy the King of Horror’s works or not, there’s no denying that the man knows a thing or two about writing. This book is basically King’s story of how he got where he is today, and it’s remarkably relatable. In addition to his little tips and tricks on the craft of writing, he gives a lot of insight into what life as a full-time author is like.

Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

Want more insight into the writing life? Check out this book. Ray Bradbury is another great author with some great advice regarding writing and life in general. Zen in the Art of Writing isn’t just a how-to manual; Bradbury encourages writers to find their own unique path, style, and voice.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

Even when inspired, sometimes it can be like pulling teeth to get a good draft out. Well, according to Anne Lamott, a first draft doesn’t have to be good. In fact, Bird by Bird introduces the idea of shitty first drafts. Writing doesn’t have to be good at first – that’s why we revise. Get it down, and you can fix it later.

You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One) by Jeff Goins

This book is more about the business of writing than the craft of writing. Jeff Goins has plenty of advice for people who are looking to take their writing hobby and turn it into a career. In You are a Writer, he shares his own story on tackling imposter syndrome and self-doubt. If you’re really serious about being a writer or just need help claiming the title, this is a good book to look into!

Of course, there are so many more books about writing.