Best writing books?

Question

I've always been interested in writing short stories or a novel and I took a few writing classes in college, but now that I'm out, I'm having a hard time finding motivation and inspiration. Any tips for me from someone who's been there? Any book recos that might help spark some creativity with some exercises or give me ideas on how to start? Thanks!

Answer 1

vin ploile

Answer 2

I guess you'll have to assign yourself some homework! If you were only motivated and inspired in school, you need to learn how to become your own teacher and be your own class. Do you have a notebook ready?

Write ten things you remember about yesterday. No meals. If you find ten things come too easily to you, make it fifteen or twenty.
You should get into the position of truly thinking hard about yesterday... about just a color and how often you saw it and on what kinds of things. People are okay to put on the list as long as a short description follows.
Actions-- great for the list; include the when,where, who, what and why. And things you really have to stretch for: how a grocery cart looked in the parking lot, a newly planted tree, that thing in the second-hand shop or Walmart that caught you attention for a few minutes but you didn't buy it... That kind of list.

Then choose what interests you most and that is your assignment... write a short story about that thing. Embroider, imagine, just write as you were taught to in the college classes. I think you'll find that inspiration can be found in many places if one just takes the time to pay attention and think of things when at home as the beginning of a story.

Keep your original list, it may be hard fought for, and you don't want to lose what you've gained. Add to it whenever something new catches your attention.
Hope this helps; it has helped me.

Answer 3

I've been a short story writer for years (never sent anything in for publication...I've been the eternal McFly). I finally started on a novel within the last few months. I've read just about every book out there that has to do with writing. The only two that "spoke" to me were Stephen King's On Writing and Terry Brooks Sometime's the Magic Works. It was a mixture of their advise and real world experience that did it for me.

Answer 4

You might try a subscription to Writers Digest magazine. If you can't afford a subscription, the magazine may be available at your local library.

Any basic English (grammar) book will be helpful, but other than that, the best advice depends on what type of writing you will be doing. Each type (short story, novel) has different needs.

Answer 5

I think Edgar Allen Poe is one of the best short-story writers of all time, but he is very dark in his work. Fyodor Dostoevsky is a good writer as well, so try one of them for inspiration.

Also, they say the best writers write what they know. So try pulling a story from your real life, or someone that you know. I read "On Writing" by Stephen King and it helped me get back into my book just as I was getting writer's block.

If none of this helps, try doing typical things. Sitting in a beautiful setting as you write (like the beach or a park), look at paintings, things like that. Hopefully the inspiration will come.

Good luck! Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Stephen King's On Writing is a must. So is the book "The First Five Pages". They will help you tremendously.

Also, this is one of the internet's best kept secrets when it comes to writing. This is a free online writing course posted by a UCLA Creative Writing professor.

http://distancelearn.about.com/od/isitforyou/a/WritingClass.htm

Here are two others.

http://www.write101.com/nouns.htm

http://eagleforumu.org/eagleforumu/

I am going to put my free course back online soon, too. It is called Writers' Boot Camp.

Pax - C

Answer 7

Go to the bookstore or a large magazine place and buy a copy of Writer's Digest. There is no better publication anywhere that helps aspiring novelists or short story writers or poets to get published. Established writers and poets of all stripes write articles for this magazine and give you their insight to help you become better at what you like to do.