Our Favorite Writing Books
How about yours?

If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write.
                                     —(Stephen King, On Writing, p. 147)

What's your favorite book about writing? We're interested in general writing books as well as books about writing erotica. What books have helped you the most?

I'll go first: Although I have many favorites, I'm particularly fond of How to Read/Write a Dirty Story by Susie Bright. If I were to teach a class in writing smut, this would be the textbook. In the general arena, I like anything by John Gardner, including The Art of Fiction.  

How about you?   —J.Z. Sharpe

Interested in this topic? 
Follow the Participation image and share your thoughts with us.

From Emma Keigh
Lawrence Block's books, Telling Lies for Fun and Profit, and The Novel: From Plot to Print both have been very helpful to me, and I had the opportunity to meet him at a local signing. He frequently tells how he started his career writing lesbian erotica before selling the first of his several series mysteries. I recall he also said he never learned so much about good writing than the year he spent reading slush pile submissions.

From Lisabet Sarai
I don't tend to read books about writing. As most of you know, I don't believe in "rules" that work for everyone. Also I find that the more I consciously concentrate on craft, the more I strangle the life out of my inspiration. For me, the challenge is to make the craft unconscious and intuitive.

I did try reading Susie Bright's book—for one thing, I was curious to check on the state of Print-on-Demand quality at that point (5 years ago)—and I gave up half-way through due to annoyance at her superior tone.

The articles on ERWA are a tremendous resource, though. I've learned a lot from them, especially from Tulsa's Beyond the Basics series (which is now in reprise) and M. Christian's now-defunct literary streetwalker series. Amie's recent write-up on dialogue was excellent. I'd rather read one author's suggestions about a specific problem or issue than try to swallow some writer's massive prescription for success or quality. 

[The above mentioned series are in the Author Resource section of ERWA]

During the last three months I have been teaching writing (research writing) to grad students. I've found that to be a wonderful learning experience. It hasn't helped much with creativity questions, but it has refocused me on the essential prerequisite of clarity.

Just my two cents. I do find it interesting to read authors' descriptions of their inner states and motivations while writing—but that's more voyeurism than a desire for self-improvement.

From Ishmael Goat
I think this is a great topic; however, I again find myself in the contrarian position. Lisabet wrote that she doesn't like rules. I love rules, but find that practitioners have contradictory rules, so I keep having my own "short circuits" when confronted with contradictory rules.

Firstly, I don't make a distinction between smut and other writings. I'll read the Susie Bright sometime, I guess, but to me a story is a story.

Secondly, I can't even find my copy of Strunk and White. I broke the binding on one from throwing it into a wall. I think the last copy went out a window. Why? Oversimplification on that order was what I got from the Baltimore Catechism. That's another story.

I think for guidance I'll go to Hamlet. Like poles holding up tomato bushes, there is great writing/acting advice. Start with "Speak the speech I pray you" to the whole discussion of "More matter, Less Art" around Polonius' pontificating. All the comments around the play within the play including the bit about the lady protesting too much supports the ideas of simplicity. The joke, however, is that this is all within a play as complex as any Bach Fugue. The Bard doesn't follow his own advice, except when he does.

From Teresa Lamai
This is a great topic. One book I've always enjoyed is Becker's Writing for Social Scientists -- although it's intended for academic writers (I think mostly students), I find it has the best description I've seen anywhere of how a reader becomes a writer, complete with frank discussions of the fear and uncertainty that come with writing, and how to work through multiple drafts.

Margaret Atwood's website has a great section entitled "On Writing," with an article about the road to publication. Also, I've just started reading her book on writing (actually based on her lecture series) called Negotiating with the Dead. The first chapter has a wonderful description of the split personalities writers must maintain! Reminded me of discussions here!

From J.T. Benjamin
I liked Block's books so much (including "Spider, Spin Me A Web") I reviewed them all for ERWA's website. Also reviewed "On Writing" by Stephen King. All favorites. I've read them all numerous times.

When I got to see Block at a signing, I first gave him my copy of "Small Town" (his then-latest) to autograph in my own name, then when I gave him "Spider," "Telling Lies," and "The Novel: From Plot to Print," I asked him to sign them to J.T. Benjamin. He did so and gave me what I can only describe as a knowing smile. I'm not easily wowed, but it was a "wow" moment for me.

Another of my favorite books is Isaac Asimov's autobiography, "I. Asimov," published just after he died. Just finished re-reading it last month. I've actually got so many books on writing in my library they've all tended to run together for me. I've lately found more value and entertainment reading books about writers and not so much about writing per se.

From Keziah Hill
Still in moving and internet chaos, but just had to contribute Jack Bickham's Scene and Structure. The transition from one scene to another and the structure of scenes is something I have trouble with so this book helped. Many of the others mentioned helped too for different reasons. Natalie Goldberg is useful for dropping back into the pleasure of writing when it becomes dull and routine.

From Rhonda S. Davis
I would have to say that Stephen King's "On Writing" is my favorite writing book. As I aspire to be write erotic horror and\or mainstream horror....That one has been the most helpful....I read many erotic stories and that has helped most with writing erotica.

From Rose B. Thorny
I am so woefully underread when it comes to books on writing. Read a couple years ago, one of which is packed away in one of the dozens of boxes still left unopened since we moved here...almost 10 years ago now. I think one of them is called simply, "Good Writing." Have read lots of issues of Writers Digest with all the tips in those.

I finally finished reading Stephen King's "On Writing," not that long ago and loved every word of it, but then I'm one of his "constant readers" (have been since '74), so that is no surprise. Rather liked his point about just writing and to stop reading about writing. What I like about his advice...succinct and no BS. Also liked the idea of learning the most about writing by reading, which I do. I think the point he makes at the very beginning of the section on actually writing is that first you need to know the nuts and bolts. Grammar and punctuation and how to make use of the language to its best advantage.

Those are tools. Without the tools, it's a lot harder to build anything. So, of the very few books I have read on writing, well, "On Writing," is my favourite.

I don't have any degrees in journalism or English, or so forth (in fact, only have two high school diplomas -- one in arts and science, one in business -- and some community college courses under my belt...bra?) and I know I sound pathetically uneducated in the art of writing, but I do know who I like reading, and Lawrence Block is a favourite of mine whose books on writing I have not yet read, but wish to. However, I have read most of his novels and love his style.

"Small Town" is a novel about a writer and it is fascinating because it has quite a bit of imbedded advice about writing (It also has some lovely, juicy erotic episodes, which was a very pleasant surprise indeed.)

I haven't read any books at all on writing erotica. Guess I oughta, huh?

Perhaps the best books about writing aren't books about writing at all. In many cases, written examples are the best "how to" going (or in not just a few instances...how not to).

From Amanda Earl
Yes to Bright for smut writin'

Anne Lamotte's Bird By Bird: a journal about a writer's life but full of tips

David Lodge's Art of Fiction: discussions of the process with excerpts from classic literary fiction;

Chris Baty's No Plot? No Problem: For NaNoWriMo novel writing in 30 days, but with sound advice, esp. on characterization

Jack Hodgin's A Passion For Narrative: more traditional techniques and explanations

Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down The Bones: exercises and meanderings

Gayle Brandeis Fruitflesh: Seeds of Inspiration for Women Who Write: exercises and meanderings

June and William Noble Steal This Plot: A Writer's Guide to Story Structure & Plagiarism: 15 plots

Rebecca McClanahan's Word Painting: for learning how to describe things

Ursula K. Le Guin's Steering The Craft: excerpts and exercises, very much like a workshop.

And for poetry: Frances Mayes' A Field Guide To Poetry is my fav.

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