My Craft Book Recommendations for the Holidays or Any Writing Day

Writing is an iterative process. Each draft improves the more we work on it. Each new manuscript improves the more we learn.

And as writers, there are a myriad ways to learn every day.

We learn every time we notice the light through the trees, taste something new, experience an unlikely emotion in a mundane setting, are transported to our past because of a scent, are moved by new music, overhear a conversation that sparks our imagination, or read a new book that challenges our assumptions or presents story structure in a new way. We learn when we take classes or go to workshops or even just chat about books and stories with another writer over coffee or Zoom.

And we learn from craft books.

There are so many to choose from, so I have put together a listing of my most reliable craft books just in time for the holiday season. You can find all of these books on my Bookshop.org Craft Book page (this is an affiliate link and I do receive a small commission if you purchase through the site. You also support an independent bookstore every time you shop at Bookshop.org!).

Books on Structure:

• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, Jessica Brody This is by far my go-to on story structure. I have highlighted and sticky-noted this book within an inch of its life. But, nothing breaks down story beats as well for my brain. Plus, she uses examples from familiar novels to help you visualize these beats in a real work. If you aren’t sure what needs to come where in your novel, this book is for you.
• Blueprint for a Book, Jennie Nash Are you pantser who is plotter-curious? I have pantsed my way to a novel and after learning the Blueprint system at Author Accelerator, I am a convert. You’ll never find me outlining an entire novel, it’s just not how my brain works, but this book will walk you through the story fundamentals you need to know before you start so you have a solid structure under all that fun pantsing you want to do later. If we work together, I can guarantee you won’t escape without doing some aspect of this book. It works at all stages of the process (ideating, drafting, revising) to keep your story on track.
• Honorable Mention: Story Genius, Lisa Cron I love Lisa Cron’s Wired for Story, which is more theory than manual. This book is more nitty-gritty for getting the work done. The reason it’s an honorable mention is that I think the story misbelief section is genius, but the scene breakdown exercises did not work for me. Some writers swear by her book, though, so I always encourage writers to check it out. But like any craft book (or feedback), take what works for you and leave the rest.

Books on Revision:

• Intuitive Editing, Tiffany Yates Martin This is the book I wish I had the first time I was revising a novel. Unfortunately, Tiffany hadn’t written it yet. But lucky for you, she has now. This book walks you through the high level editing process so you can attack those big picture issues first before you get mired down in those tempting line edits. Trust me, this book is gold.
• The Artful Edit, Susan Bell This book is also a fantastic guide through the editing process. It’s filled with examples and case studies and interviews with various authors. Plus, it’s a fantastic historical look at editing and how it’s changed with the advancement of technology in publishing.

Books on the Creative Process:

• On Writing: A Memoir, Stephen King Part memoir, part craft book, this is a must read in my opinion. Again, his advice might not pertain to every writer’s process (I do not believe you need to write every day), but I find myself rereading the craft section of this book at least once a year and picking up something new I needed to hear in his direct and witty voice.
• The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron When you are lost or need to refill your creative well, go to this book. This book is meant to establish a creative habit in your life, to honor that impulse, and nurture those seeds of creativity. Morning Pages and Artist Dates are not techniques I use every day, but they are tools I definitely pull out of my box when I need a refresh and reset.
• The Creative Habit, Twyla Tharp While Twyla Tharp’s medium is dance, her thoughts on creativity apply to any discipline. I found myself inspired reading it and The Creative Autobiography exercises are insightful if you find yourself, like me, drawn to living a creative life.

Books on Mindset

• Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott This book is worth it for the metaphor that bestows its title alone.
• Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert The letter to fear and its role in the writing process is one I go back to again and again.
• The War of Art, Steven Pressfield This slim little nugget acknowledges that the work can get hard and reminds us that we can work through it.

What did I miss? What are your favorite craft books and why?

Featured photo above by Tom Hermans on Unsplash