Comments on: Top 25 Books for Writers: Nominations

By: Debra Marrs

Debra Marrs — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:40:41 +0000

The Synonym Finder by J.I. Rodale is THE MUST HAVE book for all writers. So much better than a thesaurus, it helps writers discover the most precise, specific words for clear, concise writing.

I love the Synonym Finder so much I devoted a video to it: http://www.yourwritelife.com/2009/09/24-video-my-fave-book-for-writers/

Lots of great selections posted here. I could easily vote for everyone of those too, but I’m sticking with the Synonym Finder as my all-time take to it to the deserted island book.
Debra Marrs’s blog …The Secrets of Publishing Success – Jane Friedman’s 2009 Tough Love Guide

By: MeiLin Miranda

MeiLin Miranda — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:01:03 +0000

Hands down, “Reading like a Writer,” by Francine Prose. It has given me the ability to break down why a piece of writing is good, and there’s no better way to learn.
MeiLin Miranda’s blog …Emphasize/leverage strengths + offset/reverse weaknesses = overall strategy

By: Dawn Herring

Dawn Herring — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:45:31 +0000

This is a follow up to my previous post. The other book I was thinking of is Write Away by Elizabeth George. She had some very keen insight into the connections of scenes throughout the novel, which helps to avoid holes in the story arc. It’s definitely worth the read.
Dawn Herring’s blog …Unboxed

By: Randal Baier

Randal Baier — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:18:58 +0000

The Letters of Dalton Trumbo.

By: John Hewitt

John Hewitt — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:30:41 +0000

This Business of Writing — Gregg Levoy
John Hewitt’s blog …30 Poems in 30 Days 2009: Day Fifteen

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:56:39 +0000

Meryl –

I’ve read and re-read Steven Pressfield’s “The War of Art” about overcoming resistance.

By: Anysia (Booklorn on Twitter)

Anysia (Booklorn on Twitter) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:54:23 +0000

David Morrell’s Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing doesn’t get enough attention. I feel a need to mention it when people start mentioning King’s book.

I’m currently reviewing Jessica Page Morrell’s new book which is excellent. Her older book Between the Lines: The Subtle Elements of Fiction Writing is excellent for editing/polishing a draft (it’s probably good for the first draft too, but I never remember to consider too many intricacies in the first draft as I’m too busy trying to get words on paper so that I have something to edit).

By: Bill Harper

Bill Harper — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:19:20 +0000

An oldie, but a goodie: “Make Your Words Work” by Gary Provost.
Bill Harper’s blog …R.E.S.P… er, can I phone a friend?

By: lara

lara — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:22:06 +0000

I’ve been wracking my brain but keep coming back to Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. I know it’s already on the list, but it’s just THAT good!

By: Lisa Sparks

Lisa Sparks — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:08:43 +0000

Elements of Style by Strunk and White.

A classic!
Lisa Sparks’s blog …Power Speaking Tip #3