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Where Authors Go to Get Help

I often hear from people who want to write a book but don’t know how or where to begin. Or from people who have already written a book that’s ready for publication but don’t know how to get it published. I recently began a new blog series, Writing and Publishing Tips From Authors Around the World, to help writers.

The twenty-third contributor is me. I’m a U.S. author and my article, Where Authors Go to Get Help, is about books on writing.

Ever since I began writing, I’ve been reading books on writing. I think I’ve probably read almost all of them–at least the ones available in the book stores. Then, a few months ago I bought a Kindle and discovered another world of writing books that may not be available in the big book stores. I highly recommend all of these books to new and experienced writers.

Here’s the list:

Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets A Novelist Can Learn From Actors by Brandilyn Collins–Just finished reading this one and loved it. Really makes you think about character development. http://amzn.com/B00WT4CE8G

Write Deep, Believable Characters by Karyn Henley–This one is about child development and personality types. The author talks about the Enneagram personality theory and shows how writers can use it to help develop their characters, plots, and themes. Great book! http://amzn.com/B00SYZQ9OY

Writing Plots With Drama, Depth, & Heart:Nail Your Novel by Roz Morris. I’m just starting to read this one. Looks really good. http://amzn.com/B00R3C22KO

Practical Emotional Structure by Jodi Henley–I’m reading this one now. It’s about creating characters and using subtext. http://amzn.com/B00D0ZI7HU

Beyond the First Draft Series: Part 1 by Linda Style–I read this a few months ago, and I think it’s a ‘must-read’ for novelists. http://amzn.com/B00SSJ2ZUS

Fire Up Your Fiction by Jodie Renner–Actually, I’ve read all of Jodie Renner’s books on writing craft (she has several). They’re all helpful and inspiring. http://amzn.com/B009BWWOR0

The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi.This one is a good reference manual to use while writing your book. http://amzn.com/B00822WM2M

The Writer’s A-Z of Body Language by Tim Ellis–Another good reference manual to use while writing your book. http://amzn.com/B00BDM62B0

Self-Publishing Attack! by James Scott Bell–A good book for authors getting ready to self-publish. http://amzn.com/B008AVXENQ

The Amateur Authorpreneur by Sarah Jane Butfield–A great book about marketing, for indie authors. http://amzn.com/B00X69T3QY

susanfinlay :

View Comments (7)

  • Another good source of information on writing. I intend to buy several of these books. Thank you again, Susan. Vicky

    • You're welcome, Vicky. I'm always looking for ways to learn, especially when it comes to writing. I hope you like those books.

  • Very helpful books and I've read most of them. I recently passed the 300 mark--300 publishers or literary agents have rejected my manuscript of a woman with multiple personality who becomes a serial killer. Several who actually responded just said it didn't grab them but their opinion is subjective. It all seems peculiar for an author like myself who has published over fifty pieces of fiction and nonfiction in lit journals such as the Gettysburg and Connecticut Reviews. Leaves one totally perplexed and all the writing books don't help. Hard to start the next manuscript.

    • Just because they've rejected your books, that doesn't mean your books aren't good. Keep writing!

  • Thanks for including my Fire up Your Fiction in this list, Susan! :-)