I want to get my sister a book about writing fiction for christmas, but there are so many, I don't know which ones are best. She is a teenager and really into fiction writing. She is definitely a beginner, she really hasn't written that much. But she does have really good ideas for books, so I think it would be cool to give some guidence. I'd appreciate any suggestions for books that are current, inspirational, and knowledgable that will teach her the basics and more. Also, I have a $20 budget for her. Is there anything else that I could get her to go along with a book? I have no idea, but suggestions are welcome.
Thanks for your time! I appreciate any answers.
2007-12-13 05:23:51 · 6 answers · asked by GottaJustBe 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Books about how to write are pretty useless, even (or perhaps especially) for a beginner. There are lots of these out there, and if you really want to get her something, I've heard that Stephen King's book "On Writing" (or something like that) is good. Also look at "One Writer's Beginnings" by Eudora Welty. It's more of a memoir, but she's a great writer, and your sister might get more use and enjoyment out of it than a how-to book.
You could also think about getting her a cool blank book for her to actually write in. I love them, they're portable, and I think a bit more ... inspiring than a computer screen. I liked lined pages, myself, but they also come with blank pages.
2007-12-13 05:33:12 · answer #1 · answered by Elissa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I loved Stephen's Kings On Writing. I got it in hard cover when it first came out (I was a teen at the time) and it's really well written. It held my attention and most books about writing are too dull for me to finish. I would definitely look at that one. It's available in soft cover at a much lower price. http://www.amazon.ca/Writing-Stephen-King/dp/0743455967/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197579718&sr=8-1
To go with the book, why don't you buy her a really nice pen and a nice note book? I wouldn't get a journal because they're too small, but you can buy nice hardcovered notebooks that are the 8.5 x 11 size. I love the ones that have inspirational quotes on the front.
Another idea might be a writing exercise book. There's a great one called the Writer's Block, and it's actually a very small book in the shape of a block. Every page has a different exercise on it to help sharpen your skills. I used to have it and would do one a day - you can just open the book to any page and do that exercise.
2007-12-13 08:05:18 · answer #2 · answered by tink 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Marshall Plan workbook
There is a book and also a workbook, but the workbook is cheaper and very practical. It is step by step plan of how to plot your novel, and it is an excellent tool for a beginning writer of any age.
2007-12-13 05:54:35 · answer #3 · answered by greengo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One book that helped me out in my writing is 'Your First Novel' by Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb. Good advice. It covers writing and publishing.
~Tiger
2007-12-13 05:31:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeha you could probabally get them like a diary or journal, to help write stories.
2007-12-13 06:31:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Telling Lies for Fun and Profit" by Lawrence Block is one good book on the topic.
2007-12-13 05:43:34 · answer #6 · answered by classmate 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋