The Five Books Every Writer Should Read
It's not an MFA...but it's a start.
In today's podcast episode, I interview USA Today bestselling author Blair Babylon. It was such a great conversation. Can't wait to share it with you!
During the podcast, we talked a lot about the famous (or maybe infamous) Iowa Writer's Workshop. I did not attend this prestigious program, but I sure did consider it. During schooling in America, we spend a lot of time reading and writing essays, but not learning a lot about creative writing.
I'd considered Iowa because I was hoping to get that sprinkle of Iowan magical fairy dust that would make me write as well as some of my favorite authors. In a twist of fate, I went to law school instead. But the moment I graduated three years later, I was back to writing in its many forms.
It's something, I think, I learned on the job.
There were, however, some books that have assisted me along the way. They've made not only my writing better, but have made me a better storyteller. For all the rest of us who didn't have intensive writing programs, I wanted to share what helped me.
Goal Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon
This book is my bible. In every book I write, I get stuck in the middle. Then I turn to this. I create a 'GMC' chart for my main characters and the villain. After that, I figure out what my characters really want, then crack on with the second half of the book. Written by Debra Dixon, it distills the essence of what it takes to motivate characters in genre fiction. An interesting bit of trivia, Dixon was a 1992 RWA Golden Heart finalist, a book that sold to the first iteration of Loveswept.
On Writing by Stephen King
Master of horror, Stephen King's entry into this arena is a contemplative book. It's definitely not a book only about the ABCs of writing. After all, there is a chapter on English mechanics. I see it as more of a memoir though, kind of a love letter to writing. King wrote this book after an accident he thought might end his career and it shares some of the kind of wisdom one confers after facing a near-death experience.
The Secrets of Story by Matt Bird
This book was a surprise. I don't know how it came to be on my shelves, but it's one of the best books I have read on what it takes to make stories compelling. After re-reading Bird's descriptions of what makes gripping fiction, ideas on how to change my own pop up like mushrooms.
Story Genius by Lisa Cron
Years ago I met Cron (I think my book is autographed) at a writing seminar. What I love about her books and worksheets is that she gets at the essential elements without which an author's fiction can remain wanting. I don't outline, so ignored all those portions of this book. The rest, plus all the free resources she offers, is gold.
Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes
When I was in college and preparing my thesis proposal, I wish this book had been by my side. Back then analysis of genre fiction was nascent. In one way or another, Hayes has been active in the romance community for a long time. This little book, emphasis on tiny, is a big powerhouse. It breaks down what every romance needs to succeed. No more. No less.
Honorable mention:
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder. There are four different iterations of this series, the first penned by the late Blake Snyder. There's even a Save the Cat Writes a Novel from fellow Smithie Jessica Brody. In my opinion, the best of the bunch is Save the Cat Strikes Back, though all are worth a read.
Each of these has prime real estate on my bookshelf. Some are even autographed! Their collective wisdom is not an entire MFA, but it's a start.
Aime Austin was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Smith College and Cornell Law School. She is the author of the Casey Cort and Nicole Long series of legal thrillers. Aime is also the host of the podcast, A Time to Thrill. When she's not writing crime fiction or interviewing brilliant creators, she's in a yoga pose, knitting, or reading. Aime splits her time between Los Angeles and Budapest. Before writing, Aime practiced family and criminal law in Cleveland, Ohio. Links provide affiliate income to the author at no cost to you, the reader.